In the mood for ‘gorgeous, screaming value, tremendous quality and classy, polished wines’ (Vinous)? Then look no further than these delicious reds from one of Tuscany’s elite producers, Querciabella.
The legendary Camartina is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, and since 1981, the estate’s signature Super Tuscan. Blue and red fruit, violets, dried herbs and graphite wrap around the tight and energetic core. Like a knight in shining armour, this 2021 is upright, suave, and built for the ages.
Another coastal cuvée, Turpino, is made up of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah and is one of the great success stories from the area. The 2021 is rich, expansive and harmonious, offering ‘tremendous quality and personality considering its relatively modest price’ of R695.
Finally, we have one of the best reds in terms of bang for your buck – Mongrana Rosso 2023, which Antonio Galloni called a ‘gorgeous, affordable … delight’. It’s a blend of Sangiovese, Cab Sauv and Merlot – and the first vintage to include Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cab Franc. At only R370, this wine has so much going for it. It’s juicy, velvety and fresh with black and red fruit, forest notes, layered, velvety tannins and a long, peppery finish.
Querciabella’s wines are vegan and the vineyards tick all the boxes in terms of sustainability and organic farming with biodynamic principles. Anyone who’s visited the estate – and met South African winemaker Manfred Ing – will tell you how passionate and welcoming they are.
Tasting Notes:
‘On a par with the 2016 for outright quality, this modern Camartina is a very different style, which shows just how the wine has come in the last five years. Some frost damage in April lowered yields, but rainfall in May set the vines up for the hot, dry summer, althought fortunately there were no extreme heat spikes as experienced in 2020. The vines were refreshed by rain in the autumn, prolonging the growing season. Aromatic and lifted, this charms with its violet and hedgerow berry fragrance. It’s full of energy, tightly coiled and beautifully balanced, with a menthol-fresh attack which gives way to precise pomegranate, strawberry and blackberry overlaying wood. Great poise – and tremendous potential. 9,400 bottles.’ – James Button, Decanter, 97/100
‘The 2021 Camartina (Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese) is a potent, tightly wound offering from Querciabella. Blue-toned fruit, graphite, dried cherry, mocha and new leather all take shape gradually. The 2021 is a touch compact today, but I see that as a positive for its long-term prospects. Readers will have to be patient with this classy, polished wine. Camartina was once the flagship at Querciabella. These days, it gets a lot of competition from the Gran Seleziones!’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 96/100
70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese
‘The 2021 Turpino is bold, rich and sumptuous, as wines from the coast so often are. Ripe red cherry, plum, spice and mocha all wrap around the palate. For readers who want to know what the Tuscan Maremma is all about, this is it. Best of all, Turpino offers tremendous quality and personality considering its relatively modest price.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 94/100
Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot
Querciabella Mongrana Rosso 2023
‘I was deeply impressed with the 2023 Mongrana, Querciabella’s entry-level offering from the Tuscan coast. Readers in search of a gorgeous, affordable Tuscan red will love it. 2023 Mongrana is a delight. Plump, juicy and expressive, the 2023 has so much to offer. Ripe red cherry, red plum, spice, cedar and new leather are nicely amplified. Best of all, the 2023 is a screaming value. This is the first year that includes Mourvèdre, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, along with some whole clusters in vinification, choices taken to emphasize freshness, always a challenge on the Tuscan Coast.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 90/100
20% Merlot, 16% Sangiovese, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 14% Mourvedre, 12% Syrah and 8% Petit Verdot
