Few Sangioveses maintain their class at the 10 to 12-year mark, but the 2014 Candialle 'Pli' Gran Selezione passes this litmus test with breathtaking poise! 

This US exclusive is a rare library release from Jarkko and Josephin Peränen, the Finnish-German duo who have become leading figures in Panzano’s famed Conca d’Oro. Tending organic vines just 200 meters from Fontodi’s “Vigna del Sorbo”, the Peränens use high-density albarello (bush vines) to achieve a wine of piercing minerality and incredible staying power. We were floored by its purity and "lively nerve"—a testament to the galestro limestone soils shared by neighbors like Castello di Rampolla, La Massa, and of course, Fontodi.

The pedigree here is undeniable, but the value and provenance are the real story. While Fontodi’s “Flaccianello” from the 2014 vintage is now relegated to the secondary market—often found only through specialty resellers or at auction—this Candialle comes direct from the winery’s own cellars (Provenance: AA++). Remarkably, our special 4-pack price for the "Pli" sits nearly at the pre-bid starting price of a single bottle of its famous neighbor at auction. This is a 'unicorn' opportunity to secure perfectly cellared Sangiovese without the auction markup. We’ve swept the importer's final West Coast stash, but stock is strictly limited.

• 2014 Fontodi “Flaccianello” - 100% Sangiovese - U.S. Retail Range: $125 to $179

• 2014 Candialle “Pli” Gran Selezione - $80 on 4+ bottles, SommSelect Exclusive!

Critically acclaimed for its "notable depth and textural intensity," the 2014 Pli opens with a beguiling perfume of saturated black cherry, rose petals, and a delicate whiff of smoke. As Antonio Galloni of Vinous has noted, this is a "beautiful and expressive wine" that highlights the strength of the vintage when handled with the Peränens' meticulous care.

By utilizing neutral vessels and extended bottle aging, the winery has ensured a seamless integration of fruit and earth; dark cherry, leather, and menthol meld with a sophisticated "nerve" and vibrant acids. At the 12-year mark, the structural backbone has softened into a polished experience of fine-grained tannins and haunting aromatics. It is a profound expression of Panzano terroir that shows the complexity only found with a decade of patience—a definitive Sangiovese for those seeking both power and breathtaking poise.

Molte Grazie!