Saturday, October 1st, 2022
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Dear Artisans,
Once upon a time:
đź‘Ž Masseto did not cost $1,000+
đź‘Ž Fontodi Flaccianello did not cost $200+
đź‘Ž Tignanello did not cost $150+
đź‘Ž Sassicaia did not cost $300+
đź‘Ž It was not hard to find allocations
đź‘Ť Yet somehow San Giusto a Retennano remained at shockingly fair prices, as if it were "the good old days"
Sadly, this is the last vintage where that's the case. After achieving 99pt scores for their Ricolma Merlot (long sold out) they're no longer flying under-the-radar:
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This praise isn't just from Vinous — their 2016 Chianti Classico was ranked as Wine Spectator's #3 Wine of 2019 as shown below.
(We're offering the superb 2019 vintage today)
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Five rare wines from San Giusto a Rentennano are offered today:
2018 Percarlo IGT <— Will remind you of a blend between Flaccianello & Tignanello
- 850 cases made — 175 cases imported
- 16 bottles left
- VM 97
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$149.99 btl, $326.97 magnum
2017 Percarlo IGT <— Will remind you of a blend between Flaccianello & Tignanello
- 850 cases made — 175 cases imported
- 6 bottles left
- VM 97, RV 97, WS 95
- $149.97
2018 "Le Baroncole" Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG <— Will remind you of Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo
- 280 cases imported
- 52 bottles left
- [WA 94] [VM 93]
- $59.97
2019 Chianti Classico DOCG <— 2016 was Rank #3 WS Top 100
- 700 cases imported
- 48 bottles left
- RV 94, WA 92, VM 91+
- $36.97 <— Lowest price in CA
2013 Vin San Giusto (Vin Santo) 375 mL
- 190 cases made
- 6 bottles left
- WA 96, VM 95
- $99.97 <— Lowest price in CA
Their property dates back to 1204. Incredible!
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Hello to our VIP collectors,
San Giusto was the last Cult Super-Tuscan the world had yet to discover. This is like buying Masseto, Sassicaia, Tignanello or Flaccianello in the EARLY vintages...
Despite being hailed as one of the greatest wines in the world — the San Giusto wines were very elusive. You see, collectors all around the world already seek out the prized selections of Montevertine Le Pergole Torte, Fontodi Flaccianello, and Isole e Olena Cepparello, because they already know they offer the finest expressions of Sangiovese from outside of Montalcino.
What's missing from this illustrious Tuscan lineup is the quiet artisanal sleeper from the medieval monastery of San Giusto a Rentennano's 100% Sangiovese flagship that perhaps blows them all out of the water (for your palate) named: Percarlo.
These wines are, as Antonio Galloni claims, "No longer among the most profound wines in Tuscany, or Italy for that matter. San Giusto is world-class. It’s as simple as that."
About Percarlo: This unicorn debuted with the 1983 vintage and currently enjoys status as San Giusto a Rentennano’s most renowned bottling. It derives from low-yielding vines representing six cru sites that feature ancient soils of sand and stone, and a clay foundation. As Percarlo is crafted as a wine of considerable concentration, the grapes utilized ripen beyond the mature stage. Its stylistic orientation is born out further through the vinification regimen, which entails a fairly extensive maceration of 18 days, followed by barrique aging for a period of 20 to 22 months. It is bottled unfiltered and ages for an additional 6 months in bottle prior to being released. With peers such as Flaccianello and Cepparello, Percarlo operates in Sangiovese’s cult realm. Its minute production level derives, in part, from a highly regimented grape selection process: In some vintages, the entire grape production is deemed unfit.
It is a Super Tuscan that drinks like a well-endowed Brunello of massive proportions, and it is the product of low-yielding vines located in six grand cru-like vineyard sites of Gaiole. This wine’s age-worthiness challenges that of Barolo and the finest Cabernets of the Medoc and Napa. Stylistically, this quiet sleeper of San Giusto lands somewhere between the structured Le Pergole Torte of Montevertine and the expansive Flaccianello of Fontodi. It is a wine that will appeal to Brunello and Barolo enthusiasts, but also those who appreciate structured Burgundy.
While it is undoubtedly Percarlo and Ricolma that steal the attention at this prized address, the greatness of San Giusto begins with the estate’s straight Chianti Classico — not Gran Selezione or Riserva — just classic, traditional Chianti Classico. Our beloved Giovanni Manetti of Fontodi may have said it best of his under-the-radar neighbor, “Enrico and Luca are making better Sangiovese than me…. It is incredible to me that more do not know about this estate.” Strong words from the maestro of Sangiovese! If you love Sangiovese, you will want to experience this pinnacle expression of Chianti Classico.
However, the estate DOES produce a Riserva, and a micro-production Vin Santo—labeled Vin San Giusto—is regarded as a standard bearer in its class.
More History on San Giusto a Rentennano
The history of this exceptional vineyard is extraordinary even in Tuscany, which is now truly not poor in history. The name San Giusto a Rentennano testifies to its Etruscan origin. The oldest part of the splendid property was a monastery in the Middle Ages, first mentioned in 1204, later converted into a fortress whose towers and battlements still dominate the hills of southern Tuscany near Gaiole in Chianti.
The Ricasoli family of Chianti Classico fame (Baron Bettino Ricasoli authored the original formula for Chianti in 1874) presided over the estate for several centuries, with Enrico Martini di Cigala assuming ownership in 1957. It is presently overseen by three of Cigala’s children—Franceso, Luca, and Elisabetta. The estate—which is situated in the Gaiole zone of the Chianti appellation—comprises 160 hectares, 30.5 of which are planted to vines, and benefits from a microclimate marked by a dramatic fluctuation between day and night temperatures.
Since 2001 the farm has been gradually converted to organic farming, first the olive groves, then the vineyards - and since 2006 all the land on the estate has been certified. Organic farming is lived here. Power generation from solar energy, own composting, consistent waste avoidance and recyclable packaging. Simply exemplary.
We list the last bottles remaining for each below.
Cheers and Ciao,
—James Tran
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2018 Percarlo IGT
- 16 bottles left
- 100% Sangiovese aged in French oak
- Lowest NorCal price
- Similar to a blend between Flaccianello & Tignanello
- 850 cases made / 175 cases imported
- Drink 2024-2045
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97 Points - Vinous:
"The 2018 Percarlo is another fabulous wine in this range from San Giusto. Ample and creamy, the 2018 dazzles with its total sense of finesse. In 2018, Percarlo is silky, gracious and super-refined. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral and spice overtones that lend brightness. It shows remarkably well for a wine that was bottled only recently. The 2018 was aged in a combination of 30HL casks and 500-liter tonneaux. Drink 2026-2043." -Antonio Galloni (9/2021)
96 Points - Raffaele Vecchione, Winescritic.com (via Google translate):
"Ripe and concentrated, it displays notes of black plums, blackberries, sweet caramel, bay leaves, cloves and juniper berries. Full body, smooth and decidedly silky in the sip it closes sustained, radiant and engaging. Drink now."
$149.99 btl
$326.97 1.5 L Magnum
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2017 Percarlo [Sangiovese] IGT
- 6 bottles left
- 100% Sangiovese aged in French oak
- Similar to a blend between Flaccianello & Tignanello
- 850 cases made / 175 cases imported
- Drink 2023-2040
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97 Points - Vinous:
"The 2017 Percarlo is an exotic beauty. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, with tremendous fruit density, the 2017 packs a serious punch. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, menthol and earthy notes emerge over time, but the tannins remain imposing. Like the Baròncole, the Percarlo needs cellaring to be at its best. The 2017 was much more forthcoming from barrel. It will reveal all of that sumptuousness once again, but not soon. Drink 2025-2042." - Antonio Galloni (8/2020)
97 Points - Raffaele Vecchione, Winescritic.com (via Google translate):
"Pure magic in the glass in the gentle, persuasive and extremely delicate notes, reminiscent of lime blossom and magnolia well blended with violet, lavender, hyacinth, white pepper, talcum powder and dehydrated cherries. More floral than fruity, it shows a medium-full body, rigid biting tannins that seek the length and an extremely true finish that has always characterized the wines of San Giusto a Rentennano. Best from 2024."
95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This red is saturated with blackberry, black currant, violet, iron and spice flavors. Powerful tannins lend support and this finishes with lingering fruit and rustic tannins, with terrific length. Best from 2023 through 2036. 850 cases made, 175 cases imported." - BS (10/15/2021)

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2018 Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG "Le Baroncole"
- 52 bottles left
- Similar to Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo
- 1,000 cases made, 280 cases imported.
- Drink now-2036
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96 Points - Raffaele Vecchione, Winescritic.com (via Google translate):
"Solid and performing in the glass offering notes of red plums, sour cherries, lavender flowers and hibiscus. In the background green mandarin and bergamot intertwine augmenting the complexity. Full bodied, rounded and enveloping, rich and decidedly brilliant on the palate and a compressed finale that needs time to lengthen. Better from 2024."
94 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Le Baròncole (made from a traditional blend of organic 97% Sangiovese and 3% Canaiolo) shows a distinctively Mediterranean or Italian personality with plenty of summer-fresh cherry, rosemary essence and lavender bud. This wine marks a break from the other beautiful wines in this estate portfolio, thanks to its ethereal freshness and lifted brightness. It finishes with silky, polished tannins. The soils see a mix of galestro and alberese with tufo and clay characteristic of this warm spot in Gaiole in Chianti." - Monica Larner (10/7/2021)
93 Points - Vinous:
"The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Le Baròncole is a deep, enveloping wine that will drink well with minimal cellar. Dark cherry and plum fruit open first, giving the wine tons of immediacy. The French oak, which was once a bit dominant in this bottling, is beautifully integrated. Lavender, spice, leather and dried herbs add attractive aromatic top notes with aeration. The 2018 is one of the finest editions of the Baroncole I can remember tasting." - Antonio Galloni (9/2021)
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2019 Chianti Classico DOCG
- 48 bottles left
- 2016 was WS #3 Top 100
- Lowest price in California
- Similar to Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo
- 4,000 cases made, 700 cases imported.
- Drink now-2033
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94 Points - Raffaele Vecchione, Winescritic.com (via Google translate):
"Very powerful on the nose it offers notes of black plums, wild blackberries, wild myrtle, cassis and juniper berries. In the background, the nuances of tangerine peel and lemon blossom describe the secondary soul. Full body, solid and centered, it offers a compressed palate of remarkable workmanship thanks to the fine-grained tannins well polymerized but with a progressive push from the center of the palate onwards." (05/2021)
92 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"The organic San Giusto a Rentennano 2019 Chianti Classico is another excellent buy from a tight group of iconic Tuscan wine estates. This vintage, made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo, is pure and tonic in character. There are clearly etched aromas of blueberry, wild cherry, limestone and crushed stone. These are essential aromas to any traditional expression of Chianti Classico, and this wine delivers them with terrific simplicity and balance. Fruit is sourced from across a 30-hectare vineyard with south-facing exposures." - Monica Larner (10/7/2021)
91+ Points - Vinous
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2013 Vin San Giusto 375mL
- 6 bottles left
- Lowest price in CA
- 190 cases made
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96 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"An organic blend of 90% Malvasia and 10% Trebbiano, the San Giusto a Rentennano 2013 Vin San Giusto (packaged in a 375-milliliter bottle) pours slowly and evenly from the bottle. The wine's thickness and syrupy richness recalls brown sugar and molasses. Those sweet flavors are elegantly contrasted against toasted nut and roasted chestnut. The wine's alcohol content is a very approachable 9.5%. This is an almost indestructible sweet wine that will hold decades in your cellar. A precious few 2,270 bottles were released." - Monica Larner (10/7/2021)
95 Points - Vinous:
"The 2013 Vin San Giusto is rich, ample and deeply layered from start to finish. Dark fruit, spice, molasses and leather all build effortlessly. This sumptuous, dense sweet wine delivers the goods and then some. Amazingly, about 40% of the volume is lost because of dehydration over time." - Antonio Galloni (9/2021)
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