Querciabella Mongrana
Maremma Toscana, Italy
Vintage:2023 (Pending)
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Reviews
Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
The nose opens with floral, saline aromas of peonies and violets, then turns savory with hot tar and herbs, then finishes sweet with citrus and cherries. Cherries and berries headline the palate, alongside a strong blood orange element and soil strewn with crushed flower petals and herbs. Tannins are very firm.
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.
First introduced with the 2005 vintage, Mongrana comes from the Alberese and Grosseto vineyards (20-50 meters above sea level) and has been organically and biodynamically grown since inception. The plant-based biodynamic approach has proven particularly suited to the acidic, iron-rich soils of Maremma, a mixture of silt and alluvial sand, sparse with areas of gravel and surface pebbles.
Winemaking
Grapes are hand-harvested in 9kg crates. In the cellar, the grapes undergo fermentation in stainless steel vats. After malolactic fermentation, the wine undergoes élevage both in stainless steel and cement until it is blended to be bottled.
Tasting Notes
Intense ruby red in the glass, the charm of Mongrana does not take long to reveal itself. Well-defined aromas of ripe fruit, morello cherry, blackberry and blueberry especially anticipate notes of kirsch, ivy, pine needles. As soon as the wine opens up in the glass, a more complex bouquet starts to emerge with slight hints of leather, coffee powder and cocoa enriched by a touch of liquorice. Juicy, fresh sip, with soft tannins. The long finale is savoury with mineral, iron notes that persist in the mouth.
Harvest Notes
The 2023 vintage in Maremma, though challenged by variable weather conditions, has once again demonstrated the region's capacity to produce wines of exceptional quality. With a late start to the season and difficulties brought on by high temperatures and low rainfall, the yield was lower than usual. However, the resulting wines show a medium body, pleasant acidity on the palate, firm tannins, and a crisp finish, with good persistence and a distinctive character.
Food Pairing
The ideal serving temperature is 57° to 64°F. Recommended to drink young, though this wine will continue to develop and mature for at least ten years.
Technical Information
Varietals: 20% Merlot, 16% Sangiovese, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 14% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah, 8% Petit Verdot
Wine Alcohol: 13.5%
Titratable Acidity: 5.47 g/L
pH: 3.36
Harvest Start Date: September 1, 2023
Harvest End Date: September 20, 2023
Soil Composition: A mixture of silt and alluvial sand, with areas of gravel and surface pebbles.
Aging: Drink beautifully in its youth, though it has the brilliance to surprise for years after the harvest.
