San Giusto a Rentennano’s Percarlo 2016 is the estate’s flagship Sangiovese, bottled as Toscana IGT despite coming from Gaiole in Chianti, on the southern edge of the Chianti Classico zone. The property itself has deep roots—originally a medieval monastery and later a fortress—and has been owned by the Martini di Cigala family since 1914. Percarlo is positioned as a high-selection wine: the producer reports extremely low yields (about 0.8 kg per vine), hand harvesting with cluster-by-cluster selection, and a long, extractive approach in the cellar, including roughly 30–35 days of fermentation and maceration, followed by about 20–22 months in French oak and extended bottle aging before release. Alcohol is listed at about 15% ABV.

Critical response to the 2016 is outstanding, led by an excellent 98 (noted as “98+” in the review) from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Monica Larner calls it “a gorgeous expression,” noting how it “open[s] slowly to reveal black fruit, blue flowers, lilac, honey, potting soil and a touch of fragrant porcino mushroom.” She emphasizes texture and balance—“a soft and contoured mouthfeel followed by elegant tannins, balanced acidity and a long finish that wraps over the palate with silky intensity”—and recommends additional cellaring to gain “extra complexity and volume.” Her conclusion is emphatic: “Percarlo transcends Sangiovese.”

Wine Spectator also rates it strongly at 94 points, describing “a light kiss of oak” that brings “a resinous element and extra tannins,” alongside “black cherry, blackberry, tar and wild herb flavors.” The magazine points to a “pure fruit core, vibrant structure and fine length,” with “a violet note [that] supplies grace,” while advising patience: it “needs time to integrate the tannins.” Wine Spectator’s suggested window—Best from 2022 through 2042—captures the wine’s clear aging intent and long-term potential.