Meaning “beautiful oak” in Italian, Querciabella is regarded as one of Chianti’s finest producers thanks to the hard work and vision of owner Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni. Castiglioni was one of the first to convert his estate to organic agriculture in 1988 and in 2000 he also embraced biodynamic certification. Today the estate has some 74 hectares of prime vineyards in many of Chianti’s finest crus as well as another 32 hectares in the coastal Maremma region.
This enchanting Chianti Classico epitomises the Querciabella signature style of elegance, freshness and intensity. The wine has been at the centre of the estate’s winemaking operations ever since Querciabella was founded in 1974, frequently achieving scores in the 90s from leading wine critics. Fruit is sourced from prime sites in three of Chianti’s top sub-zones, Greve, Radda and Gaiole in Chianti. Greve brings vibrancy and fresh fruit, Radda firm tannins and dark fruit notes, and Gaiole adds riper fruit and refreshing acidity.
Once in the winery the fruit is vinified with minimal intervention to allow the natural beauty of the terroir to shine through. 14 months of maturation in fine-grained oak barrels helps to fully integrate the tannins and add polish to the final blend. The result is an easy-going yet complex Chianti that’s bursting with ripe cherries, juniper berries and licorice notes. A great wine to pair with tomato-based dishes like tomato soups or handmade pasta served with a beef or wild boar ragu.