Sesta di Sopra

Wonderfully juicy and open Sangiovese from the Brunello winery Sesta di Sopra. Black cherries and plums blend with sweet spices and liquorice in an enjoyable wine that shows a lighter, but by no means banal side of the appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

Good, full red colour. Captivating aromas and flavours of ripe red cherry, spicy herbs and blackcurrant jelly are interwoven with bright liquorice and blood orange nuances. An exceptional Rosso that combines richness and vibrancy in a remarkably harmonious way. Closes creamy yet refined. Wow, this is more than the little brother of Brunello di Montalcino! SUPERIORE.DE

"A burst of crushed raspberry and sweet smoke comes together with cloves, cinnamon sticks and hints of worn leather as the 2021 Rosso di Montalcino opens in the glass. This is softly textured yet lifted in feel with ripe red fruits propelled by juicy acidity, as rosy inner florals add further depth. The 2021 tapers off structured and long, leaving the mouth watering even as grippy tannins resonate. The 2021 found excellent balance in this warm vintage." Vinous

"Here comes an intense and fruit-expressive Rosso di Montalcino that delivers excellent richness and freshness on the nose. Mineral, ripe strawberries, red plums and walnuts to the nose follow through to a tight, medium- to full-bodied palate. Quite vertical and structured with lots of tannins that give a comfortably grippy closure to the long, tight finish. A serious, outstanding Rosso di Montalcino." James Suckling

Our insider tip for years - only 9,000 bottles are coming onto the world market this year from the 2015 vintage! What hardly anyone knows: Enrica and Ettore learned how to make wine from none other than Giancarlo Pacenti.

The grapes for this vinophile masterpiece come from a small vineyard in Castelnuovo dell'Abate. Deep, full-bodied expression with warm aromatic layers that give an impressive intensity to the bouquet of dark plum, blackberry, dried cherry, liquorice, tar, black truffle and leather. Then on the palate a beguiling extract sweetness, again very complex and resonant, in silent harmony with the characteristics of the exceptional terroir. The 36 months very slow aging in large oak barrels sort for a wonderful harmony and a very good aging potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ample and round, sporting cherry, plum, earth and saline flavors. Well-mannered tannins are integrated, lending an overall impression of freshness. Fine length. Best from 2023 through 2040." Wine Spectator

"Deep red-ruby. Almost hypnotic aromas of ripe red cherry, black cherry-cola, incense, violet, dried rose and minerals. Structured and sweet red and darker fruit flavors are graceful and finely etched, picking up savory spice and floral elements with aeration. Perhaps a touch less multifaceted than some other Brunellos from this estate, but brimming with early appeal and enough balance to easily last another fifteen to twenty years in a good cellar." Vinous

"Here's an elegant and classic expression of the vintage. The Sesta di Sopra 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows solid balance with its dark fruit flavors offset by tart cherry and fresh menthol. The oak tones are nicely tucked in and integrated, offering substance that builds the wine's structure but does not take away from its elegance. Balanced acidity adds a pretty touch to the mouthfeel." Wine Advocate

"Beautiful ripeness, but also balance on the nose, which features cinnamon, dried cedar, dried plums, dark chocolate and licorice. Expansive and comprehensive on the palate with outward-veering tannins and lots of treacle-tart undertones. Chewy and decadent. Drink from 2025." James Suckling

Enrica and Ettore learned winemaking from none other than Giancarlo Pacenti. The grapes for this vinophile masterpiece come from a small vineyard in Castelnuovo dell'Abate. Deep, full-bodied expression with warm aromatic layers adding impressive intensity to the bouquet of dark plum, blackberry, dried cherry, liquorice, tar, black truffle and leather. Then on the palate, a beguiling extract sweetness, again very complex and resonant, in quiet unison with the characteristics of the exceptional terroir. The 36 months of very slow ageing in large oak barrels provide a wonderful harmony and a very good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"A taut, linear version, this red features cherry, strawberry, earth and tobacco flavors, allied to a dense structure. Compact right now, with less length than many of its peers, a little aging may allow it to relax and stretch out. Best from 2025 through 2042." Wine Spectator

"The dark and alluring bouquet of the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino really keeps you at the edge of the glass, where notes of tobacco and dried flowers give way to ripe black cherries, plum and hints of cloves. It’s velvety in texture, yet there's a lift of minerals and acids here that maintains wonderful balance. Concentrated red/black berries accumulate, coating the palate in primary fruit under an air of purple inner florals. Its tannic heft sneaks up on you, previously masked by the 2016’s youthful intensity. There’s so much going on here and so much more to come after five to ten years of cellaring." Vinous

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino turns the dial up a notch in terms of intensity and power. The bouquet reveals dark fruit, dried cherry, cassis, cola, spice and rosemary essence. I can't help but notice the wide aromatic presentation and the considerable depth. There is a touch of white chocolate or bitter almond as well that is unique to this wine. Winemaking is executed in a traditional manner, with aging in large Slavonian oak casks that lasts three careful years. The vineyard site is home to schistous galestro soils, and defining mineral characteristics are carried through on the close. Only 4,700 bottles were made." Wine Advocate

"This has a ripe, polished nose with plenty of ripe plums, cedar, sandalwood and toffee. It's full-bodied with firm, drying tannins. Wait for these to integrate. Lots of dark chocolate and juicy fruit on a very long finish." James Suckling

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino (of which only 4,000 bottles were made) offers great balance and a very pretty personality, based on bright cherries, some earthiness and crushed flowers on the nose. The wine is very supple and integrated, especially in terms of its polished tannins, and there is of course a wonderfully perky spot of bright acidity at the end. A beautiful wine full of verve and grace with waves of red and black berries over its savoury and mineral core. A rich, grippy tannin accompanies the juicy final, which ends with delicate notes of almonds and roses. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Brunello di Montalcino 2018 shows a medium-dark garnet red colour with a beautiful ruby-red sheen that underlines the careful extraction of the wine, which is neither too light nor too dark. The Sangiovese, with its aromas of wild berries, cherries, blue flowers and earthy roots, is given enough room to breathe and develop. Secondary flavours of spices and tar lend it aromatic weight and complexity. The fresh acidity and taut structure complete the palate. All in all, this is a very neat and compact wine that should develop well with a short period of bottle ageing. Only 4,000 bottles were produced." Wine Advocate

"Flavours of bark, walnuts, dark berries, cigar box and roasted espresso. Full-bodied with firm tannins. Muscular structure. Dark fruity, dense and brooding at the moment." James Suckling

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino exudes a dusty and incredibly beautiful blend of red plums, dried roses, worn leather and a hint of camphor. The palate is soft and supple, elegant and seamless, with purple-coloured red fruits underscored by salty mineral notes and spice. The finish is powerful, long and structured, with primary concentration mingling with youthful grippy tannins that create a chewy feel on the final." Vinous

"This tiny winery is located in the Sesta area - the wild south-east of Montalcino. The wines of Sesta di Sopra capture the fragrant Mediterranean vegetation and generous warmth - even in 2018. Violet, plum and cinnamon scents give way to exotic forest herbs and even porcini mushroom nuances. It is one of the more voluptuous representatives of the vintage, offering lush fruit framed by firm but seductively structured tannins. An appetising minerality pervades and the lingering juiciness invites you to take another sip." Decanter

Here is another outstanding 2019 Brunello from a winery that is still considered an insider tip given its small size and limited annual production. Medium, bright ruby red colour. Exotic aromas of minerals and citrus fruits, reminiscent of red cherries, blood oranges and Asian spices, with a floral nuance that gains strength with air. The palate is supple and expansive, with sweet flavours of red cherries and dark plums carried by a powerful acidity. Densely packed, at once fleshy and broad, but also lively and precise. On the strikingly long finish, it shows excellent power and cut, characterised by youthful, dusty tannins and a hint of candied violets. As is so often the case, this is one of the best Brunellos of the vintage and still completely under the radar of many Sangiovese lovers. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dense fruity bouquet, ripe red fruit, coffee. Juicy, creamy, dense, modern, intense, concentrated, creamy frame, warm final." Weinwisser

"The Brunello is made from the oldest vines, a single vineyard of one hectare planted in 1992. The warmth of south-east Montalcino is perceived in the aromas of Mediterranean shrubs and macerated cherries. A hint of nutmeg and iron gives the wine an added flavour. A full, shapely and enveloping Brunello that finds balance and lightness in its generous proportions. On the palate, it reveals a wonderful purity of black and redcurrants, and the compact, powdery tannins leave a clean finish. The final shows intense orange flavours." Decanter

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is simply stunning. It rises from the glass with a bouquet that combines minty herbs and hints of cocoa with sweet spices and blackberries. The palate is lapped by a texture of pure silk, introducing waves of polished red fruits and oranges, while rosy, floral notes build towards the finish. Although tannic and classically dry, the 2019 retains a lovely inner freshness, leaving a pleasant bitter tang and salty liquorice notes that slowly fade away. This is a fabulous result from Sesta di Sopra and an excellent representation of the Castelnuovo dell'Abate terroir." Vinous

"Subtle and refined on the nose with fresh flowers, sweet berries, orange peel and red cherries. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Racy and focused with finesse and drive." James Suckling

The Magistra Brunello was vinified for the second time in 2019. Produced in a small edition of just over 1,000 bottles, it is the estate's new flagship wine. It is an extremely rigorous selection of the best grapes from the small Magistra vineyard, which is located south of Montalcino at around 400 metres above sea level. The vines are surrounded by a holm oak forest, which benefits from exposure with night-time ventilation from the Orcia Valley. This favours the development of the aromas, which are noticeable in the intense Sangiovese bouquet of crushed sour cherries, spiced blood oranges, minty herbs and a hint of sweet smoke. Silky yet lively on the palate, driven by a lively acidity that effortlessly carries the mineral fruit of the red berries across the palate together with the polished tannins. A gem of a wine! SUPERIORE.DE

"The second vintage of this bottling, Magistra is a selection made in the vineyard in collaboration with the estate’s long-time oenologist Lorenzo Scotto. Matured in smaller casks than the classic Brunello, it is still in the throes of its wood-driven youth. Aromas of cedar and vanilla join rich, luscious plum on the palate. Densely concentrated with a grainy texture, this is shored up by substantial, sturdy tannins." Decanter

"Extremely perfumed with flowers, cherries, dark earth and bark. Some black truffle. Medium body. Fine tannins that are polished yet firm. Slightly chewy on the finish. A refined and structured young Brunello. A special selection from here. Needs four or five years to develop." James Suckling

Sesta di Sopra is not only one of our many real insider tips, but also presents a powerful and at the same time wonderfully balanced wine in this important vintage. The 2015 Riserva impressively presents a masculine and muscular personality in the glass. The nose smells strikingly of dark fruits, wild berries, sour cherries, leather and tobacco. All these components blend seamlessly together. On the palate, a medium texture and density and, as it progresses, a fantastically long finish. This is a prime example of the great 2015 Riserva vintage and a wine of great inner class and elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva balances strikingly vibrant cherry and strawberry with classic leather and earth tones. Its textural red berry fruits coast across the palate with an almost-creamy feel, complemented by hints of licorice and spice. Grippy tannins take hold throughout the long and austere finish, as inner florals slowly fade." Vinous

"This red is dense and monolithic, with gripping tannins surrounding the core of blackberry and dark plum fruit. Mediterranean scrub, tar and iron notes add detail as this finishes long and tense. Best from 2025." Wine Spectator

"Here's a precious wine with a mere 900 bottles in existence. The Sesta di Sopra 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva opens to a tight and dense bouquet that takes a little extra effort to unpack. At this very young stage in the wine's life, you get dark cherry and wild plum, with subtle spice, earth, cola and medicinal herb. This estate farms schistous soils (galestro), and that mineral imprint of pencil shaving, brimstone and gravel is unmistakable." Wine Advocate

"Lots of richness and depth to this with superb aromas and flavors. High intensity. Notes of clove, sandalwood and cedar mingle with walnuts and dried violets. Crushed gravel, too. This has juicy black cherries, vanilla and more cloves on the palate. Full body and firm yet refined tannins. Drink from 2023." James Suckling

Here is another outstanding 2019 Brunello from a winery that is still considered an insider tip given its small size and limited annual production. Medium, bright ruby red colour. Exotic aromas of minerals and citrus fruits, reminiscent of red cherries, blood oranges and Asian spices, with a floral nuance that gains strength with air. The palate is supple and expansive, with sweet flavours of red cherries and dark plums carried by a powerful acidity. Densely packed, at once fleshy and broad, but also lively and precise. On the strikingly long finish, it shows excellent power and cut, characterised by youthful, dusty tannins and a hint of candied violets. As is so often the case, this is one of the best Brunellos of the vintage and still completely under the radar of many Sangiovese lovers. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dense fruity bouquet, ripe red fruit, coffee. Juicy, creamy, dense, modern, intense, concentrated, creamy frame, warm final." Weinwisser

"The Brunello is made from the oldest vines, a single vineyard of one hectare planted in 1992. The warmth of south-east Montalcino is perceived in the aromas of Mediterranean shrubs and macerated cherries. A hint of nutmeg and iron gives the wine an added flavour. A full, shapely and enveloping Brunello that finds balance and lightness in its generous proportions. On the palate, it reveals a wonderful purity of black and redcurrants, and the compact, powdery tannins leave a clean finish. The final shows intense orange flavours." Decanter

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is simply stunning. It rises from the glass with a bouquet that combines minty herbs and hints of cocoa with sweet spices and blackberries. The palate is lapped by a texture of pure silk, introducing waves of polished red fruits and oranges, while rosy, floral notes build towards the finish. Although tannic and classically dry, the 2019 retains a lovely inner freshness, leaving a pleasant bitter tang and salty liquorice notes that slowly fade away. This is a fabulous result from Sesta di Sopra and an excellent representation of the Castelnuovo dell'Abate terroir." Vinous

"Subtle and refined on the nose with fresh flowers, sweet berries, orange peel and red cherries. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Racy and focused with finesse and drive." James Suckling