Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016

100 points Luca Gardini: "Richness and complexity for a Riserva for years at the top of his category. From Vigna Vecchia Mercatale and Vigna Casaccia, on the skins for 28 days in steel, then at least 42 months in Slavonian oak. Raspberry jam on the nose, salty touches of Taggiasche olives, finish on the notes of rhubarb. Mouth with iodized tannins, persistence and fruity return. (Nov 2021)"

98 points Michaela Morris (Decanter): "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 black brooding berries. Then, the palate is suddenly refreshed by a tangy, stony minerality. This still needs time to meld, but all the elements are there for a long life. Drinking Window: 2025-2042. (11/20/21)"

97+ points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "Canalicchio di Sopra is faithful to the concept of Riserva, and there is always a marked, but proportional, stylistic difference between this wine (which is aged for 36 months in Slavonian casks) and the annata release. This is exact how it should be. Riserva is an extension of annata, not an exaggeration of it. From a classic vintage, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a special and highly collectible bottle. It shows depth and profound fruit with bright cherry, plum and crushed flower. It also manages greater concentration and density while maintaining its graceful personality. You'll need to add quite a few years of age to this wine. Production is a mere 4,133 bottles. Drink: 2025-2050. (2/17/22)"

97 points Eric Guido (Vinous): "Dark and inward, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, a blend of the Montosoli and Vigna Vecchia Mercantale vineyards, lifts from the glass with an earthy blend of ashen stones and flowery undergrowth, giving way to balsam herbs and dried red fruits. Its velvety textures sweep across the palate, delivering ripe red and black fruits. A stern core of minerality adds a salty sensation, and fine-grain tannins slowly saturate. This finishes long and staining, still quite structured, leaving a pleasantly chewy sensation with licorice flavors. It will be many years before the 2016 is in a giving stage, but today, it is enjoyable on its potential alone. Drink: 2026-2040. (Dec 2023)"

97 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Ripe black-skinned fruit, violet, truffle and new leather are just some of the aromas you’ll find on this gorgeous red. Delicious and full-bodied, the smooth, elegantly structured palate features juicy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and tobacco accompanied by a velvety backbone of taut, fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2024–2036. (Nov 2021)"

97 points James Suckling: "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 so much more with bottle age. Goes on and on. Drink after 2024. (10/12/21)"

96 points Falstaff Guide: "Powerful, dark garnet red. Opens on the nose with notes of malt coffee, dried plum and ripe wild raspberry. Hearty and grippy tannins on the palate, full-bodied, beautifully ripe fruit, shows good drive on the finish. Alcohol 14.5%. (10/17/22)"