97 points. - James Suckling
96 points. - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
96 points. - Wine Spectator
This is one of Tuscany’s most iconic collector wines — a pure Merlot from the high-altitude L’Apparita cru at the top of the Bellavista vineyard, first produced in 1985 and regarded by Castello di Ama as the first pure Merlot made in Tuscany. The 2021 is deep, powerful and beautifully refined, offering black cherry, cassis, plum, violet, lavender, liquorice, graphite, espresso, sweet spice and polished oak, with a rich yet fresh palate, seamless tannins and a long mineral-driven finish; this is a serious cellar wine, best with decanting or further ageing, and superb with bistecca alla Fiorentina, roast beef, lamb rack, venison, truffle dishes, aged pecorino and rich mushroom ragù.
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"The 2021 L'Apparita is sublime. A wine of compelling inner perfume and exotic richness, the 2021 is shaping up to be one of the great L'Apparitas. Inky dark fruit, espresso, licorice, lavender and crushed rocks abound in a towering, statuesque wine that will absolutely thrill those lucky enough to own it. It perfectly embodies all the greatest qualities of this historic vintage"
96 points. - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
96 points. - Wine Spectator
This is one of Tuscany’s most iconic collector wines — a pure Merlot from the high-altitude L’Apparita cru at the top of the Bellavista vineyard, first produced in 1985 and regarded by Castello di Ama as the first pure Merlot made in Tuscany. The 2021 is deep, powerful and beautifully refined, offering black cherry, cassis, plum, violet, lavender, liquorice, graphite, espresso, sweet spice and polished oak, with a rich yet fresh palate, seamless tannins and a long mineral-driven finish; this is a serious cellar wine, best with decanting or further ageing, and superb with bistecca alla Fiorentina, roast beef, lamb rack, venison, truffle dishes, aged pecorino and rich mushroom ragù.
.
"The 2021 L'Apparita is sublime. A wine of compelling inner perfume and exotic richness, the 2021 is shaping up to be one of the great L'Apparitas. Inky dark fruit, espresso, licorice, lavender and crushed rocks abound in a towering, statuesque wine that will absolutely thrill those lucky enough to own it. It perfectly embodies all the greatest qualities of this historic vintage"
100 points. - Vinous