“WOW”… A “Classic and Textbook Expression” of Brunello di Montalcino

NEW ARRIVALS: Rare LIBRARY RELEASE (1995 - 2022) - Going Vertical with the Brunello Patriarch and Montalcino’s Grand Cru Vineyards. It’s Thirty Years of Canalicchio di Sopra and Rediscovering the “Vintage Made by God” and the “Vintage of a Lifetime,” and the "Classic 2019s."

“Francesco Ripaccioli and his family at Canalicchio di Sopra have taken things to a new level with this recent set of new releases. From top to bottom, the 2019s display a balance of elegance, texture and transparency to terroir that keeps me coming back to the glass again and again. The Brunello di Montalcino of Canalicchio di Sopra is always a gorgeous and transparent representation of northern Montalcino terroir and a wine that stands on its own, shoulder to shoulder with the best of the region.” - Eric Guido, Vinous

The IWM Team had the unique privilege of tasting a vertical of Canalicchio di Sopra with winemaker Francesco Ripaccioli this past February. It was an inspiring experience tasting back nearly thirty years to the 1995 release, as well as exploring the full range including the Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Vigna La Casaccia and Vigna Montosoli bottlings. Well, today, we have the good fortune of sharing these aged treasures selections from Montalcino’s great artisanal producer - one last time, as the wines have just arrived into our cellars and there is a small amount that remains and is ready to ship...

The IWM signature has remained true to the traditions of their founding grandfather with the best selection of Sangiovese Grosso from the prized slopes of Montosoli and Canalicchio – two of Montalcino’s grand cru equivalents. For the past two decades, we have watched this under-the-radar producer remain relatively quiet, producing what I like to call the “Thinking Man’s Brunello.” However, critics, enthusiasts, and collectors alike are really starting to take notice of these limited production interpretations of Brunello, as both the benchmark years of 2016 and 2015, as well as the sleeper vintages of 2017 and 2018, have received strong critical praise.  And for IWM, revisiting 2015 and 2016 was certainly a highlight of the tasting. However, it is the debut and arrival from 2019 that might just be the highlight today.

That's correct, today, we are focusing on another vintage from the icon of Brunello di Montalcino that truly captures the more Northern side of classic Sangiovese with structure and persistence, as opposed to wines that are more dominated with darker fruit and more opulence that you might find from further south in the areas of Sant Angelo or Castelnuovo dell’ Abate. It is a Brunello that made the IWM Team stop and pause, stare down into the glass and then look up at one another in complete awe and say, “what was that?” It is none other than the IWM signature, the 2019 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino for what classic Brunello should be – a textbook expression from the North! For IWM, this is a wine that enthusiasts and collectors will be discussing decades from now. But dig through the collection, it is not often we see a cellar offering with age and provenance from Montalcino!

NEW ARRIVAL: Library Collection (1995-2022) featuring 2019 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello

If you are new to Canalicchio di Sopra, this tiny producer dates back to 1962 and is one of the original pioneers of the region. The Borgo is positioned in Northern Montalcino, not too far from Biondi Santi but in closer proximity to Il Marroneto, where they still harvest grapes from higher altitudes and age in large Slavonian oak botti. And like these two neighboring producers the focus is more on powerful, muscular Brunello of structure with aromatics over density and extraction. A mere 1,500 cases of Brunello are produced from 15 hectares of choice hillside vineyards in Montosoli and Canalicchio. In many ways the estate reminds me of Bruno Clair in Burgundy, maintaining a relatively low profile while producing artisanally-crafted, traditionally-minded wines that require a little patience but with time reward. In addition, the Ripaccioli family, behind Canalicchio di Sopra, had used consulting winemaker Paolo Vagaggini, who is behind a number of the finest hand-crafted Brunellos, such as those from Fuligni, II Marroneto, and Gianni Brunelli.

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REVIEWS:

2019 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO

Christopher Deas, Italian Wine Merchants: “This is one of those wines where the color alone is worth the price of admission, you can stare into it and quite literally see Sangiovese Grosso purity at its finest. More importantly, it is one of the most complete expressions we have tasted from the 2019 vintage. Right from the pull of the cork, this screams, not just Brunello, but Canalicchio di Sopra – there is a signature herbaceous note that is transporting. And yes, it is showing the classic nature of vintage and of the northern terroir, but with a little air-time the ripe fruit gains weight and fills the glass. There is simply a richness to accompany the firmness of the house and vintage for what is a deep, sophisticated Brunello. You can expect nuances of bright cherry, black cherry, plum, blood orange, cinnamon, cedar, dried flowers, savory herbs, underbrush, and minerality. The Normale is more finessed than the La Casaccia, that is typically more robust and chewy. This is textbook Brunello and another top recommendation from the must-by vintage.”

Eric Guido, Vinous: “Dusty violets, lavender and cloves accentuate dried black cherries as the dramatic 2019 Brunello di Montalcino smolders up from the glass. This is impossible to ignore, bursting with energy as depths of ripe red fruits, chalky minerals and exotic spices saturate all they touch, balanced by textures of pure silk. The 2019 finishes with fantastic length and concentration, leaving a staining of tart blackberry and hints of orange that curl the tongue as crunchy tannins tug at the palate. It’s rare to see such a combination of vibrancy and power. Canalicchio di Sopra nailed it in 2019. Wow.”

2016 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO

Kerin O’Keefe: “Intense aromas of underbrush, wild berry, new leather and pipe tobacco lead the way on this fragrant Brunello. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the savory palate features ripe Morello cherry, licorice and truffle before a black tea finish. Firm, refined tannins and fresh acidity keep balanced and give it an age-worthy structure. Drink 2024–2036.”

2004 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO

Antonio Galloni, Vinous: “The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is endowed with notable energy and class. Aromatic, vibrant and still quite fresh, the 2004 has it all. As is often the case with great wines, the 2004 is going to provide a wide window of pure drinking pleasure. Today, the 2004 is stellar, but it also has the pedigree to age well for many years. Hints of sweet tobacco, licorice and dried flowers all add nuance on the highly expressive, finessed finish. The 2004 is just beginning to enter the early part of its maturity, yet there is no rush; the 2004 is a long-distance runner.”

2019 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO VIGNA MONTOSOLI

Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “This is a gorgeous wine that really takes off in this vintage. It starts off with gentle floral aromas of lilac or dried violet and a hint of fragrant rose. The Canalicchio di Sopra 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli boasts an impeccable nose with elegant berry fruit and light minerality. All this beauty is transferred to the palate, where the wine shows very fine-grained tannins. The fruit flows steadily over a long, rich finish. The challenge is to get a fruit finish this long, considering Brunello's strong tannins, but this wine definitely succeeds..”

Eric Guido, Vinous: “The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli is coy in the glass, youthfully restrained and requires coaxing to reveal its delicate bouquet. With time, a dusty display of dried roses, licorice, cherries, cloves and camphor emanates from the glass. This model of purity is polished, silky and refined with savory spice and mineral-laden red fruits that saturate, all perfectly guided by brisk acidity. It leaves the palate stained in primary concentration, turning inward upon itself. Tart currant and mentholated herb notes add freshness to a web of fine-grained tannins. The 2019 is a breathtaking interpretation of Montosoli fruit.”

2018 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO VIGNA MONTOSOLI

Kerin O’Keefe: “Canalicchio di Sopra’s 2018 Vigna Montosoli, its debut single-vineyard bottling from this celebrated hill, is drop-dead gorgeous. Fragrant and all about elegance, it opens with enticing scents of wild rose, botanical herb, new leather and forest berry. Seamlessly fusing finesse and structure, the delicious palate delivers juicy Morello cherry, raspberry sprinkled with cinnamon, rosemary and thyme before a savory saline mineral finish. It boats great energy and impeccable balance, with taut, refined tannins and vibrant acidity. I just love it. Drink 2025–2038.”

2016 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO RISERVA

Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “Canalicchio di Sopra is faithful to the concept of Riserva, and there is always a marked, but proportional, stylistic difference between this wine (which is aged for 36 months in Slavonian casks) and the annata release. This is exact how it should be. Riserva is an extension of annata, not an exaggeration of it. From a classic vintage, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a special and highly collectible bottle. It shows depth and profound fruit with bright cherry, plum and crushed flower. It also manages greater concentration and density while maintaining its graceful personality. You'll need to add quite a few years of age to this wine. Production is a mere 4,133 bottles.”

Eric Guido, Vinous: “Dark and inward, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, a blend of the Montosoli and Vigna Vecchia Mercantale vineyards, lifts from the glass with an earthy blend of ashen stones and flowery undergrowth, giving way to balsam herbs and dried red fruits. Its velvety textures sweep across the palate, delivering ripe red and black fruits. A stern core of minerality adds a salty sensation, and fine-grain tannins slowly saturate. This finishes long and staining, still quite structured, leaving a pleasantly chewy sensation with licorice flavors. It will be many years before the 2016 is in a giving stage, but today, it is enjoyable on its potential alone.”

2007 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO RISERVA

Antonio Galloni, Vinous: “Canalicchio di Sopra’s 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva delivers the goods. A dark, enveloping wine, the Riserva is laced with black stone fruits, scorched earth, smoke, licorice and violets. As always, the style is intense and brooding to the core. In 2007, there is a little more raciness and early appeal to the Riserva than is often the case, but this remains a fairly muscular style of Brunello that will appeal most to readers who enjoy structured wines.”

2001 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO RISERVA

Eric Guido, Vinous: “The 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is deeper and darker than the Annata, not only in color but also in character. It has something of an animalistic feel, as notes of smoked meat, wet stone and white pepper evolve further into a display of savory cherry sauce, plums and a refreshing hint of mint. It’s textural and elegant, with a display of cool-toned black fruits, surprisingly dense for its age. There are inflections of violets, tobacco and licorice, as well as tannins that are not quite fully resolved which promise further development. Hints of brown spice, salty minerals and nervous acids mingle on the long, sultry finish. The 2001 Riserva still has a story to tell, and there’s plenty of time left to enjoy it. Tasted from the importer’s reserve cellar.”

2019 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO VIGNA LA CASACCIA

Eric Guido, Vinous: "The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casaccia is impossible to ignore. Ashen stones, violets and balsam herbs complicate depths of dried black cherries, sage and clove. This is deeply textural and seductive, balancing ripe red and black fruits with sweet spice and minty herbal tones that create a kaleidoscope of sensation on the palate. A salty flourish shines through the finale, along with a crunchy tinge of blackberry seeds to contrast, as fine-grained tannins wrap the senses with youthful poise and a bitter twang resonates. The 2019 may be immortal. La Casaccia is a showstopper."

2016 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO VIGNA LA CASACCIA

Eric Guido, Vinous: “The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casaccia opens slowly, youthfully coy and restrained. Swirling unlocks dusty red currants, exotic spice, cocoa and a minty freshness that keeps the glass in constant motion. It flows across the palate with textures of pure silk, still lifted as it always was, but now with more bassy notes of balsam herbs and dark black cherries. Its minerality comes through the finish, caking the palate with chalky concentration as dark chocolate complicates a saturation of primary red fruits. This is a wine for the ages.”

2015 CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO VIGNA LA CASACCIA

Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “The Canalicchio di Sopra 2015 Brunello di Montalcino La Casaccia represents a new chapter in this estate's long history. This is a single-vineyard expression from the Canalicchio area, one of the most interesting subzones on the northeast side of Montalcino. Giving identity to individual parcels gives an estate like this huge potential for further expression and experimentation. The site is a little over two hectares, and it has dense, mineral-rich clay soils that add more power and a heavier center of gravity. The vines were planted in 1990. I notice slightly firmer tannin here, with a very distinct level of acidity purity. You also get lasting berry fruit favors with blueberry and dried raspberry followed by spice, licorice and lavender buds from the south of France and the rim of the Mediterranean. The wine is distinguished by endnotes of balsam or medicinal herb that grow in strength with time. It offers plenty of volume and weight.”

This is an email ONLY offer.  Should you have any questions on these exciting wines, or would like to take advantage of this offer (that is only available until 11:59, Friday, April 19th), we are asking that you email orders to chris.deas@italianwinemerchants.com OR connect with your portfolio manager or mention receipt of this offer if calling the store. All orders are subject to confirmation. IWM is not responsible for typographical errors.

All my best,

Chris