Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 'Bellavista' 2022

Originating from Italy in the Tuscany region, specifically within the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG appellation in Gaiole in Chianti, Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 'Bellavista' 2022 represents an historic, majestic, and legendary single-vineyard expression of Tuscan Sangiovese. First produced in 1978, Vigneto Bellavista is recognized as one of the very first single-vineyard cru bottlings in Chianti Classico history. Sourced from a renowned 5.56 hectare parcel situated at nearly 500 metres elevation with stony clay-limestone and galestro soils, the winemaking philosophy under winemaker Marco Pallanti combines meticulous hand harvesting, co-fermentation of varieties in ambient temperature-controlled vats with native yeasts, and aging in fine French oak barriques (approximately 40% new) for around 15 months. The result is a Gran Selezione of monumental depth, aristocratically structured tannins, and profound high-altitude elegance.

Wine Description

The wine presents an opaque, deep dark ruby red colour with intense garnet reflections along the rim. An expressive, highly complex bouquet opens with noble aromas of ripe dark cherry, wild blackberry, black plum, and blood orange, interwoven with sophisticated notes of crushed dried rose petals, forest floor, pipe tobacco, graphite, leather, and refined French oak spice. On the palate, it is full bodied, multi-layered, and dense, delivering concentrated flavours of dark red berry fruit jam, tart cherry curd, and savory mineral earth, all supported by a bright, mouthwatering spine of natural acidity. Framed by rich, fine-grained, firm galestro tannins and a deep, coat-the-mouth mid-palate structure, it concludes with an extraordinarily long, persistent finish marked by lingering red fruit, dried Mediterranean herbs, and a chalky mineral grip. Composed primarily of Sangiovese co-fermented with Malvasia Nera, this 2022 release offers an optimal drinking window of 2028–2050+. Stylistically, it combines Gaiole's classic floral finesse and high-elevation tension with powerful Gran Selezione structure and extraordinary cellaring capability.