Querciabella Maremma Toscana 2010
Querciabella Mongrana
Querciabella is a very well respected wine maker, and prides itself on being the first biodynamic vineyard in Italy. This wine comes from the coastal area of Maremma in Tuscany, and is made from Sangiovese (50%), Merlot (25%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (25%). Because of its blend with traditional Old World grapes, it is considered a Super Tuscan. Mongrana is a fruit-forward and intense wine, but is fresh and embracing.
The grapes undergo initial fermentation in stainless steel vats for 6-8 months, then the wine undergoes élevage mostly in cement vats until it is blended to be bottled. A small selection of the wine is matured in oak barrels for ten months and then added to the final blend.
Why this wine works:
While it comes across as a touch dry (young tannins), the tart cranberries and red cherries in this wine can be delightful. Besides the red fruit tastes, you’ll find some sweet spices, a hint of vanilla (but not heavy oak), and spicy black pepper. For the price, this is a nice easy drinking red for a warm summer night that matches with grilled foods. We suggested a match with the grilled steak, pasta, and grilled vegetables.
Scoring:
The opinion on this wine was consistently 3-4, with a few 2 ratings and one 5 rating. One person rated it as the best wine of the evening. The average score was 3.50.
Where to buy:
We sourced this wine from the Central Liquors, Flemington NJ, and was purchased for $22.
