Querciabella Chianti Classico 2017

"Querciabella has been on a roll over the last few years. I can’t say enough good things about these wines, all of which merit your serious consideration…. The 2017 Chianti Classico is bright, floral and beautifully lifted, with lovely red berry and rose petal character. Pliant and supple, with terrific balance, the Querciabella 2017 is one of the more refined, restrained Chianti Classicos readers will come across in this vintage…” 92 points, Vinous Media, Antonio Galloni

Commencing in 1974 with a single hectare of vines purchased by Giuseppi Castiglioni, Querciabella has since become one of the most consistent and quality wine producers in Italy. This is largely due to the strict organic and biodynamic approach to farming introduced in 1988 by Giuseppi’s son, and current manager, Sebastiano. At the time this was a pioneering move, and it is still a benchmark of sustainable farming that is employed on their (now) 74 hectares of vineyard in Greve, Radda and Gaiole… the blue-chip towns of the Chianti Classic region in Tuscany.

Each of these high elevation areas deliver a different element that makes Querciabella a well balanced and pure expression of Chianti. Greve delivers freshness and vibrancy. Radda delivers tannin, higher acids and a darker fruit profile, while Gaiole gives riper fruits and a denser mouthfeel.

Advancements in the cellar, with the dream team of Luca Currado (of Vietti Barolo fame) and South African Manfred Ing have complemented the vineyard work and have taken Querciabella to new heights since 2015. They have backed off the new oak (the wine still spends 12 months in French oak though only 10% is new), to allow the quality of the Sangiovese fruit do the talking.

2017 was one of the driest Tuscan vintages recorded, generosity was easy to come by, but only the best achieved natural balance. The wine attacks the mid palate with sweet and supple cherry, red berry fruits. Though this is quickly wrapped up with savouriness, spice, herb, liquorice and mocha flavours that carry along with mouth-watering acidity and polished, fine tannin.  The wines strike the balance of intensity, flavour, and generosity, with freshness, rusticity, earth, savouriness and balance. It is a joy to drink with food, with the rolling texture and flavours working with the acids. Any red sauce dishes, pizzas, braised vegetables, or grilled meats will work here.  

We hope you enjoy the wines. They sit comfortably in our top five Tuscan estates, along with other like-minded producers such as Montevertine, Fontodi and San Giusto. Any questions, please shout out.

Cheers,

Tom and Dan