Canalicchio di Sopra

Azienda Agricola Canalicchio di Sopra is a Tuscan family-owned wine estate on the slopes of Montalcino best known for its Brunello wines. It was founded in 1962 by Primo Pacenti, formerly a peasant farmer under the terms of the mezzadria, the Tuscan sharecropping system whereby a property was worked in return for half the crop. The establishment of many older Brunello estates in the 1960s and 70s stem from the phasing out of this institution.

The estate is located in the hamlet from which it takes its name, on the northern side of the municipality of Montalcino. There are around 15 hectares (37 acres) of vines, split between two prestigious sites, one at Canalicchio di Sopra itself, and the other at Le Gode de Montosoli. These vineyards produce wines of differing levels of elegance and power that are blended carefully before bottling.

Canalicchio di Sopra's 2010 wines gained widespread attention after the Riserva and standard Brunello received 99 and 98 point scores respectively in Robert Parker's publication The Wine Advocate. The current portfolio mirrors the region's classic trio – a standard Brunello, a Riserva and a Rosso di Montalcino.

Care is needed to avoid confusion with the neighboring estate of Franco Pacenti, which is also located in Canalicchio di Sopra and features the word "Canalicchio" prominently on the label.