A tight, polished red with a very beautiful texture of firm, polished yet integrated tannins. Full-bodied with plenty of subtle dark-berry and chocolate character. Hints of walnuts, too. Flavorful finish. A little tight at the end, but already really delicious. Serious young Gran Selezione. Drink or hold.

Smooth and delicious, this compelling red offers delicately enticing scents of dark-skinned fruit, pressed rose, violet and cedar. Boasting layers of flavor, the smooth palate is all about finesse, delivering ripe plum, spiced berry, licorice and crushed mint before a mocha close. Velvety tannins and fresh acidity provide seamless support and balance. Drink 2023–2033.

Castello di Ama’s ‘estate’ Gran Selezione brings together fruit from its high-altitude vineyards of Bellavista, Casuccia, San Lorenzo and Montebuoni – all in Gaiole. The future direction of this wine is uncertain as it is blended with a small percentage of Merlot, which will no longer be permitted at the Gran Selezione level. It is delightfully scented with cherry, rosehip and lilac atop brushwood and forest undergrowth. Elegantly proportioned, the palate is mineral driven, vertical in extension and gracious in its execution. Oak provides a sophisticated, understated frame melding well with finessed tannins. There's a charming finale of blood orange notes. (Drink between 2022-2032)

The Castello di Ama 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo is one of the most distinctive wines in the ample portfolio offered by this estate. I always seem to find a balsamic note in the San Lorenzo Sangiovese (a blend of some of the property's best fruit, with a touch of Merlot and Malvasia Nera thrown in), and it definitely comes through in this vintage with grilled rosemary and even a touch of black olive. This wine is truly Mediterranean in spirit and it boasts an all-Italian identity. Its supple, mid-weight texture is amplified by elegant fruit and spice. And the wine's fresh acidity makes it the ideal pairing partner with your favorite Tuscan pasta or pici recipes. - ML

The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Ama San Lorenzo is a deep, potent wine. Black cherry, gravel, smoke, licorice, chocolate, spice infuse the San Lorenzo with tons of dark Sangiovese character. A heady, muscular wine, the 2019 exudes tremendous richness. I would give it a few years. The 2018 is a wine of aromatic intrigue and intensity. - ANtonio Galloni

The 2018 vintage of San Lorenzo from Castello di Ama comes in at 13.5 percent alcohol in this year and was raised in twenty-two percent new oak casks during its elevage. The wine is made from a cépages of eighty percent sangiovese, thirteen percent merlot and seven percent malvasia nera. The superb bouquet offers up a complex constellation of red and black cherries, coffee bean, a complex base of soil tones, spit-roasted gamebird, plenty of fresh oregano, woodsmoke and a nice touch of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and shows off beautiful depth at the core, with fine soil signature and grip, ripe, buried tannins, tangy acids and excellent length on the focused, complex and perfectly balanced finish. This is simply outstanding, single vineyard Chianti!

Supple at first and saturated with blackberry, dark plum and violet flavors, this red turns more tannic midpalate. gaining steam through the finish. Earth and iron elements chime in, and the ripe fruit returns on the ironclad finish. Sangiovese, Merlot and Malvasia Nera. Best from 2025 through 2037.