San Giusto a Rentennano – Low Production High Critical Acclaim Artisan Producer
Fattoria San Giusto a Rentennano is an Italian winery based in the region of Tuscany, where both Chianti Classico and Classico Riserva wines are made, but are particularly famous for its two non-classified Toscana IGT wines of La Ricolma and Percalo.
In a recent retrospective of the La Ricolma wines on Vinous.com, Antonio Galloni states that “today San Giusto a Rentennano sits comfortably alongside the best artisan estates anywhere and that La Ricolma is among the world’s most pedigreed wines.”
As with the cases for most high quality wines, the secret ingredient lies in the vineyard. The estate is comprised of 160 hectares, situated at an average altitude of 270 meters above sea level. 31 hectares are planted in vineyards, 11 in olive groves, 40 in woods, 78 in cultivated and grazing lands. The terrain is composed of various soils rich in different mineral components, sand, clay, lime, alkali, argil and calcium. The microclimate is characterized by considerable day and night temperature differences and often heat during harvest time. All the vineyards enjoy exceptionally favourable exposure. The farming methods remain largely manual and exclusively organic certified.
La Ricolma is made from 100% Merlot grapes especially selected from prime vineyards and hand-picked when perfectly mature. Annual production averages around 3,500 bottles. With the 2015 and 2016 both getting 100 points from Antonio Galloni, and the low production (Petrus, another Merlot based wine, for example has an average annual production of 30,000 bottles), it is only a matter of time the prices on these bottles shot up.
Percarlo is made from 100% estate grown Sangiovese grapes, especially selected bunch per bunch, from the best zones in the vineyards. This wine is not made in years that the quality is deemed insufficient, and has great ageing ability. Average annual production is again 3,500 bottles.
We are always on the lookout for this estate’s wines, and are delighted to be able to offer the below wines all in stock in Hong Kong.
Offer subject to final confirmation and remaining unsold. E. & O. E.
San Giusto a Rentennano La Ricolma 2015
HKD 1,600 per 75cl
The 2015 La Ricolma confirms its place as one of the greatest wines ever made at San Giusto. Powerful and ripe, with tons of backing structure, the 2015 will thrill readers lucky enough to own it for many years to come. A rush of super-ripe dark red fruit, blood orange, mint, chalk, truffle and dried flowers builds into the huge, resonant finish. Next to the 2016, the 2015 has firmer tannins that are going to require time in bottle to soften.
Score: 100
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, December 2019
San Giusto a Rentennano Percarlo 2015
HKD 700 per 75cl
The 2015 Percarlo, the estate's 100% Sangiovese, towers in the glass with huge, dark fruit to match its powerful, vertical structure. Ample and expansive on the palate, with huge textural depth, the 2015 is a total stunner. The darker, more muscular side of Sangiovese emerges in this gorgeous, absolutely stunning wine. Black cherry, lavender, spice and smoke overtones fill out the wine's big frame effortlessly. Proprietor Luca Martini di Cigala aged the 2015 in a combination of cask and tonneau. The 2015 Percarlo is a riveting wine readers will not want to miss.
Score: 98
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, February 2019
San Giusto a Rentennano Percarlo 2013
HKD 700 per 75cl
A wine of extraordinary finesse, the 2013 Percarlo is utterly magnificent. Creamy and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2013 speaks to finesse more than the power and explosiveness that is often found here. With time in the glass, the mid-palate fleshes out and the flavors gain in intensity and darkness. When young, Percarlo is often forbiddingly tannic, but the gradual move towards larger format barrels and casks has, among other things, given the wine much more textural elegance. I can't wait to see how it ages. This is one of the most complete and strikingly beautiful wines of the vintage.
Score: 98
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, October 2016