Is there a more delicious wine right now than Querciabella’s newly arrived Chianti Classico Riserva from the glorious 2021 vintage? From an estate ensconced in the Tuscan countryside, this 100% Sangiovese offers luscious black cherry notes, thyme, lavender, spice and a long life ahead.
We opened a bottle on Monday with the team to see how different palates would experience this Riserva, and the feedback couldn’t have been better. Some loved its focus and detail, others its vivacious, sexy nature and unfurling aromatics, and a couple even called it their wine of the year so far! All of us were enchanted by its purity, precision and balance. Expect a deep fruit core and lightning rod freshness, with pebbly, graphite tannins and a haunting, velvety finale.
This Riserva is a blend of Sangiovese from Querciabella’s various high-altitude vineyards in Radda, Lamole and Ruffoli in Greve. They farm organically with biodynamic principles, staying true to their overarching sustainable and vegan philosophy. You can feel and see the life when walking in their vineyards. Dozens of flowers, different cover crops and insects create a buzz, and don’t be surprised to encounter a wolf or two when walking through the hilly vineyards and forests.
The critics loved the different aspects of Querciabella’s Chianto Classico Riserva too:
‘A very refined Riserva’ – Decanter
‘Beams of tannin enshroud a core of dark-toned fruit in a muscular, explosive Chianti Classico built for the cellar’ – Vinous
‘Lots of charm and complexity on the nose. Serious wine indeed’ – Jancis Robinson
See their other 2021s here.
Tasting Notes:
Querciabella Chianti Classico Riserva 2021
‘On the nose, leading aromas of black cherries and blackberries are both balanced and complemented by undertones of graphite and top soil. The palate is cohesive, with more berries, cherries and soil, but a hot, citrus finish adds a bolt of lightening to create a vivacious overall feel.’ – Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, 94/100
‘A blend of high-altitude vineyards in Radda, Lamole and the hamlet of Ruffoli in Greve, harvested between 1-21 October. Oak inflections cede to perfumed white blossoms and wild forest berries. The palate is uber-clean and well endowed, with generous and concentrated fruit winning out over the wood. A brilliant crunch to the sour cherry core is the key to vibrancy. The velvety tannins make this hard to resist, and indeed, it is quite precocious.’ – Michaela Morris, Decanter, 93/100
