Chianti Gran Selezione, Castello Di Ama, Siena, IT, 2021

Top critical scores (2021 Castello di Ama Gran Selezione)

Bellavista (single vineyard)

• 100 pts – Ian D’Agata Wine Review: described as “spectacular,” with extraordinary depth, purity, and structure, and a long-lived aging window.
• 98 pts – Vinous (Antonio Galloni): dense, powerful Sangiovese with graphite, lavender, mint, and dark fruit; extremely structured and ageworthy.
• 97 pts – Decanter: praised for complexity and precision, balancing intensity with finesse.

Overall critical consensus: elite-level Gran Selezione, built for long aging (2027–2045+).

La Casuccia (single vineyard)

• 98 pts – Vinous: sensual and deep with rose petal, blood orange, spice, and silky tannins; powerful but refined.
• 95 pts – Wine Spectator: structured, earthy, long finish with excellent aging potential.

Overall consensus: more floral and lifted than Bellavista, still very structured but slightly more expressive early on.

San Lorenzo (estate Gran Selezione blend)

• 99 pts – James Suckling: perfumed black cherry, violets, full-bodied, extremely polished tannins.
• 97 pts – Kerin O’Keefe: precise, elegant, layered with cherry, spice, citrus peel, and balsamic complexity.
• 94–95 pts range (Vinous, WS, etc.): consistently high marks across critics.

Overall consensus: the most approachable and immediately charming of the trio, while still serious and structured.

Overall professional assessment (2021 vintage)

Across major critics (Vinous, Decanter, Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, Suckling, Ian D’Agata):

• Vintage quality: Exceptional, widely considered one of the best modern Chianti Classico vintages
• Style: Powerful yet increasingly refined Sangiovese (less rustic, more precise)
• Common tasting notes:
  • Black cherry, blackberry, plum
  • Rose, violet, blood orange
  • Graphite, crushed stone, spice, herbs
• Structure: High acidity + firm tannins → strong aging potential
• Scores range: typically 95–100 points for top bottlings