In Bond Fine Wine. 2019 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. Red italy - tuscany in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 96/100 (VIN). Drinking window: 2025+. 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.
Monica Larner (ML) — 94/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 2023-12-14 · Drink 2025-2040
With a hint of candied cherry, grenadine or Shirley Temple, the Canalicchio di Sopra 2019 Brunello di Montalcino reveals purple blossom, dried flower, cough drop and balsam herb. The wine is very nicely stitched together with integrated oak that comes through in a structural way but not too much on the bouquet. The tannins do feel dry on the mid-palate, but they remain fine and tight. The alcohol…
James Suckling (JS) — 94/100 · JamesSuckling.com, 12/09/2023 · Drink 2026+
A medium-bodied red with pretty plum and berry aromas and flavors. Fine tannins and a fresh finish. Very fine and focused. Not the most structured but this is all about finesse and polish. Drinkable but better in two or three years.
Eric Guido (EG) — 96/100 · Vinous, 07/12/2023 · Drink 2026-2042
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…