Querciabella Chianti Classico DOCG
Tuscany, Italy
Vintage:2022 (Pending)
2020 (Past) | 2021 (Current) |
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Reviews
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
The nose is cool, saline and earthy, first presenting flowers, then dark berries. The palate zests an orange over blackberry tea and black plums, while decisive tannins stand their ground, even in the midst of a blaze of acid.
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
Pouring a youthful jeweled ruby color, the 2022 Chianti Classico is entirely Sangiovese from Greve, Lamole, and Radda. (The producers have stopped using fruit from Gaiole in the blend, as they are concentrated on vines closer to home, including the higher elevation site in Lamole for freshness.) The nose is very pretty and fruity, with aromas of mixed berries, crushed flowers, and sweet earth. Medium to full-bodied, it’s elegant on the palate, with a fresh feel, fine tannins, and a refined texture. It is elegant all the way through and is going to offer a lot of pleasure over the next 10-12 years.
Vinous Media 91 Points
The 2022 Chianti Classico is a polished, sophisticated wine. Dark red cherry, plum, blood orange, spice, cedar and new leather are front and center. Medium in body and layered, with terrific depth for the year, the 2022 is a delight.
Decanter 92 Points
Stylish and seductive, Querciabella’s 2022 leads with rooibos, mace and mocha atop dark red cherry. The palate is polished with sophisticated sweet oak spice tucked into the ripe and generous fruit core. Suede-like tannins expand, weaving smoothly throughout, while Sangiovese's brilliant acidity makes this sparkle. Splendid completeness and energy. Within the last year, there has been a significant change at this renowned estate as animal rights activist and organic champion Sebastiano Castiglioni ceded ownership to his sister, Mita. Long-time winemaker Manfred Ing remains at the helm of production.
Overview
Founded in 1974, Querciabella enjoys the acclaim of the world’s most discriminating critics and consumers for wines such as Camartina, Batàr, Palafreno and Querciabella Chianti Classico. In its uncompromising pursuit of quality, sustainability and authenticity, Querciabella has continually honed its approach to biodynamic viticulture for over a decade. With vineyards located throughout Tuscany’s Chianti Classico and Maremma areas, Querciabella exemplifies the mindful preservation of tradition through forward-thinking, albeit completely natural winemaking.
A wine and food lover's delight, Querciabella’s Chianti Classico represents the pinnacle of high-altitude, perfectly exposed Sangiovese fruit. A balancing act of crisp, inviting acidity, pure varietal fruit flavor and character deriving from sourcing the grapes from top sites in three of Chianti’s best sub-zones: Greve, Radda, and Gaiole.
In Greve, the Sangiovese enjoys a natural south-orientation. The soils, typically composed of sandstone rocks and sands obtained from the flaking of galestro, are richer in clay at lower altitudes (350-400 meters) and progressively become looser and more draining as they reach close to 550 meters. Similar characteristics can be found in Radda (450 meters), but the higher presence of galestro slate results in wines of persistent tannins and darker fruit profiles. At 500 meters, the soils in Gaiole are rich in calcium carbonate and deliver a riper expression of the Sangiovese fruit and a marked acidity thanks to the presence of limestone rocks, also known as Albarese.
Winemaking
Grapes are carefully selected in the vineyards, and harvested by hand into 9kg crates. They are destemmed, never crushed, then conveyed into temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, where alcoholic fermentation and maceration take place. Maceration lasts about 12 days. After completing full malolactic fermentation, the wine is transferred into barriques and tonneaux.
The wine is regularly racked and tasted during the entire 12-month maturation period. At the end of the élevage, the best lots are selected through extensive tasting and assembled to create the final blend. After bottling, the wine rests for at least three months before release.
Harvest Notes
The Sangiovese grapes from the 2022 harvest reflect the resilience of the vines in the face of challenging conditions. Despite the extreme heat and drought, the grape clusters developed intense flavors and aromatic complexity, with balanced acidity that is characteristic of this variety. The combination of high-altitude conditions and the rejuvenating rains in August allowed the Sangiovese to reach optimal ripeness, resulting in a wine that is both vibrant and elegant, with the depth and structure that define this iconic Tuscan grape
Food Pairing
Enjoyable now with classic Tuscan dishes as well as fish and sashimi. Will reach maturity four to five years after harvest and will continue to evolve for at least another ten years.
Technical Information
Varietals: 100% Sangiovese
Wine Alcohol: 14%
Titratable Acidity: 5.7 g/L
pH: 3.42
Harvest Start Date: September 9, 2022
Harvest End Date: October 8, 2022
Bottling Date: October 21, 2021
