QUADRIGATO is a 12 hectare estate that lies in the medieval town of Guardia Sanframondi, that was founded by the Longobards.
The philosophy of Quadrigato is well defined by the graphic design of the logo, based on an ancient Roman coin - the Quadrigato that on one of the two sides reproduces the effigy of Janus the God with two faces. In its depictions Janus is always characterized by two faces held together by the neck, and the esoteric and mythological significance attributed to him, always takes on aspects of duality, as Death and Rebirth, Beginning and the End, Past and Future. The face of the Present is always hidden because it cannot be represented since before it is depicted, it is future, after it inexorably becomes past.
It is undeniable that this violent negation of the present can be somewhat frightening, but after all it is just so, life is a continuous succession of Past and Future, of Past and Future ... imperceptible moments that represent the clock of the universe. In fact, the present is almost our own invention, something we need to cling to life. This is why, perhaps, having a faith, a dream, an ideal, helps us slow down the inexorable succession of moments, of Past and Future and build apparent feelings of present that are inevitably surpassed and become Past. This constant repetition of Past and Future become the inseparable pair on which our business runs, from the vineyard to the wine, a cyclic series of vintages and seasons of pruning and grape harvests, of fermentation and bottling, of Starting and Ending and a whole series of transitions that are inevitably Past and Future.
It may seem a paradox but a bottle or a glass of wine does not escape this rule and, unfortunately, they will never be Present for Quadrigato nor for the consumer. You are wondering, then, what is the style and the philosophy behind Quadrigato...... Simply being aware of everything, not to take pains to become the "characters" that change the rules of the universe, in the conviction to interpret the Past and the Future as Tradition and Innovation, in living every Beginning and Ending as a new season, a new harvest, ... in living it intensely, with the anxiety of not having the time to wait for the next season to make us better.
After all, to run our business with love, with passion and even angrily leads us to slow time down ... and to build up a longer and more defined moment that represents our present ... and that becomes the style and philosophy behind Quadrigato. Maybe it is just a moment ... but it is a moment that returns !
It is a new beginning ...
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All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
'Ma Belle-Fille' was named by Sir Peter as a warm tribute to Emily Michael, his "Daughter-in-Law", and mother of the third generation of the family. Planted at the highest elevation on the estate, the marine influence on Ma Belle-Fille vineyard is greater, resulting in cooler daily temperatures in the summer and autumn months. Situated above the summer fog ceiling and exposed to the southeast, the vineyard receives the very first rays of sunshine each morning and remains sunny all day long. This full exposure, combined with cooler temperatures, causes the fruit to mature earlier than the rest of our estate.
Vintage Notes
The combination of a wet winter with significant rains in December through March and cool weather delayed budbreak nearly a month. Flowering and fruit set were also pushed back and the weather during the later flowering was favorable resulting in decent fruit set and slightly above average yields for the Chardonnay vineyards—a marked improvement over the record-low yielding 2022 vintage. The growing season was temperate without major heat spikes allowing the berries to hold onto their acidity which carried through into the wines. Harvest was almost a month later than normal with the last Belle Cote block coming in on November 2nd.
At the highest elevation on the estate, the marine influence on Ma Belle-Fille is greater, resulting in cooler daily temperatures in the summer and autumn months. Situated far above the summer fog ceiling and exposed to the southeast, the vineyard receives the very first rays of sunshine each morning and remains sunny all day long. This full exposure, combined with cooler temperatures, causes the fruit to mature earlier than the rest of our estate.
Beautifully perfumed with layers of honeysuckle, jasmine and dried orange peel accented by apricot, vanilla cream and spring flower notes, the 2023 ‘Ma Belle-Fille’ delivers with a rich, creamy entry and generous, structured mid-palate showing great drive and intensity with a long, mouth-watering finish. A truly special wine from an extraordinary vintage.
Review:
So delicious and drinkable from the first whiff to the lingering finish. An uber-chardonnay that packs in all the richness of fruit and smooth spiciness of oak fermentation, with vibrant acidity and a silky texture. Well balanced in a cool, ideal vintage and a great candidate for aging longer term. Drinkable now and best from 2030.
James Suckling 99 Points