We are delighted to be releasing three sensational wines from Querciabella - Batàr 2015, Chianti Riserva 2014 & Palafreno 2013.
Querciabella is located in the beautiful hills in the heart of Chianti with some of the highest altitude vineyards in the Chianti area. The high altitude combined with the estate’s uncompromising focus on quality in all aspects of the production results in expressive, complex wines with remarkable elegance, a lovely freshness and great aging potential. The supremely talented winemaker Manfred Ing continues to raise the level of the wines to new heights with Antonio Galloni declaring that “Querciabella stands head and shoulders above any other estate in Chianti Classico. It’s as simple as that.” His tireless pursuit of terroir runs through the whole arrange of wines and his knowledge Chianti’s different communes is what sets Querciabella apart. Unlike most other estates, proprietor Sebastiano Castiglioni owns sites across the region in Greve, Radda and Gaiole, enabling micro-vinifications from the separate sites and producing truly stand out wines which have become highly sought after.
Querciabella’s Batàr is a blend of 50% Chardonnay with 50% Pinot Blanc and gives a Mediterranean option to lovers of white Burgundy. Named in homage to Bâtard Montrachet, the favourite wine of Giuseppe Castiglioni, the estate’s founder. A wine of richness, finesse and complexity like the best of Burgundy, but with a distinct Tuscan accent; taking inspiration rather than attempting to mimic. The result is a wine of extraordinary balance between plush fruit, minerality along with supreme focus. Batàr ages beautifully, allowing the unique components to meld seamlessly over time. With only 2,200 cases made, it is a rarity that is keenly sought by wine lovers the world over. Batàr is widely critically acclaimed with Antonio Galloni describing it as “consistently one of Italy’s finest whites.”
Sleeping peacefully in proprietor Sebastiano Castiglioni’s cellars are three vintages of his ground-breaking single-vineyard ‘Cru’ project. Yet there is no current plan to release these astonishing wines. Not least until they can be rightfully classified with their individual commune on the label: an idea familiar with Burgundy lovers. Fortunately for us, however, we have Querciabella’s Riserva, which is the ultimate blend of these three fabled ‘Crus’. After the selection is made for the individual Cru bottlings, the wines are artfully assembled into this stunning Riserva. Put simply, this is the most authentic expression of Chianti Classico you will find anywhere, with a very limited production of 5,000 bottles.
Querciabella’s Palafreno is grown on some of the highest sites in Tuscany offering cool nights resulting in elegant and fresh Merlots which echo the wines of Pomerol. It is made in similarly tiny garagiste volumes with just 3,000 bottles made and only released in the finest vintages. This latest vintage is a very rare and enthralling wine which is so good that proprietor Sebastiano Castiglioni wanted to keep the entire production for his own consumption. Lucky for us they have decided to share with us this exceptionally pure and fresh wine, described by James Suckling as “Merlot magic.”
These three wines are in very limited availability so please be quick to secure your orders.
