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.”

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 hands of Pier Luigi’s children: Francesco, Simonetta and Marco.

The Rosso di Montalcino and the Brunello di Montalcino are based on the parcels of Canalicchio and Montosoli, 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 sees 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 resultant wines show great structure, minerality and sapidity.