Barbi DOCG Brunello di Montalcino - Fattoria dei Barbi - 2018

75 cl

James Suckling: 93 points

Robert Parker: 92 points

Alcohol content: 14.5% vol.

Grape varieties: 100% Sangiovese

Vinification:

Before fermentation, the grapes undergo cold maceration, which consists of cooling the grapes at a temperature of 16° C in an environment protected by CO². This process increases the extraction of polyphenols and flavours. This was followed by regular alcoholic fermentation, which lasted 16/17 days at a controlled temperature of 27°-28°C. After racking and malolactic fermentation, the wine matured for the first few months in small to medium-sized oak barrels (2.25 - 15 hl). Later it completes the maturation in larger oak barrels for a total period of two years and is then bottled at least 4 months before release.

Tasting note:

The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino from Fattoria dei Barbi is very rich and velvety in appearance and flavour. The wine has extra fruit weight related to the warm and dry conditions of the vintage, and this richer core is a sounding board for ripe and plummy fruit flavours. I can also smell the oak barrels, and while they don't lend any obvious spice or toast, they add soft, earthy contours to this full-bodied Brunello.

Fattoria dei Barbi:

Fattoria dei Barbi is one of the largest companies in the Montalcino area and has been producing Brunello here for many years without interruption. It was in 1892 that the Fattoria was one of the first in the area to rely on the brilliant intuition of Biondi-Santi and produce Sangiovese in its purest form in this region. Other innovations in which the Fattoria dei Barbi was a pioneer?

It was the first company in Montalcino to export to France (1817), to sell Brunello by correspondence (1832), to start local wine tourism (1960s), to include the Supertuscan, the Brusco dei Barbi (1969), in its product range and to introduce biological thinning.

Today, the spotlight at Cinelli Colombini is on Brunello, one of the best in terms of value for money. Of a beautiful, transparent garnet red colour, typical and characteristic, the nose reveals notes of blackberry and sour cherry on a background of aromatic herbs, wet earth and undergrowth.

Afterwards, already developed aromas of spices, cinnamon and liquorice can also be recognised. In the mouth it is opulent, powerful, warm, pleasantly captivating, with incredibly silky and integrated tannins that are not at all astringent. A Brunello with a versatile but universal flavour that leaves an enchanting balsamic finish.