1990 Chianti Classico Bellavista Gran Selezione

The 1990 Chianti Classico Vigneto Bellavista is one of the greatest wines ever made in Italy. It shows the classicism of the wines of the 1980s, but with a little more depth, power and muscle. Layers of dark fruit build to the effortless, gracious finish. Today the 1990 is still an infant. The tannins have begun to soften, but the aromatics remain quite vibrant. This is an extraordinary wine by any measure. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2032. This vertical of Castello di Ama’s flagship Chianti Classico Vigneto Bellavista was one of the more remarkable tastings I have ever had the privilege of participating in. From his very first vintage, 1982, Marco Pallanti was clearly onto something big. Readers still lucky enough to own that wine are in for a real treat. The single-vineyard Bellavista is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Malvasia Nera, a combination of indigenous grapes that works beautifully. The early vintages included a dollop of Canaiolo that was planted in the vineyard up until 1988, when it was ripped out in favor of the Merlot that would go on to produce L’Apparita. I also tasted the 2011 Bellavista in barrel, the first since 2007, and a year that it resembles from a stylistic standpoint. Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Bellavista Key Points: 1. 80% Sangiovese/20% Malvasia Nera aged in French oak barrels 2. Made from Ama’s Bellavista vineyard, a high-altitude plot in Castellina 3. A powerful, intense Chianti Classico 4. Aging potential: 20-30 years