Along with Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino is Tuscany's most famous DOCG and its boldest expression of the Sangiovese grape. Located 30 miles south of Siena, its 2,000 hectares of vines are hemmed in by the Orcia, Asso, and Ombrone valleys. Brunello is the local name for the Sangiovese Grosso clone from which Brunello di Montalcino should be made in its entirety. The wine cannot be released for sale until five years after the harvest.
Canalicchio is known for producing elegant, fine, Burgundian Brunello. A Top 10 producer year in, year out! 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 a total of 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 and minerality.
Ripe berry and cherry aromas with hints of spices and cedar. Dried flowers, too. Full-bodied, dense, and layered. Fantastic richness and depth. Long, long finish. Best ever.
The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino from Canalicchio di Sopra - Ripaccioli is superb. The nose is dark and mineral-inflected with a blast of crushed raspberry, cherry, and darker blackberry fruits wafting up from the glass, as sweet florals, underscored by moist soil and hints of cedar amass. On the palate, silky, almost creamy textures, offset by a stunning mix of salty minerals and acids with savoury herbs, and inner earth tones tempted the senses for another sip. The finish is remarkably long, resonating on minerals and dark fruits, almost balsamic and spicy, as its tannic structure comes forward and reminds me that this Brunello is still just a baby. What a gorgeous expression of Sangiovese.