PNP at friends with pizza and initially dry as would expect...it opened with time and started to round out but then we had to leave and I left the bottle so not really sure how it ended up. I imagine pretty nice
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Drank this bottle at home (as opposed to at a restaurant last bottle). Decanted for about 15 minutes and enjoyed over dinner + 3 hours throughout the night. Deep ruby color. Wonderful nose of dark berry jam preserves and dried fig balanced against some dusty mineral/iodine/funk; very inviting. Palate is full bodied, coats the tongue nicely. The higher alcohol and acidity are balanced well with notes of tart black cherry, blackberry, roasted tomato on the front palate that give way to earthy balsamic, iodine (lead?), and dried floral hints across the mid palate. Finish of slightly drying, soft leathery tannins on the middle of the tongue; well integrated; finish lasts 5-6 seconds. Overall a great wine, enough complexity and depth to give it good QPR. Paired well with a beef ragu.
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(Castello di Ama Chianti Classico) Dark red violet color; nice ripe berry, blackberry nose with depth; tight but tasty berry, black raspberry, tart raspberry, tart black fruit palate with medium acidity, depth and grip, needs 3-plus years; medium-plus finish 91+ points (25-30% new oak)
(CHIANTI CLASSICO Castello Ama) Chianti Dear Friends, This is the time of year when I try to accommodate as many requests as possible, even if they do not fit my central theme of unknown/terroir/high QPR (with a corresponding story of significance that makes the wine worth our attention). Today’s offer takes care of a stack of requests that have built up since the summer of 2009, so here you go... Castello di Ama has a large and vocal following around the world but the US remains somewhat of an enigma for them. They’ve always had a presence here but high prices and a style that demands significant bottle age results in a conundrum for sommeliers and consumers in this country. In general, most young wine from Ama tends toward the dramatic and deeply pitched with a rough-hewn quercous component that requires at least a decade of age to integrate and add complexity to the whole. In youth, this burly and wood-rich character can fool the oenophile into turning the other cheek – that is a shame. The wines are made for the long-haul (not for next Tuesday night) and the collector should treat them the same as a top vintage of Bordeaux. Given the requisite cellar time, Castello di Ama remains one of the more accomplished thoroughbreds in Tuscany on par with the most established names of the region (a hiccup appears to be the 1990 vintage, which goes against common perception). With that as a backdrop, enter 2007 – a growing season that has a chance to change the perception of the winery in a hurry...especially the Chianti Classico “Castello di Ama” – a result that will encourage many a summersault down the road. Much like the rest of Tuscany in 2007 (versus 2006), the entire portfolio of Ama is more accessible in youth with a fun-house meets regal framework that does not come around very often. As a side note – after tasting many of the top Tuscan wines for a second and third time (since the spring), the 2007 vintage reminds me more and more of the 2007 campaign in Châteauneuf-du-Pape – both vintages show a “balanced opulence” and high-volume persona that give the taster a giggle-inducing level of acrobatics (while retaining a defined sense of reflection that keeps the wine honest). If you are into the pleasure of wine (as we most certainly are not – that was supposed to be tongue in cheek?) this vintage calls to the well-bred thrill-seeker who still demands his or her spelunking trip up Kilimanjaro end each evening with a down duvet and Champagne toast. ONE SHIPMENT ONLY at this price with perfect provenance (I haven’t been able to do any price checking but all should be as low as the prices in Italy, or even lower). 2007 Castelli di Ama Chianti Classico “Castello di Ama” - 2007 Castello di Ama Vigna L’Apparita - 2007 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico “Bellavista” - 2007 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico “La Casuccia” - Please give us your maximum number up to 24 x Chianti Classico, 12 x L’Apparita, 12 x Bellavista and 12 x La Casuccia and we will allocate accordingly To order: niki@garagistewine.com This parcel is set to arrive in 2-3 weeks (please check OARS for local pick up after Jan 15th). All will ship during the Spring shipping season. Out of state orders will be held for free under ideal storage conditions (56 degrees/70%humidity) until shipping is possible. Locals may pick up at their leisure. For current local pick up and arrival/ship information, please see your OARS link below (at the bottom of this offer) - don’t know how to access your OARS? Simply click the link and see your account. You can also paste the link into your browser. If you are having trouble with your link or your account, please contact: support@garagistewine.com NO SALES TO RETAILERS OR WHOLESALERS Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Click here to view the status of your orders in O.A.R.S.
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1/10/2023 - JJKinch wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit (cherry, black cherry), tobacco, earth, nice spice, slight floral, good acidity. Lingering finish. Really enjoyable.
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3/21/2022 - Mr T wrote:
PNP at friends with pizza and initially dry as would expect...it opened with time and started to round out but then we had to leave and I left the bottle so not really sure how it ended up. I imagine pretty nice
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4/28/2020 - czar33 wrote: 87 Points
Correct, prêt, pas remarquable.
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11/17/2019 - battytaxicab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Gave this a long time to open and it paid dividends. Rich, earthy tones still with plenty of ripeness.
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7/21/2019 - dlowrey99 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank this bottle at home (as opposed to at a restaurant last bottle). Decanted for about 15 minutes and enjoyed over dinner + 3 hours throughout the night.
Deep ruby color. Wonderful nose of dark berry jam preserves and dried fig balanced against some dusty mineral/iodine/funk; very inviting.
Palate is full bodied, coats the tongue nicely. The higher alcohol and acidity are balanced well with notes of tart black cherry, blackberry, roasted tomato on the front palate that give way to earthy balsamic, iodine (lead?), and dried floral hints across the mid palate. Finish of slightly drying, soft leathery tannins on the middle of the tongue; well integrated; finish lasts 5-6 seconds. Overall a great wine, enough complexity and depth to give it good QPR. Paired well with a beef ragu.
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