Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino 2016

Description

Founded by Primo Pacenti in 1962,in 1987 Primo was joined by son-in-law Pier Luigi Ripaccioli, and since 2001, Canalicchio di Sopra has been in the highly capable, thoughtful hands of Pier Luigi’s three children, Francesco, Simonetta and Marco.
The Rosso di Montalcino and the Brunello di Montalcino are based on the parcels of Canalicchio and Montosoli, located on the northern side of Montalcino, and which combined total 19 hectares planted. All wines are aged in medium sized Slavonian oak botti.
The soils of the Canalicchio parcels are largely clay with pebbles and a strong mineral content, resulting in wines of aromatic intensity, opulence and minerality. It is the extraordinary elegance, latent power, balance and silky tannins of the Casaccia parcel which for some years now have seen it bottled separately. The Montosoli soils are marl with very high mineral components, clay loam texture with higher levels of lime, with the pebbly texture increasing the pH. The wines show great structure, minerality and sapidity.

From the winery about this wine and outstanding vintage: “Produced from vineyards which are over 10 years old, it represents the essence of our concept of terroir: an expression of elegance, depth, and freshness of our Sangiovese, able to unite its balsamic quality of the north side of Montalcino with the opulence of our lands.”

“We will remember the 2016 vintage as the most beautiful and interesting of the third generation of winemakers at Canalicchio di Sopra. We always have a word in mind to describe a great vintage referring to the climate and this word is BALANCE … But if we could control the climate of a vintage artificially, I believe that I would program it to be just like the year 2016. We believe that the greatness of this vintage lies right here, simply perfect from a climactic point of view … The strength of Sangiovese in this vintage is read as depth and length, its minerality as sapidity, its sweetness as silkiness of the tannins, and everything is held up by a vibrant acidity which imparts freshness and drinkability. ”

Eric Guido of Vinous remarked in November 2020 about the 2016 vintage: ‘I will admit that I’ve been looking forward to tasting the 2016s from Canalicchio di Sopra with much anticipation but also trepidation – could they really live up to the lofty expectations I have of them? Well, they do. Francesco Ripaccioli continues his work to further define the unique parcels within each of his vineyards and to use them accordingly to create wines that are unmistakably Northern Montalcino in character with stunning balance and structure. What’s more, any fears that the La Casaccia bottling would have robbed the house Brunello of its flair can be put to rest, because that wine is a stand-out amongst its peers…..”

95 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous Media “The 2016 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino is flat-out stunning, remarkably vibrant and an almost-ethereal expression. There’s an exotic citrusy tinge to its ripe black cherries, taking on hints of sage, cedar and allspice, all grounded by moist earth tones. It’s focused and remarkably pure with a noticeable inner sweetness to the red and hints of blackberry fruit, all cast across a silky, feminine frame. The structure builds like a crescendo, as minerals fade to youthful tannins. Juicy acids maintain perfect balance from start to finish, making for a surprisingly fresh expression yet with amazing length. There’s simply so much going on here, and there are promises of more good things to come. Drink 2024 – 2038.”

95 points, Monica Larner, robertparker.com “… shows balance and symmetry with that difficult twofold delivery of power and elegance. This terrific new release shows dark fruit and tart cherry, but then unwinds slowly to reveal light spice, toasted nut, blue flower and crushed limestone. The wine affords a genuine sense of place with roots in the northern half of the appellation where the light is whiter and the nights are cooler. That brilliant luminosity appears in the pure quality of fruit and the sharp focus of the mouthfeel, driven by balanced tannins and acidity. The sensation it gives is compact and long, without too much extra volume or padding. This wine is like a contoured, chiseled and carefully polished marble statue that you would see in a Renaissance church.”
17 Points, Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinsonc.om “Vivid Mid ruby with some brick at the rim. More fruit sweetness but also more developed undergrowth compared with the Altesino Montosoli. Opens to a pretty floral fragrance. Firm, sweet and chewy, the fruit filling out the core. Young and lovely and so moreish. Drink 2022 –2032.

RRP $191   *Our Special Price $159.99 – VERY LIMITED STOCK!