Querciabella : Palafreno 2013

Characteristics and tasting recommendations for Palafreno 2013 by Querciabella

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep, intense dark plum hue.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, with notes of plum, black cherry, menthol, and licorice. Spicy nuances, dried flowers, and cocoa enrich the bouquet, alongside hints of oak and tobacco.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is supple and expressive, with a silky texture and well-integrated tannins. Polished cherry and plum flavors intertwine with toasty notes, sweet spices, leather, and forest floor. Medium-plus acidity and present tannins provide fine structure, while the creamy, persistent finish invites you back for another sip.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with red meats, game, and aged cheeses. It also matches sophisticated preparations with complex flavors, notably umami-rich mushroom dishes, herb-roasted vegetables with Mediterranean herbs, or dark chocolate desserts.

Serving and cellaring

Palafreno 2013 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 20°C. Decanting for 30 minutes to 1 hour allows the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until around 2033, or even beyond depending on storage conditions.

An exceptional Merlot from Tuscany with silky tannins and remarkable elegance

The estate

Founded in 1974 by Giuseppe Castiglioni, Querciabella now spans more than 90 hectares of organic vines spread between Greve, Lamole, and Radda in Chianti Classico, as well as in Maremma. Since 2024, Mita Castiglioni, the founder’s daughter, has led the estate, with Roberto Lasorte as General Manager. A pioneer of vegan biodynamic viticulture since 2010, Querciabella has the largest area of certified biodynamic vineyards in Italy. The estate is also a founding member of the committee of the historic Super Tuscans, renowned for its exceptional wines combining innovation and respect for the environment.

The vineyard

Palafreno 2013 comes exclusively from the Cipresso and Marrone vineyards located in Ruffoli, in the Greve in Chianti area in IGT Toscana. These parcels benefit from southern exposure and an outstanding terroir composed of skeletal schist soils low in clay, characteristic of the galestro typical of Chianti Classico. This loose soil structure slows ripening, allowing the Merlot to reach optimal phenolic maturity.

The vintage

The 2013 vintage in Tuscany experienced a cool, wet spring with abundant rainfall, followed by a moderate summer and a warm autumn. These conditions allowed for a gradual ripening of the grapes through to the end of October, offering a longer maturation period than in recent years. The Merlot harvest began on September 18, 2013, relatively late for this grape variety, ensuring ideal phenolic ripeness and producing harmonious, balanced wines.

Vinification and aging

The Palafreno 2013 grapes underwent a rigorous double selection, retaining only the finest berries. After fermentation with indigenous yeasts, the wine was aged for about 18 months in fine- and extra-fine-grain French oak barrels, including 25% new barrels and 75% once-used barrels. Additional aging of at least one year in bottle preceded release. The entire process follows Querciabella’s vegan biodynamic philosophy, excluding any animal-derived product.

Grape variety

100% Merlot