2018 L'Apparita, Castello di Ama, Tuscany, Italy

The most widely planted grape in Bordeaux and a grape that has been on a relentless expansion drive throughout the world in the last decade. Merlot is adaptable to most soils and is relatively simple to cultivate. It is a vigorous naturally high yielding grape that requires savage pruning - over-cropped Merlot-based wines are dilute and bland. It is also vital to pick at optimum ripeness as Merlot can quickly lose its varietal characteristics if harvested overripe.

Castello di Ama is one of Tuscany's pre-eminent estates, responsible for wines of great finesse and filigree. Located close to Gaiole-in-Chianti at approx. 480 metres above sea level, the sixteenth century, 250 ha (90ha of vines) property is blessed with fine galestro and alberese stone soils and superior terroir. It has been owned by Lorenza Sebasti Pallanti's family since 1972. Her husband Marco Pallanti joining in 1982, coinciding with a period of renewed investment, notably that of increasing plant density to 5000/hectare, the introduction of some French varietals such as Merlot, and in 1992, the switch from ageing in large slavonian botti to French barriques. The core Castello di Ama range consists of a Chianti Classico, a blend of 80% Sangiovese 12% Canaiolo, 8% Malvasia Nera and Merlot from 30-44 year old vines, aged for 12 mths in 20% new French oak; Chianti Classico Vigneto La Casuccia is a single-vineyard blend of 80% Sangiovese 20% Merlot from an average 35 year old vines aged in 50% new French oak; Chianti Classico Vigneto Bellavista is a single-vineyard wine from clay-rich soils blending 80% Sangiovese 20% Malvasia Nera aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak and made only in exceptional years; L'Apparita is a mercurial, 100% Merlot from average 35 year-old vines aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak.