“The 2019 Chianti Classico “Riserva” from Querciabella is a simply outstanding young wine. The Riserva bottling is made from a vineyard selection across the prime parcels the winery owns in the townships of Greve, Radda and Gaiole, with all of these parcels in the highest altitudes in the villages. The wine is raised in twenty percent new oak for fourteen to sixteen months prior to bottling and the 2019 version comes in at fourteen percent octane. It offers up a beautifully complex bouquet of red and black cherries, cigar smoke, black tea, lavender, fresh oregano, a touch of smoked meats, lovely minerality and cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and nicely structured, with superb depth at the core, lovely soil undertow, fine-grained tannins and 31 excellent balance on the long, focused and extremely promising finish. This needs some time in the cellar to blossom, but it is going to be outstanding wine once it starts to emerge. 2029-2075.”

“Supple and intense, this red is saturated with black cherry, blackberry, floral, wild herb and mineral aromas and flavors. As this plays out on the long finish, the solid structure is well-covered by flesh. Offers fine harmony and expression. Best from 2024 through 2040.”

Fresh and creamy nose with lemon curd, star fruit, green pineapple, fine lees and wet stones. Clarity and mineral tension define the medium- to full-bodied palate, rendering a gastronomic quality with its long, nicely saline finish. Drink or hold.

The 2019 Camartina is a dense, powerful wine. After tasting a large flight of Sangioveses, the Camartina really stands out because of its strong Cabernet imprint and more obviously present sweet oak. Dark red fruit, mocha, new leather blood orange and sweet spice all take shape in the glass. Camartina is undoubtedly an excellent wine, but there is also no doubt it has been surpassed as the flagship here. Cabernet Sauvignon components were aged in standard 225-liter barrels, while the Sangiovese was aged in 500-liter tonneaux.

“This buoyant wine opens with fresh floral scents that lead into crunchy berry and cherry flavors. Lively acidity drives the flavors as the wine picks up notes of graphite and subtle hints of spice. The flavors remain tautly woven and energetic over several days, indicating good aging potential.”