It’s always a pleasure and an honour to be reviewed in Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, the magazine that created the 100-points-scoring system.
Camartina 2018 · 94/100
The organic 2018 Camartina is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese. A consistent performer vintage after vintage, this Tuscan blend shows an exotic quality, with barbecue spice or steak sauce that frame a core of supple dark fruit. But the aromas don’t stop there. It unfolds to show balsam herb, blue flower and grilled rosemary. The wine is packaged in bulky glass, and 10,000 bottles were produced. —ML
Gran Selezione 2018 · 93/100
This is my first sample of a Gran Selezione by Querciabella. Made with certified organic fruit (and sporting a hefty price tag), the 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Querciabella draws its fruit from the Ruffoli Vineyard in Greve in Chianti with vines planted in schistous galestro and sandstone soils at a cool 500 meters in elevation. This vintage comes off as open and accessible with warm-vintage fruit, tobacco, crushed stone and dried rose. There is a hint of soft cherry ripeness. The wine comes in a heavy glass bottle with 4,000 of them made. —ML
Batàr 2020 · 93/100
I have not tasted this wine in a while, and it’s a delight to come back to it now. Compared to older vintages, I find this blend of equal parts Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay to be quite improved. The organic 2020 Batàr (with 20,000 bottles made) offers fresh, citrusy tones with lemon curd and candied peach. This barrique-aged white also offers mid-weight density and plenty of orchard fruit, saffron and light spice. It concludes with fresh acidity. —ML
Riserva 2018 · 91/100
A certified organic wine, the Querciabella 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Querciabella sources its fruit from different vineyard sites in various villages of the appellation. Each is harvested and fermented separately. The wine offers steady balance with dark fruit, leather sweet tobacco and campfire ash. It creeps up in intensity the longer you keep the wine in your glass. Some 14,000 bottles were made. —ML
