Professional reviews
Robert Parker (98)
The Canalicchio di Sopra 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a beauty. It offers a brilliant interpretation of a warm and sunny vintage from cool, mineral-rich soils in an area with steep shifts between day and nighttime temperatures. This is one of those special wines in which the vintage characteristics fit the territory with the precision of a jigsaw puzzle. The bouquet is fluid and complex with tart cherry fruit, cola, licorice, aniseed and blue flower. That aniseed comes around a second time. The arrangement and order of those aromas changes with each successive swirl of the glass. This Riserva is fermented in stainless steel and aged in Slavonian oak casks for 36 months. Bottle production is shy of 7,000.
James Suckling (98)
An opulent red with black-cherry and plum aromas and flavors with undertones of orange peel and porcini mushrooms. It’s full-bodied and layered with depth and intensity throughout. Solid and layered. Very structured.
Jancis Robinson (17)
Grapes came from the Vigna Vecchia Mercatale vineyard.
Maturing lustrous mid ruby with bricky tinges. Still quite closed on the nose with nutty hints, but slowly opens up to rich red-cherry fruit with just a suggestion of oak. You could certainly decant this to let it breathe if you are in a hurry to serve this. Classy Sangiovese fruit that is almost a little bloody and with top notes of savoury cherry. Lots of juice yet still compact and with a thick layer of sandy tannins. Still not at its peak and with a big structure. (WS)
Falstaff (95)
Powerful, flinty ruby. Somewhat restrained nose with finely drawn notes of cherry jam and blackberry, behind it some leather and smoke. Grippy, finely-meshed tannin, shows a lot of power, gripping, firm drive on the finish .
Raffaele Vecchione (97)
Warm and extremely sensual in its main aroma, it displays notes of lime blossom, camphor, walnut husk, turmeric, sandalwood, red plums, and sweet caramel. It continues to evolve as the seconds pass in the glass, revealing depth and grace in nuances of chopped citron, orange juice, and bay leaves. Full-bodied, with perfectly ripe, silky tannins, a noble quality, and a juicy, flowing finish that delivers emotion with every sip. A masterpiece of Italian winemaking. Drink now or age.
