Toscana IGT Rosso Palafreno 2020 Querciabella

What kind of wine it is

Palafreno di Querciabella is a red wine from Tuscany made from pure Merlot. Produced in the Chianti area, it combines ripe fruit, a soft tannic structure, and a full yet orderly body. Vinification involves maceration on the skins and aging for 18 months in French oak barriques, with a portion of new wood, to offer a well-integrated spicy and balsamic profile.

Where it comes from

The grapes come from the vineyards of Ruffoli, in the municipality of Greve in Chianti, and from the Cipresso and Marrone plots. Querciabella manages over 70 hectares between Greve, Radda, and Gaiole, with vineyards set in a rural landscape surrounded by olive groves and oak woods. The soils are rich in galestro and, since 1988, the estate has been cultivated according to the principles of organic farming, a choice that guides both vineyard management and the wine’s character.

How it is made

Palafreno is produced using traditional red winemaking methods. After harvest, the Merlot grapes ferment with skin maceration, extracting color, tannins, and aromatic components. After fermentation, the wine rests for 18 months in French oak barriques, a portion of them new, to integrate the influence of wood without letting it dominate, shaping roundness, complexity, and persistence.

Tasting notes

In the glass, it shows a deep ruby color. The nose offers aromas of ripe cherry, accompanied by balsamic hints and spicy notes intertwined with the fruit. The palate is rich and enveloping, sustained by velvety tannins that are well integrated; the finish is long, with returns of fruit and spicy nuances.

Food pairings

Pairs well with braised and grilled meats, game stews, and aged cheeses, enhancing dishes with a marked structure. Its velvety tannic texture and rich palate accompany preparations where succulence and aromatic intensity play a key role, maintaining balance even with slow-cooked and robustly flavored dishes.

When to serve it

This red is ideal for lunches and dinners with meat dishes and aged cheeses, whenever a structured and balanced wine is desired. The 18-month aging in barrique makes it perfect for occasions where a generous sip is sought, with well-integrated tannins and a profile of ripe fruit supported by balsamic and spicy notes, to be savored leisurely at the table.