The 2018 Castello di Ama Haiku Toscana IGT is a proprietary blend of primarily Sangiovese with supporting roles from Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This wine hails from Tuscany, Italy, and is known for its red color and cork closure. With an alcohol content of 13.0%, this medium-bodied red wine has garnered high praise from professional reviewers.
James Suckling awarded the 2018 Haiku a score of 94, noting its "very attractive blackberry and blueberry aromas" which follow through to "a full body with creamy tannins and a firm, racy finish." Suckling also highlights "hints of fresh herbs and nuts in the aftertaste," adding that while the wine is "very drinkable" now, it will be "even better in a year or two" (jamessuckling.com, 8/4/2021).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the wine an impressive 95 points. The review describes Haiku as "a blend of mostly Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc and Merlot in supporting roles," delivering "big richness and lovely concentration" without the fruit becoming too ripe. The review mentions that the vintage experienced "a few cooler weeks in early summer and some rain toward the end of the growing season," contributing to a "somewhat unexpected expression." The wine is praised for its "elegant, medium-bodied approach" and "fresh and lively fruit," along with "Cabernet Franc-driven aromas of black olive tapenade." It is noted as "distinctively Mediterranean in personality" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 10/7/2021).
Vinous also rated the 2018 Haiku with 95 points, calling it "fabulous" and possibly "the best vintage yet." The review praises the wine's "succulent dark cherry, plum, spice, new leather and spice" that build into "the resonant finish" (Vinous, 9/1/2021).
Wine Spectator awarded the wine a 92 score, describing it as "dark yet fluid and supple," with flavors of "black currant, blackberry, violet, cedar and a touch of bell pepper." The review notes that the wine is "dense and saturated with fruit on the finish," where "fine tannins emerge." The best drinking window is suggested to be from 2023 through 2035, with 75 cases imported (Wine Spectator, 9/30/2022).
Overall, the 2018 Castello di Ama Haiku Toscana IGT is a well-received and highly-rated wine, noted for its complexity, balance, and elegant expression.