Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni’s Querciabella domaine has fought its way to the top of the Chianti producers’ league. For too long this appellation had been producing wines for everyday consumption. By contrast, at the Querciabella domaine they have thought long and hard about how to produce truly great wines. This includes working with individual parcels, converting the domaine to organic practices in 1988 and introducing biodynamic methods in 2000. The wines are unparalleled in the Chianti region. They boast consistency, balance, precision and texture. Prices are still reasonable, making this a range to discover.

Cuvée Camartina dates back to 1981 and is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese grapes. Harvesting is carried out by hand and the grapes are meticulously sorted. In the cellar, the wines undergo malolactic fermentation prior to ageing in French oak barrels for 20 months. Some 18,000 bottles of this Tuscan wine are produced per year to charm enthusiasts with its mellow and fruity aromas (cherry, blackcurrant, plum) and dominant cigar, mocha and cedar notes. Even after several years of cellaring, its appeal and freshness are undimmed.