2016 Querciabella Palafreno
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Tasting notes
'The picking window for Merlot is extremely narrow, in three days it can become overripe, but as the vineyard is next to the winery we can truly pick it at the right moment. We put maximum attention to it.' The wine wasn't made in 2011 and 2014. 'It needs to be on the ball.' Deep, lustrous youthful-looking ruby. Very tight and compact on the nose and very closed on the palate. With aeration, complex depth emerges on the nose but with the ripe fruit still taut. Very slow to unfurl on the palate too. Redcurrant and sour cherry rather than anything that you would normally associate with Merlot. This wine has eclipsed the grape variety. Gorgeous chewy tannins. Cool-climate character. Needs much more bottle age. Patience required. (WS)
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Palafreno, 100% Merlot from the estate vineyards in Greve, brings together so much of what makes the Querciabella wines so appealing. In the glass the 2016 is deep and vibrant, yet also remains light on its feet. A whole range of mineral and savory notes confer freshness. The 2016 spent 18 months in French oak, with 25% new wood. It's another stellar wine from Querciabella.
About the producer
Literally translating as “beautiful oak”, Querciabella was created in 1974 by Giuseppe Castiglioni. A pioneer in Chianti, he started farming biodynamically and experimenting with both varieties and winemaking – one result of which was Camartina, the property’s flagship Super Tuscan.