Canalicchio di Sopra Rosso di Montalcino 2022

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