100-pt Stunner Leads a Near-PERFECT Vertical from a Tuscan Icon

Why Buy: Greatness like this doesn’t come along very often, so take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to nab three jaw-dropping vintages of the estate’s flagship Percarlo, a supernal Sangiovese: the 100 point 2020, the 99 point 2016, and the 99 point 2021. As if that weren't dazzlement enough, we've also secured a bonus bottle of their exceptional 97-point Vin Santo Giusto Passito Bianco.

What They're Saying: Over the last few years in particular, San Giusto a Rentennano has "taken its wines into the stratosphere and firmly placed them among the world's most pedigreed [expressions]." So wrote Antonio Galloni of Vinous, and the mind-blowing library release we’re privileged to present today is stunning proof of that greatness. Galloni eloquently described the 2016 vintage as "pliant, silky, and exceptionally polished," possessing a profile that is "exceptionally beautiful and moving from the very first taste." His praise only intensified for the 2020 release, which he awarded a perfect 100 points, hailing it as "a wine of nearly indescribable finesse" with "mind-blowing balance and barely any perception of tannin." And the 2021? Galloni was simply floored, declaring it "stunning, with striking complexity" and praising its "mind-blowing balance" and "vivid, exceptionally polished finish." 

Our Tasting Notes: 

• The 2016 Percarlo is a striking paradox — on the one hand, such dense, penetrating flavors (black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, dried wild herbs), and on the other, such fine-grained, caressing tannins. The result? A wine with everything — intensity and concentration, but also balance and poise. The finish lingers on, hinting at the wine's potential to continue to  evolve with time in the cellar.
• In the 2020 vintage, we find a wine of nearly indescribable finesse. Darker fruit tones of blackberry and blueberry mingle with freshly cracked black pepper and cigar box, all held together by seamlessly integrated, well-polished tannins that lend an expansive, mouth-filling texture. The finish is an absolutely riveting display of elegance and sinuousness.
• The best way to think of the 2021 Percarlo is as a captivating synthesis of its predecessors. Vibrant red berry fruit converges with savory herbs, leather, and an intriguing mineral undertone, and the fine-grained, sculpted tannins keep you marveling at the sheer delicacy and intricacy of the winemaking.
• The Vin Santo is a beguiling wine, complex and layered, that balances rich, honeyed flavors with a refreshing backbone of acidity. Best of all is its nectar-like finish, long and smooth and memorable.

The Story: The Martini di Cigala family's viticultural lineage in Tuscany stretches back centuries, with historical records showing their involvement in the region as early as the 17th century. It wasn't until the 1950s, however, that the family acquired the San Giusto a Rentennano estate, whose origins date back to the 12th century, or what historians call the "High Middle Ages." Today, siblings Luca and Lucia Martini di Cigala carry on this long legacy of stewardship, their passion, dedication, and drive propelling the estate into the pantheon of Italy's most celebrated producers. The secret to their unparalleled success lies in a meticulous approach to both viticulture and vinification. In the vineyards, they practice organic and biodynamic farming, eschewing chemical interventions in favor of a holistic, terroir-driven philosophy. And in the cellar, the team is equally fastidious, employing gentle handling techniques and judicious use of oak to allow the purest expressions of their prized Sangiovese to emerge. The results have been nothing short of remarkable, year after incredible vintage, earning these wines a place among the world's finest.

The Specs: The Percarlo is San Giusto a Rentennano's flagship red, a 100% Sangiovese masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of this revered estate. After a careful hand-harvest, the grapes undergo a temperature-controlled fermentation with minimal intervention, preserving the purity of the fruit. The wine then spends 18-24 months aging in a combination of new and used French oak barrels, developing the signature structure and nuanced complexity that have made Percarlo a global benchmark for Tuscan winemaking. The Vin Santo, meanwhile, is a rare and exceptional sweet wine crafted from a blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes. The fruit is meticulously dried on straw mats for several months before pressing and aging in small oak casks for a minimum of 7 years. 

Fun Fact: The San Giusto a Rentennano estate takes its name from the 12th century church that sits at the heart of the property. Dedicated to Saint Justus, this Romanesque structure has overlooked the family's vineyards for centuries, serving as silent witness to the unfolding of a winemaking legacy.

Our Guarantee: Remember, friends — we always buy and source direct, so you can be confident that your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. This is a rare opportunity to secure an extraordinary vertical tasting of one of Italy's most celebrated reds, as well as an exceptional Vin Santo. Act now to secure yours!