Castello di Ama Haiku 2021

Perched in the hilltop hamlet of Ama in Gaiole in Chianti, in the southern-most reaches of Chianti Classico, Castello di Ama lies around 12 miles northeast of Siena. Founded in 1976 by four families who recognised the potential of its galestro-rich soils and exceptional microclimate, the estate brought new life to a property that had stood abandoned for over twenty years.

Today, Castello di Ama encompasses around 75 hectares of vineyards alongside 40 hectares of olive groves, and is led by Lorenza Sebasti, a member of the second generation of one of its founding families. Winemaking has long been entrusted to Marco Pallanti, who joined in 1982 and went on to serve as President of the Chianti Classico Consorzio, helping to shape both the estate’s identity and the wider region’s modern reputation.

95/100 - The 2021 Haiku is another powerhouse wine in this range from Castello di Ama. Rich, sumptuous and layered, the 2021 is beautifully persistent. Dark red/purplish fruit, pomegranate and rose petal open first, framed by clean mineral notes that lend palpable vibrancy. The long, sustained finish is a thing of beauty. Like all these wines, it needs considerable time. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

97/100 - Good deep ruby. Piercing blackcurrant aromas are complemented by violet, cedar, coffee, and Haiku’s typical note of pomegranate that I almost always find in this wine. The rich and layered, with suave if youthful tannins nicely framing the glossy red and blue fruit and herbal flavours. The long citrussy finish speaks of the limestone-rich soil. One of Ama’s most powerful but at the same time elegant wines, the Haiku is always a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot, but for some reason is always really dominated by its Cabernet Franc presence (planted in two 1.47 and 0.47 hectares plots in 2001). It’s no different in 2021. - Ian D'Agata