Querciabella Batar 2022

Querciabella Batar 2022 is one of Tuscany’s benchmark white wines – a poised, Burgundian-inspired blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco that proves just how serious Italian white wine can be. Layered, elegant and deeply textured, it brings together ripe fruit, vibrant minerality and beautifully judged oak in a seamless whole. First released in the late 1980s and acclaimed by critics such as Robert Parker, Batar has since become a modern classic of Italian fine wine.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Batar 2022 shows a luminous straw-gold color with greenish reflections, hinting at both ripeness and freshness. The nose opens with ripe orchard fruit – yellow apple, pear and white peach – intertwined with notes of lemon curd, acacia blossom and a subtle saline edge. Fine, well-integrated oak adds nuances of toasted hazelnut, vanilla pod and a touch of fresh brioche, all lifted by a cool, stony minerality. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet poised, with a creamy, almost glycerol texture balanced by precise acidity. Flavors of nectarine, ripe citrus and baked apple are layered with chamomile, honeycomb and roasted almonds, leading into a long, tapering finish marked by wet stone and a refined, savory snap. The structure and concentration suggest very good aging potential: while already seductive in youth, Batar 2022 should evolve beautifully over 8–12 years, gaining complexity, nuttiness and truffle-like tertiary notes with time in bottle.

Production
Batar is sourced from high-altitude vineyards in the heart of Tuscany, where the cooler nights and well-ventilated slopes help preserve freshness and aromatic complexity. The soils are a mix of galestro (friable shale) and limestone-rich clays, giving the wine its trademark combination of richness and mineral drive. Querciabella farms these parcels organically and biodynamically, with meticulous hand work in the vines and manual harvesting at optimal ripeness to ensure pristine fruit. In the cellar, the juice is gently pressed and fermented in French oak barriques, often with a significant proportion of natural yeasts, followed by élevage on the lees to build texture and depth. Careful use of new oak and regular bâtonnage contribute to the wine’s creamy mid-palate and refined toasty nuances, without overpowering its freshness and terroir character.

Food & Serving
Querciabella Batar 2022 is a versatile gastronomic white that shines alongside rich, refined dishes. It pairs beautifully with lobster, scallops, turbot, or grilled sea bass, as well as truffled risotto, creamy seafood pastas, roast chicken, guinea fowl, or veal in delicate cream or mushroom sauces. It can also handle aged hard cheeses and richer soft cheeses such as Taleggio or aged Comté. Serve at 10–12°C (50–54°F) to highlight its precision and aromatic complexity; as it warms slightly in the glass, the oak and textural breadth will unfold. Decanting for 30–45 minutes is recommended, especially in its youth, to let the wine open up and fully express its layered bouquet.

Producer
Founded in 1974, Querciabella has established itself as one of Tuscany’s most forward-thinking and respected estates, particularly known for its commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture long before it became fashionable. Based in the Chianti Classico heartland, the winery farms prime holdings at altitude, crafting both refined reds and some of Italy’s most acclaimed whites. Batar was one of the first wines to demonstrate that international varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco could reach world-class quality in Tuscan terroir, and it quickly garnered international critical acclaim. Today, Querciabella is recognized as a leader in sustainable, terroir-driven winemaking in Italy, with a track record of high scores, consistent quality and a strong reputation among collectors and sommeliers worldwide.