One of the fine houses based in Tuscany, Querciabella produces a gorgeous range of wines everywhere from Maremma to Chianti. The name Querciabella means ‘beautiful oak’ as the estate dates back to 1988 when Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni, an investor and entrepreneur, converted the family estate to organic viticulture in 1988, making Querciabella one of the first wineries in Italy to employ this practice. Under his leadership, Querciabella became known as one of Italy’s most well-known producers in this region. What was now a single hectare is now 100 hectares for their estate.
The winery produces a range of wines from their ‘Batar’ which is an extraordinary white wine blending Chardonnay and Pinot Blanco, to their incredible Chianti Riserva, which was first made in 2011 and sees extended barrel age. The new ‘Batar’ (OB, 95) is an extraordinary bottling that is silky and incredibly viscous with beautiful length. I adored the new 2019 Querciabella ‘Palafreno’ IGT Toscana (OB, 93) which is mostly Merlot- based and shows a pillowy texture. I think that this is going to satisfy any lover of unique Merlots of the world. Learn more about this famed Italian estate at https://querciabella.com and here are my notes from the gorgeous Querciabella releases.
2021 Agricola Querciabella ‘Mongrana’ White WIne- This is now the second edition of their new Vermentino-based Tuscan white wine which was sourced from Maremma and has a touch of Viognier blended in. This comes off bright and also very soft on the mouth, with honeysuckle water, ripe candatlope and suggestions of white peach on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2020 Agricola Querciabella ‘Batar’ White WIne- This wine was first made back in 1988, as the 2020 ‘Batar’ blends Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay. This was barrel-fermented in French oak for nine months before bottling. The wine comes off heady and intense with bright pear and starfruit notes alongside roasted hazelnuts and shades of baking spice dusted brioche. The palate is lithe and polished with a seamless texture. Very seamless throughout the drinking experience, coming off almost weightless, this is quite simply a joy to drink even so young. Savor this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2033- 95
2020 Agricola Querciabella ‘Mongrana’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Mongrana’ is forward and juicy in its ripe blackberry and black cherry flavors with soft tannins. Medium-bodied, and brimming with bright acidity, enjoy now with a boar ragu pasta. Drink 2023-2029- 90
2019 Argicola Querciabella ‘Palafreno’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Palafreno’ is a Merlot-based wine from their estate vineyards located in Greve in Chianti. This comes off very plush and refined with silky tannins that combine with ripe red cherry, red raspberry and cocoa powder flavors alongside fine grained tannins and dusty soil notes. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2020 Agricola Querciabella ‘Querciabella’ Chianti Classico- A bright and lively Chianti Classico, the 2020 ‘Querciabella’ shows a soft mouthfeel with teaberry, tart cranberry, and citrus rind accents on the palate. Very vibrant and refined, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 91
2019 Agricola Querciabella ‘Querciabella Riserva’ Chianti Classico- The 2019 ‘Riserva’ by Querciabella is a truly fantastic bottling that needs a lot of air right now. A whiff of black truffle shavings greets you on the nose, with dusty soils, tart raspberry and shades of walnut all combine aromatically. The palate is plush and refined with long tannins that line a rich core of red and dark fruits. Be sure to give this beauty a two hour decant if consuming now. Drink 2023-2038- 93
2018 Agricola Querciabella ‘Camartina’ Red Wine- The brilliant 2018 Agricola Querciabella ‘Camartina’ Red Wine is a dazzling melange of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese that was sourced from vineyards in Chianti Classico. Very soft on the mouth, this delivers a seamless texture. Layers of red raspberry puree, freshly tilled stony soils, leather and crushed mint all combine on the palate. Quite literally a joy to consume now, this will cellar well over the next fifteen plus years. Give this an hour or two of air before enjoying. Drink 2024-2039- 95