2017 Batar
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Tasting notes
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Bianco. ‘The 2017 vintage is one of the driest on record. The scarcity of rain and a long, hot summer limited bunch and berry development, but also kept disease pressure low. Thanks to near-perfect autumn conditions, we harvested healthy grapes with vibrant profiles, ripe tannins and high skin-to-juice ratio of the berries.’ Harvest 24 August to 10 September . Much deeper gold. Really quite rich and very pure. Excellent acidity – just a tiny sourness but that's not a negative thing! No obvious oak. Attractive savoury quality – still a little chewiness on the end. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
First made in 1988, certified biodynamic since 2000 and vegan-friendly. Clear, rather heavy bordeaux bottle from this famous address in Greve in Chianti. Equal parts of Chardonnay (in two sites at 350 and 600 m) and Pinot Bianco (on a north-facing site at 400 m). Aged in barrel (just 20% new) with lees-stirring for nine months. We're told it can age for up to 20 years. 2017 was particularly dry, so the grapes were really healthy. Picked 28 August to 10 September. It has been far too long since I tasted this Tuscan answer to Bâtard-Montrachet. This is certainly complex and ageworthy. With its light almond flavour it seems slightly more like a particularly successful Corton-Charlemagne than Bâtard-Montrachet to me. Very sophisticated wine that seems rich initially but then finishes sleek and lively with layers of honey and lime. Very neat and rewarding now but it clearly signals that it will go through many different stages. Well done! Serious wine for the table. (JR)
Spontaneous fermentation of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Bianco in barrel and aged for nine months with regular lees stirring in French oak barriques (20% new). Biodynamic since 2000. Deep, shiny straw yellow. Enticing, concentrated nose of toasted hazelnuts, lemon rind, boskoop apple and peach. Gorgeous peach and lemon palate that is finely textured. Very pretty long nerve of acidity wrapped up in layers of lemon curd with touches of cream. (WS)
This is a rich and layered white with cooked-apple, honey, lime and light vanilla character that flows across the palate. Medium to full body. Flavorful finish. Excellent depth and beauty. Blend of pinot bianco and chardonnay. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now.
About the producer
Literally translating as “beautiful oak”, Querciabella was created in 1974 by Giuseppe Castiglioni. A pioneer in Chianti, he started farming biodynamically and experimenting with both varieties and winemaking – one result of which was Camartina, the property’s flagship Super Tuscan.