Mission Codename Rare bird
This, dear Operatives, is the BEST Tuscan we have ever tasted.
There you go. We said it. And we mean it.
AND we said it before Vinous came out with his 98 points, raving “nothing less than spectacular… in a word: monumental… truly epic… Don’t miss it.”
The early enthusiasm came with a little more wine too, so if you’re seeing this, consider yourself lucky and grab some before this rare bird goes the way of the dodo.
Are there bigger, richer 2016s out there? You bet! And what about all that Brunello from the “vintage of the century” that are not yet released? Well… those will take a while to show up, and we can revisit that thought when they do. For now, this is THE ONE.
Here’s why we’re not crazy. Antonio Galloni rated the 2015 vintage of this a whopping 98 points, and we were lucky enough to compare that and this 2016 side by side. Guess what? This showed better! A whole lot better! As in it has the potential to be the first 101 rated wine in history better?! In praise of the 2015 Galloni wrote, *“What a thrill it is to taste, compelling, truly stratospheric…” so turn that up a notch for this 2016, if that’s even possible…
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has yet to review the 2016, but the average rating for the past decade of vintages of I Sodi consistently cruises above the 95-point mark. Among the endless praise the estate has garnered, “an unquestionable reputation for consistency and excellence” sums it all up nicely.
A true press darling, I Sodi has won numerous ‘perfection’ Tre Bicchieri accolades from Gambero Rosso and has appeared in Wine Spectator’s Top-100 several times over the years. This 2016 may as well be the best yet. Imagine traveling in time to pile up on the 1985 Sassicaia upon release, at an unbeatable price. This opportunity is up there, trust us.
98 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
“One of the first vertical tastings I did in Chianti Classico was a complete vertical of I Sodi di San Niccolò about fifteen years ago with proprietor Paolo Panerai and winemaker Alessandro Cellai. It was a key moment in my understanding of the region and the potential of its wines. Since then, Panerai and Cellai have scaled even greater heights. This year’s wines are tremendous. Castellare’s I Sodi di San Niccolò is the single most overlooked high-end wine in Tuscany today. The 2016 picks up where the 2015 left off. A rush of inky dark fruit, lavender, spice, licorice, gravel, blueberry and menthol builds as the 2016 shows off its exceptional balance and pedigree. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 needs a few years in bottle to fully come together. Even so, the 2016 has been nothing less than spectacular on the two occasions I have tasted it so far. In a word: monumental. The 2016 I Sodi di San Niccolò is truly epic. In addition to being magnificent, the 2016 Sodi offers unreal value in the world of high-end, cellarworthy wine. Don’t miss it. Drink 2026-2041.”
What the Winery Says
2016 'I Sodi di San Niccolò' Toscana IGT
- Winemaker
- Alessandro Cellai
- Proprietor
- Paolo Panerai
- Vintage
- 2016
- Varietal
- 85% Sangioveto, 15% Malvasia Nera
- Commune
- Castellina, Chianti Classico, Tuscany
- Vineyard
- I Sodi di San Niccolò
- Soils
- Calcareous clay-loam
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Elevation
- 1,450 feet
- Vines/acre
- 1,600
- Exposure
- Southwestern
- Year vineyard planted
- 1970
- First vintage
- 1979
- Aging
- 24 months
- Barrels
- 50% new French oak