Castello di Ama L’Apparita 2020

L’Apparita, the first pure Merlot produced in Tuscany, has been an iconic wine since its initial harvest in 1985. Two parcels at the top of the Bellavista vineyard comprise the L’Apparita cru.

Vines were first planted in 1975 with Canaiolo and Malvasia Bianca, they have been replanted in 1982 with Merlot, using the clone nr 342. The open-lyre training system and predominately clay soil make this cru a crown jewel in world winemaking. Since the first vintage, this wine has maintained its unique expression in which the distinguishing features of Merlot are elevated by the terroir of Ama.

• Exposure: North-South
• Altitude: 1608 feet/490 meters
• Soils: Calcareous with clay
• Vineyard Area: 7.29 acres/2.95 Ha
• Vineyard initially planted to Canaiolo & Malvasia Blanca in 1975; replanted to Merlot in 1982
• Clone: Merlot NR 342
• Vine Planting Density: 2800 plants/ha
• Vine Training System: Open Lyre

• 1st quarter of 2020 without winter – clear, sunny days and no snow
• March brought lower temperatures and slowed growth
• Warmth of summer and soil moisture led to good maturation
• End August rain and September cool nights and warm days created good ripening and aromatic development
• Hand harvesting began in early-mid September, into 10kg crates
• Fermented using only indigenous yeasts at in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks from 86–91ºF for 28 days
• Manual pumpovers
• Wines racked and returned to tanks for malolactic fermentation
• Aged 14 months in 50% new, fine grained barriques, the balance in 2 year old barriques

Red-purple in the glass: impenetrable. A refined and elegant nose. Aromas of red and black fruits, violet and nuts. Extremely elegant with rich concentration, juicy and bright acidity. A beautifully long finish, wonderfully nuanced.

100% Merlot Clone 342; alcohol: 14.5%; L’Apparita cru is 2 parcels at top of Ama’s Bellvista vineyard; vines planted 1982; soils calcareous with clay; fermented with indigenous yeasts only, 28 day cuvaison; malolactic fermentation in tank, aged in thin-grained French oak barriques 50% new, 50% 2nd passage for 14 months.

• 100% Merlot
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Total Acidity: 5.43 g/l
• Residual Sugars: < 1 g/l
• Extract: 34.9 mg/l