“Percarlo” Sangiovese di Toscana IGT 2022 (BIO)

San Giusto a Rentennano | Tuscany
Fattoria San Giusto a Rentennano| Loc. S.G. a Rentennano | IT 53013 Gaiole in Chianti

29572422 · 0,75 l · 126,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Limitation of 4 articles per customer

1983 was the first year. Luca Martini di Cigala, who was at that time in the process of taking over an estate that was still selling its wine in bulk to Antinori and Ruffino, decided to do the opposite of what many of his contemporaries were doing: no international grape varieties, no modernisation of the label, no barriques full of vanilla. A single wine, from a single vineyard, made from a single grape variety. Sangiovese. San Giusto a Rentennano. – Percarlo made its debut with the 1983 vintage – and immediately began to rewrite the history of Chianti Classico. The wine's philosophy is that of its maker: the vineyard comes before the cellar. The grapes for Percarlo are not selected by plot; instead, every bunch of grapes is examined, every vine, every site. The yield is one kilogram per vine. This has been the approach since 2001, because Martini di Cigala recognised how inconsistent Sangiovese can be from vine to vine, even within the same plot. The soils that give Percarlo its character date predominantly from the Pliocene – layers of sand and stones, two to five metres deep, resting on a bed of clay and earth. Mineral-rich, well-drained, with the ability to influence the Sangiovese over the years.

Fermentation takes place in glazed concrete tanks, steel and wood, using natural yeasts, with the must remaining in contact with the skins for up to 35 days. No pressure, no rush. Then comes the crucial step: Martini di Cigala completely abandoned the use of barriques around two decades ago. Sangiovese, he says, is too sensitive to oxygen for small barrels. Today, Percarlo is aged exclusively in large 30-hectolitre wooden vats andLiters for 20 to 22 months. It is then aged for a further 15 months in the bottle before leaving the estate.

In Gaiole, 2022 was a vintage characterised by power and concentration: a warm, consistent growing season, a dry summer and good polyphenol ripeness. For a wine like the Percarlo, which prioritises time above all else, this meant depth without heaviness, and structure without aggression. An intense, deep, luminous ruby red with garnet highlights. The bouquet is initially complex and restrained: red cherries, dried berries, raspberry, camphor, damp earth, violets, bay leaf and a hint of dry tobacco. With aeration, it opens up to reveal aromas that no other Tuscan grape variety displays quite like this. On the palate, it is full-bodied and velvety, with a wave of rich fruit over delicate, precise tannins and an acidity that supports the wine like a backbone. A long, mineral-salty finish that seems to go on forever. A wine that demonstrates that Percarlo's greatest vintages are not necessarily the most flamboyant. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Percarlo is truly impressive. I can't wait to see how it ages. Lush and bursting with the essence of dark red fruits, spices, cedarwood, new leather, pomegranate and blood orange, the 2022 flows beautifully. I wouldn't dream of opening a bottle any time soon. A hint of rose petals, cinnamon and dried herbs lingers in the powerful finish." Vinous

"Allow this complex, intense wine to breathe in the glass. On the nose, it captivates with notes of bergamot and potpourri, and unfolds lively, full-bodied and spicy aromas of black cherries, eucalyptus and citrus leaves. Medium to full-bodied, with firm, grainy tannins, a velvety texture, refreshing acidity and a powerful yet harmonious structure. A wine with great ageing potential." James Suckling

"This dense version is silky and beautifully balanced, saturated with blackberry, black currant, raspberry, violet, earth and iron flavors. while powdery tannins and vibrant acidity provide plenty of support. A hint of vanilla from the oak treatment peeks through on the finish. This is elegant and stylish overall." Wine Spectator