Querciabella or “beautiful oak” is considered one of Chianti’s top producers, with a reputation for both magnificent Super Tuscans and stunning Chianti Classico wines. This is largely thanks to visionary owner Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni who was an early adopter of both organic and biodynamic viticulture in the 1980s and 1990s. Today the estate is one of Italy’s largest organic and biodynamic wineries with 74 hectares of vines in Chianti and a further 32 hectares in Tuscany’s coastal Maremma region.
Palafreno is one of the estate’s most iconic and rarest Super Tuscan wines since it is only produced when growing conditions are perfect. Composed of 100% Merlot from the very best estate vineyards in Greve, this is a monumental wine that has tremendous ageing capabilities. Its sheer power and presence are reflected in the name which refers to a medieval knight’s parade horse.
The fruit for this wine comes from just two vineyards, Cipresso and Marrone, which sit at around 350 to 400 metres of altitude. In the winery the fruit is micro-vinified in small batches and matured for 18 months in French oak barrels. Typically the winery produces just 2,500 bottles when the Merlot fruit from a particular vintage is deemed to be of exceptional quality. Dark, brooding and handsome with luscious plum, cassis, and wild berry notes, this blockbuster red will grow even more beautiful with a few more years in the cellar. If you’d prefer to enjoy it now, try pairing with hearty wild game or beef dishes to soften the firm tannins.