Region: Maremma Toscana, Italy
Varietal: 50% Sangiovese 25% Cabernet Sauvignon 25% Merlot
Critical Acclaim-This is soft and juicy with a lovely, velvety texture and plenty of berry and currant flavors. Hints of chocolate, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with serious structure and a flavorful finish.
94/100 —James Suckling
Tasting Notes: Intense ruby red in the glass. Dark fruit core. When given time scents of morello cherry, ripe blackberry, kirsch, and pine needle develop in to a more complex bouquet including notes of leather and coffee powder, also a hint of licorice. Velvety soft tannins, medium-full bodied, long savory mineral finish with iron lingering in the mouth.
Pairing: The Mediterranean feel and flavor of this wine lend itself to the herbs of the region like Oregano and Thyme sprinkled over a Zucchini Tian, Panzanella Salad, rib steaks, bbq and even lamb with Mediterranean spices. If you fancy something heartier try it with Chickpea Soup with Farro and Porcini Mushrooms. This Mushroom-Farro Soup With Parmesan Broth by Julia Sherman partners perfectly with the Mongrana. Enjoy!
About: Querciabella is a Tuscan wine estate that makes wines in both the Chianti Classico zone and in the Maremma Toscana. The winery has received high critical acclaim for its wines which regularly score highly among critics and competitions. Indeed, Antonio Galloni of Vinous Media has said that, "Querciabella stands head and shoulders above any other estate in Chianti Classico".
The estate, whose name means "beautiful oak" in English, has 74 hectares (183 acres) of vineyards within the Greve, Panzano, Radda and Gaiole communes of Chianti Classico.
The 32 hectare (79 acre) Maremma estate produces Mongrana, a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Established by Italian industrialist Giuseppe Castiglioni in 1974 the estate was converted to organics by his son Sebastiano in 1988. It has been biodynamic (albeit without the use of animal products) since 2000, and Querciabella is one of the largest owners, by area, of certified organic vineyards in Italy.
The vintage 2019 started with another mild winter followed by a wet spring that posed some challenges in the vineyards; however, flowering and fruit set went well, anticipating a phenomenal harvest both in quality and quantity. The first week of May saw the temperatures soar, and this heat continued through the Summer. It may have been torrid at times, but there were no problems with drought stress thanks to the abundant water reserves after the Spring rains. September brought the desired day/night temperature differences, and the weather stayed fine and stable well into the harvest period. Excellent phenolic ripeness, achieved with beautiful skin to pulp ratios and abundant quantity, raise expectations for a great 2019.
