Wine Outlet Castello di Ama Chianti Classico 2003

Robert Parker 89 points - Ama’s 2003 Chianti Classico is a powerful, super-ripe effort. A dark ruby, it presents sweet dark cherry and tobacco notes on an ample frame, with excellent concentration on the palate although the finish is marked by the hard tannins of the vintage. The wine did soften somewhat with air, yet my impression is that it will provide its best drinking relatively early. In 2003 Ama did not produce its single-vineyard wines and the estate’s best fruit ended up in the normal bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015. (Jun 2007)

Wine Spectator 90 points - Intensely fruity nose with crushed raspberries and plums. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and velvety tannins. This is exceptional for the vintage. Ama sets the high water mark for quality Chianti Classico. Best after 2005. 12,000 cases made. –JS (Oct 31 2005)

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Producer

Founded in 1972, Castello di Ama sits 12 miles northeast of Siena in the hills of Gaiole. The property is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Marco Pallanti and Lorenza Sebasti. Marco was a young viticulturalist who in a very few years had become one of the most highly respected winemakers in Tuscany. He began to experiment with non-traditional varieties such as Merlot, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, to enhance the concept of cru wines (introducing Vigneto Bellavista, Vigneto La Casuccia and L’Apparita) and to utilize small oak barrels. In 2003, he was crowned Oenologist of the Year by Vini d’Italia, published by Gambero Rosso and Slow Food. Over the past 30-40 years, he replanted all of the vineyards and upgraded all of the winemaking capabilities to make this one of Tuscany’s showcase producers. 90 hectares are planted to vines at an average altitude of 480 meters with a southern exposure and clay-calcareous soils. The obsessive dedication to quality in both the vineyard and winery has made Castello di Ama not only one of Tuscany’s greatest wine producers, but one of the finest wineries in the world.