Sarah Heller MW, one of the most respected voices in the international wine scene, has published an insightful article on Chianti Classico for Club Oenologique.
Her 2024 Chianti Classico Report delves into the latest vintages, highlighting the growing emphasis on site-specificity and the maturity of the Gran Selezione category. In her article, Sarah offers a detailed analysis of the region’s development, exploring the impact of the new UGAs (Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive) and the rise of Gran Selezione wines, which have become a staple for collectors around the world. Despite some challenges related to uniform quality, she mentions that Gran Selezione production has now reached two million bottles annually out of the total 37 million bottles produced in the region. While this may seem small, it’s still a significant milestone, showcasing the region’s commitment to excellence.
Among the standout producers mentioned in her report is Querciabella. Sarah praised our Gran Selezione 2019, emphasizing its potential to find a home in international collectors’ cellars. She also appreciated the balance and elegance of our wines, highlighting their distinctive Sangiovese character, with vibrant ruby fruit, lively aromatics, and supple tannins.
CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG
Gran Selezione 2019 · 98/100
“The Gran Selezione at this Greve estate is the outcome of an extensive project at Querciabella to isolate single sites among its varied holdings. It is an expression of Ruffoli, the high-altitude area in Greve where the winery is headquartered. A sandstone geology here has boosted the aromatics, giving a nose that immediately captivates, with a spike of ozone and ferrous notes. This gradually gives way to classical marasca cherry fruit, with hints of bay leaf, quinine and wild sage, while gentle tones of vanilla, blond tobacco and hazelnut come from French oak.” —SH
Gran Selezione 2018 · 95/100
“The 2018 Gran Selezione (…) is a fitting tribute to its Ruffoli site, where Querciabella began in the 1970s. Located at around 500m asl on aromatic friendly macigno-derived sandy soils, the site has produced a sheer vermillion hue and open, pretty notes of strawberry coulis with eucalyptus and aloe with sweet grass grace notes. The palate adds vetiver and mace to the greenish tones of the nose. Structurally, it forms a well-proportioned, seamless shape that gradually adds breadth through the mid-palate before tapering off neatly on the finish. Its fine acidity and tannins are invisibly woven in.” —SH
Gran Selezione 2017 · 96/100
“The first vintage of the Gran Selezione at Querciabella, frost- and drought-ridden 2017 shows a different side of this high-altitude, sandstone-dominant site. The nose is darker and more taciturn at present than the other vintages, with mulberry fruit alongside the more characteristic alpine strawberry. There is substantial volume on the entry, with an oily exterior slipping smoothly over polished tannins and compact dark berry fruit within. The mid-palate’s propulsive acidity teases out shades of new leather and tobacco, sandalwood and oud for a finish that is multifaceted and energetic.” —SH
Riserva 2020 · 94/100
“This impressive riserva is selected from Querciabella’s vineyards in Greve, Gaiole and Radda, each site vinified separately. An extended, cool fermentation with some whole bunches has produced a nose that is exquisitely perfumed, with resinous cedary tones from the partially new oak used here, complementing glorious marasca cherry fruit that is plush but precisely calibrated. The entry is unexpectedly sheer, with a gorgeous flowing texture and potent, almost eye-shivering acidity.” —SH
Querciabella 2021 · 94/100
“This varietal Sangiovese comes from vineyards in Ruffoli, Lamole, Radda and San Polo in Rosso. (…) As it opens, tones of cherry stone, cinnamon spice and a little bit of fresh thyme give it a clear Sangiovese lean. It is bright and energetic on the palate, with elevated acidity and chalky tannins forming a tight lens shape.” —SH
You can read the complete reviews on Club Oeonologique report. These exceptional scores in Sarah Heller MW’s report reflect our dedication to crafting wines that embody the essence of our vineyards and the unique terroir of Chianti Classico. She also highlights the potential impact of the new UGA system in refining the identity of Chianti Classico wines, a development we at Querciabella embrace, having focused on single-village bottlings for over 15 years.
Sarah’s detailed report is a testament to the dynamic and evolving nature of Chianti Classico and its wines. We are proud to be part of this exciting journey and grateful for the recognition of our efforts to produce wines of the highest quality.
