In Bond Fine Wine. 2010 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. Red italy - tuscany in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 98/100 (ML). Drinking window: 2016–2035. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Founded in 1962 by Primo Pacenti, Canalicchio di Sopra is one of Montalcino’s historic estates and was among the 12 founding members of the Brunello Consorzio. Today, the third generation of the Ripaccioli family manages 19 hectares of vineyards across two distinctive sites on Montalcino’s northern slopes: Canalicchio, known for its depth and aromatic complexity, and Montosoli, celebrated for its floral perfume, mineral tension and finesse. The estate’s Brunello traditionally combines fruit from both, while its single-vineyard bottlings explore their individual characters. Stylistically, Canalicchio di Sopra sits firmly in the classical camp of Brunello, with considerable concentration and ageing potential: balance, purity and tension rather than overt richness or oak.
Bruce Sanderson (BS) — 93/100 · Wine Spectator, 30/06/2015 · Drink 2019-2034
A solid red, displaying cooked plum and cherry flavors on a bed of dense tannins. Tight and compact on the finish, where youthful, exuberant tannins reign. Stays long and balanced in the end. Best from 2019 through 2034.
James Suckling (JS) — 96/100 · JamesSuckling.com, 19/01/2015
A ripe and rich intense wine with blackberry, plum and mineral character that goes to mushroom and peppermint. Full body, fine tannins and a juicy finish. So long and beautiful. Absolutely delicious now. But will be even better in three or four years.
Monica Larner (ML) — 98/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 01/02/2015 · Drink 2017-2030
The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino will blow you away. This is a delightful expression that boasts its extreme quality from the minute the wine is poured from the bottle. As you should expect, it just gets better and better with each additional minute in the glass. It opens to a vibrant dark ruby color and blackish-garnet hues. The bouquet is ever changing and shows a long succession of aromatic cha…