Canalicchio di Sopra
Canalicchio di Sopra
Montalcino, Toscana, Italy
In 1962, Primo Pacenti founded Azienda Agricola Canalicchio di Sopra, in Toscana's stunning Siena countryside. Situated in the Northeast side of the Montalcino hill, the farm extends for nearly 60 hectares, 20 hectares of which are cultivated with organically farmed vines and 2 hectares with olive groves.
From the very beginning, Primo believed in the land, and its suitability for high quality, elegant, and age worthy wines. The first bottle of Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino was produced in 1966, and in 1967, Canalicchio di Sopra was one of the twelve founders of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino.
Today, three generations live and work on the estate, inherently connected to the lands, and united by Primo’s aim: to produce the highest quality Montalcino possible. Primo’s son-in-law, Pier Luigi Ripaccioli, began working alongside his father in 1987, and Primo’s grandchildren, Simonetta, Marco and Francesco, joined the management team in 2001. Each generation has brought fresh, new inspiration to the family, while always respecting the region’s proud history.
AVAILABLE WINES
From our visit in August 2023.
Address: Loc. Casaccia · 53024 Montalcino, Siena, Italy
Website : https://www.canalicchiodisopra.com/en/home/home
Canalicchio di Sopra
Canalicchio di Sopra
Rosso di Montalcino
Produced mostly from their youngest vineyards, this Rosso represents their calling card for Canalicchio di Sopra wines: a young, fruity, and versatile expression of their estate Sangiovese. This comes mainly from vineyards located in the Canalicchio Cru, with ample clay, magnesium, iron and manganese soils. It was macerated and fermented in stainless over three weeks, before resting one year in Slavonian oak barrels (50 hL and 25 hL), and French oak barrels (750L).
Wild cherry, dark raspberry, balsam flood the floral palate, with graphite and gravels rolling underneath. Crunchy acidity stream this along the palate, while tight, finely grippy tannins house this through the herbal finish. Ample Brunello fruit gets declassified into here, making their Rosso a hot ticket.
“Francesco Ripaccioli's first year working with the family estate was 2007, while studying economics. He travelled to the U.S. over 20 days, pouring 15 wines at 17 dinners and Rosso was five vintages behind. Dad was selling off the grapes and when Francesco returned he made it his goal to revive Rosso di Montalcino. Every bit of declassified Brunello is destined to find its way into Rosso and it is essential to know that Francesco Ripaccioli is a huge fan of this vintage. He will surely make (Brunello) Riserva from 2022 (and almost for sure from Vigna Mercatale). This is in fact a great Rosso but more important it marks a return to a Canalicchio Rosso di Montalcino, this coming a year after a 2021 that was just a little bit too much. This according to Ripaccioli but many will beg to differ. No arguing the aromatic volume out of '22 that stuns and a flavour profile of pure sangiovese seduction. Drink 2024-2029. Tasted November 2024.” - 93 points, Michael Godel, WineAlign.com
"A delightful expression of the DOC from brothers Francesco and Marco Ripaccioli. Polished, fleshy and plush with ample red cherry fruit counterpointed by hints of rose jam and pine needle, and bright, mouthwatering freshness. Lively and impossible to dislike, this is from younger vines on clay-rich soils, although occasionally some of the fruit from the coveted Montosoli cru is also included. The wine spends 12 months in a mixture of very large Slavonian oak casks and French oak tonneaux. Drinking Window: 2024-2032.” - 92 points, Jason Millar, Decanter, August 31, 2024.
Read more about Canalicchio di Sopra here.
Vintage: 2022
Bottle Size: 750 mL
Bottles per Case: 6
Price per Bottle: $50
Style: Still
Region: Toscana
Appellation: Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Country: Italy
Grape: Sangiovese
Colour: Red
Vegan: Yes
Organic: No
Biodynamic: No
Natural: No
Low Intervention: Yes