Palafreno

Palafreno is a monumental Merlot with an ethereal lightness of touch. Exclusively released in years when ripening conditions are near perfection.

Grape Varieties

  • Merlot (100%)
Merlot magic. Easily the best ever.
James Suckling jamessuckling.com 2017
Merlot of absolute enological greatness.
Antonello Biancalana DiWine Taste 2016
A Merlot built on exquisite finesse. 94+/100
Antonio Galloni Vinous 2015
Ecstatic enlightenment.
Luigi Veronelli veronelli.com 2003

Our purebred Merlot has an ethereal lightness of touch and a velvety mouthfeel that develops in pure pleasure over the decades.

Palafreno’s first glorious vintage coincides with the first year of biodynamic farming at Querciabella. It should therefore be of no surprise that this monovarietal Merlot exudes definitive territorial features unique to the Chianti Classico zone. Palafreno is only produced in the most favorable vintages at an average of 3,000 bottles per year.

The grapes are carefully selected in the vineyards, and harvested in 8 kilo crates. They are de-stemmed, and then transferred to three-ton oak fermenters, where alcoholic fermentation, maceration and malolactic fermentation take place. Afterwards, the wine is transferred to barriques, where it undergoes élevage for about one year. At this stage, the best lots, selected through extensive tasting, are assembled into the final blend, which undergoes a further six months of élevage.

After bottling, the wine rests for about six months before release. The maturity plateau lasts until at least 12 years after harvest.