A rare Tuscan white that can stand bottle shoulder to bottle shoulder with its pricey red siblings. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco, it is about as exotic and tropical as you will get for a Chardonnay and as upper-crusty as you will achieve from a fairly warm climate Pinot Bianco. It is like sipping a fine whiskey as you try to dissect its flavor strands – floral like honeysuckle, but some green floral undernotes, some oak barrel spiciness, and only a hint of apple, Chardonnay’s go-to comparison. It is fullish and textured without being heavy – a rare Tuscan treat.
Querciabella, Toscana IGT (Tuscany, Italy) 2020
By Roger Morris