Palafreno 2001 Toscana IGT - Querciabella

Palafreno 2001 – Querciabella

Palafreno is Querciabella's rarest red. The estate at Ruffoli, above Greve in Chianti, led the way in Chianti Classico, first with organic farming and then with biodynamics practised without animal-derived preparations. The name is an old word: a palafreno, or palfrey, was the noble riding horse of medieval knights, the kind that appears in Orlando Furioso.

The 2001 comes from the wine's first phase, which began with the 2000 vintage: back then Merlot was joined by Sangiovese, before Palafreno became, from 2004, a pure Merlot made only in the best years. The grapes come from the Ruffoli vineyards, on galestro and clay at 350-400 metres, and the wine matures in French oak barriques.

Now more than twenty years old, it is fully into its tertiary phase: evolved black fruit, leather, tobacco, forest floor and graphite, with the Sangiovese keeping the acidity alive. A collector's bottle and a record of a label made only a handful of times. Open it unhurriedly, perhaps with game or truffle dishes.

At a glance: Merlot 80%, Sangiovese 20% · 14.5% ABV · 0.75 l · Querciabella, Greve in Chianti