A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Haiku shows an inky dark appearance with black fruit aromas, dark granite, spice and iron ore. The 2020 vintage reveals an especially dark core of ripe fruit. The primary aromas are surrounded by spice, tarry smoke and leather. This edition is full-bodied and generous in only a manner 2020 can manage. This wine probably doesn't get the attention it deserves, but I suppose that's the downside of having a portfolio of so many other excellent wines.

The Castello di Ama 2019 Haiku is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Marco Pallanti calls it "the alter ego of San Lorenzo," and the association to Japanese poetry is meant to portray "something simple that means a lot," he tells me during my visit to the estate. However, the Tuscan imprint is very strong in this wine, and although Merlot suffers from a changing climate, the Cabernet Franc imparts a firm and lasting textural impact. The Sangiovese brings in ruby fruit, rose, herb and fresh acidity. The 2019 vintage is big-boned, but it moves with grace and precision.

A blend of mostly Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc and Merlot in supporting roles, the Castello di Ama 2018 Haiku is a very interesting and somewhat unexpected expression that delivers big richness and lovely concentration, yet the fruit is never too ripe. In fact, it might be a tad underripe in this vintage that saw a few cooler weeks in early summer and some rain toward the end of the growing season. In all, it shows careful balance with an elegant, medium-bodied approach that is propped up by fresh and lively fruit. There are some Cabernet Franc-driven aromas of black olive tapenade. Like the other wines in this portfolio, Haiku is distinctively Mediterranean in personality.

The Castello di Ama 2017 Haiku (a blend of Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc and Merlot in supporting roles) shows a rich and powerful center of gravity, all framed by lovely freshness and lots of rich fruit fiber. It sticks firmly to the palate with big fruit intensity, plum, blackberry, spice and cured tobacco. Haiku is a very unique wine within the context of Tuscany, and I'm not just referring to the unusual blend of grapes used here. This vintage offers darkness and a level of power that we don't usually associate with Tuscany. Yet, good context is given because the Sangiovese grape adds an authentic Tuscan touch and gives the wine a sense of place. A mere 6,000 bottles were made.

A blend of mostly Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2016 Haiku reveals a deep sense of inner power and strength. The wine opens to a dark appearance and immediately pleasing aromas of blackberry, plum, spice, tilled earth and tobacco. What I like most about this vintage is just how open and generous the bouquet is even at this young stage. You get some softly toned fruit, but you also get freshness at the back so everything balances itself out in the end.