Castello di Querceto Cignale 2011

As always, the 2011 Cignale is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot (aged for 24 months in oak). The wine represents a joint venture between vintner Alessandro François and importer Neil Empson, and it has brought lots of attention to Castello di Querceto over the years. This edition shows dark cherry and dark fruit layers with generous spice, cinnamon and grilled herb. There's a sudden point of sour cherry followed by sharp tannic firmness. This wine needs to flesh out further. Drink Date: 2016-2026. Score - 92. (Monica Larner, robertparker.com, Oct. 29, 2015)