Querciabella Maremma Toscana IGT "Camartina" 2008
(Tuscany, Italy) - [VM 93] [JS 93] [WE 92] [DM 92]

About the Winery:
Founded in 1974, Querciabella enjoys the acclaim of the world’s most discriminating critics and consumers for wines such as Camartina, Batàr, Palafreno and Querciabella Chianti Classico. In its uncompromising pursuit of quality, sustainability and authenticity, Querciabella has continually honed its approach to biodynamic viticulture for over a decade. With vineyards located throughout Tuscany’s Chianti Classico and Maremma areas, Querciabella exemplifies the mindful preservation of tradition through forward-thinking, albeit completely natural, winemaking. Camartina is made and released only if the vintage reaches a very high quality level.

About this Wine:
The vineyards where the grapes for Camartina are grown have been organically farmed since 1988. A full conversion to biodynamic techniques was later carried out in 2000. The grapes are carefully selected in the vineyards and harvested in 8 kilo crates. They are destemmed, not crushed, then transferred into five-ton French oak fermenters. Here, alcoholic fermentation, maceration and malolactic fermentation take place. Macerations last about 12 days for the Sangiovese, and up to 20 days for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Afterwards, the wine is transferred to French barriques; 25% new oak. The different cepages undergo separate elevage for one year. At this stage, the best lots, selected through extensive tasting, are assembled into the final blend, which undergoes another year of elevage. After bottling the wine rests for about six months before release. The wine is released no sooner than 30 months after harvest. Depending on the vintage, it reaches maturity between 4 and 7 years after harvest. The plateau lasts until at least 18 years after harvest. Camartina is made and released only in the best vintages. 

Technical information
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (70%); Sangiovese (30%).
Viticulture: Biodynamic since 2000; organic since 1988.
Average production: 12,000 bottles.
Appellation: Toscana IGT
First vintage: 1981
Average yield: Cabernet Sauvignon 25 hl/ha; Sangiovese 35 hl/ha.
Average alcohol content: 13.5% vol.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2008 Camartina (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese) comes across as rather understated in this vintage. Dark fruit, spices, leather and tobacco are some of the aromas and flavors that take shape in the glass. Mineral notes appear later to frame the long, vibrant finish. The 2008 shows lovely balance in a relatively subdued style for this wine." - Antonio Galloni (Aug 2011) 

93 Points - James Suckling:
"A wine with a meaty, spicy, dried berry, and cedar character. Full and chewy. This is very powerful, but a little rustic too. Made from organic grapes. Give it three to four years of bottle age." (Sep 2011)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"This blend opens with ripe aromas that recall blueberry and strawberry jam, followed by notes of spice, chocolate and moist tobacco. The finish is soft and velvety, and it comes with a touch of plush richness. This is complex and balanced.” (Apr 2013) 

92 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"2008 had lots of spring rain that disrupted budburst, and the cool temperatures delayed fruit-set, but early summer saw some hot temperatures which helped ripening, as did a fine late autumn. The result is a wine that's understated on the nose, with oak spice notes muting the fruit a little, and a palate that's less richly-textured overall. Cool, light, semi-ripe blackberry, plum and attractive sweet spice flavours are held in check by a chunky, muscular structure. A leaner, more elegant expression of Camartina. " - Susan Hulme MW (Feb 2018)