Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016

A wine that aims to demonstrate the power and elegance of the vintage, the dense tannic texture supported by the Sangiovese's flavour, freshness, depth and harmony of a great classic vintage in Montalcino.

Produced only in great vintages and in limited quantities from the oldest vineyards of the company, it represents the qualitative flag of the company: an expression of the concepts they hold dearest to Canalicchio di Sopra Eleganza, Terroir, Depth. At least 80% of the grapes come from a single vineyard: Vigna Vecchia Mercatale.

Canalicchio di Sopra's Riserva is typically crafted from the estate's oldest plantings. In 2016, it combines two sites: Vigna Vecchia Mercatale in Canalicchio and the Filari Lunghi vineyard on the Montosoli hill. It is intensely balsamic in fragrance, flaunting mint and rosemary on a backdrop of dark, rain-soaked soil. Flint and tobacco notes hover in the background. The palate is pure and upright. Tight, linear tannins penetrate the compact core of brooding blackberries. Then, the palate is suddenly refreshed by a tangy, stony minerality. This still needs time to meld, but all the elements are there for long life.

Lovely sweet black cherries and blackberries on the nose with lots of flowers. Full-bodied with fine, dusty tannins that are polished and beautiful. It's very poised and pretty now but will deliver much more with bottle age. Goes on and on. 

Canalicchio di Sopra is faithful to the concept of Riserva, and there is always a marked but proportional stylistic difference between this wine (aged for 36 months in Slavonian casks) and the annata release. This is precisely how it should be. Riserva is an extension of annata, not an exaggeration of it. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a special and highly collectible bottle from a classic vintage. It shows depth and profound fruit with bright cherry, plum and crushed flowers. It also manages greater concentration and density while maintaining its graceful personality.