Fattoria dei Barbi - Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2014
Overview
Barbi’s “Blue Label” Brunello is the heart of the estate’s production and its flagship bottling. The family has been producing Brunello from this vineyard since 1892. The current label was designed by Vittorio Zani, an artist from Siena, where it was first used for the Brunello 1957 vintage.
Terroir: Sourced from the estate’s 41 hectares (100 acres) in the southeast area of Montalcino. Vineyards are planted at 5,200 plants per hectare with yields of 1.3kg per vine. Two types of soils prevail; gravel and clay soils produce wines with power, while more sandy soils heighten aromatics.
Vinification: Manual harvest occurs at the end of September followed by a pre-fermentation cold maceration (“cold-soak”), which consists of cooling the grapes at a temperature of 3°-5°C (37 – 41°F) in an anaerobic environment (under a CO2¶blanket) to protect the must from oxidation. This non-alcoholic, aqueous extraction results in an increased color intensity and stability, softer astringency and tannins and more body and aromatics. After 48 hours, the temperature is raised to 27°- 28°C and alcoholic fermentation begins, lasting 16 -17 days. After racking and malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in small-to-medium size oak barrels (225L – 15 hl) for the first months, followed by two years in larger 30HL Slavonian oak casks. The wine rests in bottle for
four months before release.
Additional Details
Brilliant ruby red with a touch of garnet. Intense aromas of ripe cherry rounded by scents of citrus and spices, wild herbs, earthy hues. On the palate, the wine is soft and balanced with delicate tannins and vibrant acidity, long persistency.This wine is a perfect match for roasted or grilled red meats, game, venison, stewed wild boar. Excellent with mature cheeses.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
- Winemaker: Stefano Cinelli Colombini
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Soil: Stone, clay, sand
- Vineyard Acreage: textinput
- Avg Vine Age: textinput
- Yield: textinput
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- Ttl Acidity: 5.4 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/l
- Avg Production: 96,000 bottles
- Sizes Available: 750ml
- Pack Size: 6/750ml
- UPC Code: 0 89744-76095 1
- Varietals: 100% Sangiovese Grosso
Recent News
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 91
Author: Kerin O'Keefe
Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2019
"Forest floor, camphor, new leather and pressed rose aromas emerge on this racy red. The focused, linear palate offers red cherry, licorice, wild herb and black tea framed in taut refined tannins and firm acidity. Give this a few more years to unwind and fully develop. Drink 2021–2034."
Vinous Rating: 91
Author: Ian D'Agata
Date: Friday, March 1, 2019
"Bright red. Sour red cherry, violet and licorice on the subtle, complex nose. Suave and fine-grained, with pure red berry flavors communicating a restrained sweetness and an underlying mineral bent. Finishes perfumed and long, with smooth, tannins and lovely lift and length. A classy Brunello of sneaky concentration and outstanding balance. Well done in such a difficult year."
The Wine Advocate
Author: Monica Larner
Date: Thursday, January 31, 2019
"Fattoria dei Barbi's 2014 Brunello di Montalcino marks an impressive effort in what was undoubtedly a difficult vintage. The experienced winemaking team at this historic estate has evidently made specific choices to uphold the quality of their Brunelllo despite the challenges of this wet and cold growing season. For example, careful green harvesting proved essential for even ripening of the clusters. The fruit here does appear evenly mature and there is enough succulent flavor intensity (with dark fruit, tobacco and cured spice) and texture to count on a healthy aging trajectory as we move forward in time. However, this vintage is fundamentally near and medium term, so I would recommend a 10- or 15-year drinking window. It also tastes great straight out of the gate. Some 120,000 bottles were made."