The Querciabella Palafreno 2008 is dark ruby in aspet, with a beguiling nose of fleshy red fruit, notes of plum, cassis and cedar wood, leading to a palate of sweet vanilla, tobacco, raspberry, redcurrant and strawberry, supported by firm tannins and lively acidity.This is an excellent example of a Super Tuscan wine.

Match with red meats, game and mature cheeses.

Founded in 1974 Agricola Querciabella based in Greve-in-Chianti, Tuscany began life as an estate of only one hectare of vines and a few old buildings. Since then the estate has expanded to 26 hectares of vines and 12 hectares of olives at the original estate and a further 36 hectares of vines in Alberese in Maremma which will go to produce some of their new releases in the future.

The grapes are carefully selected in the vineyards, and harvested in 8 kilo crates. They are destemmed, they are not crushed, and then they are conveyed into temperature controlled stainless steel vats or, just for the very best parcels, small temperature controlled concrete vats. Here, alcoholic fermentation, maceration and malolactic fermentation take place. Maceration lasts about 18 days. 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, and they undergo six more months of élevage. The oak is 100% French, and comes from Allier, Tronçais, and Vosges. It is 60% new and 40% one year old. The wine is regularly racked and tasted during the whole barrel maturation. After bottling the wine rests for about six months before release. The wine is released no sooner than 26 months after harvest. Depending on the vintage, it reaches maturity between 3 and 5 years after harvest. The plateau lasts until at least 12 years after harvest.