2016 Chianti Classico Riserva
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Tasting notes
A product of organic farming and vegan winemaking protocols, the Querciabella 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Querciabella is a spectacular wine with lots of bright fruit, bold cherry and dried blackberry. Those fruity tones cede to smoke, tobacco and warm earth. The effect is balanced and beautiful.
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Greve in Chianti. 100% Sangiovese. Beautiful, concentrated ruby. Quite closed and backward, but subtle and complex on the nose. Bags of concentrated fruit and yet super-elegant palate. Vibrant with perfectly built, long, fine tannins. Refreshing and complex. (WS)
The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva is an attractive wine built on aromatics and structure, with the fruit more in the background. It will be interesting to see if it fleshes out with more time in bottle. Sweet red cherry, lavender, rose petal, mint and spice gradually develop in the glass, but the 2016 remains quite reticent. It will be interesting to see if time in bottle brings out more depth. Today, the 2016 is decidedly shy. I very much like the energy here.
Energy and firmness showing in a medium-bodied package of currants and cherries, as well as cedar and flowers. Lightly chewy tannins and a linear, tight finish. Needs some time to soften, but already a beauty. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now, but better after 2021.
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.