Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015
Fattoria dei Barbi
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 Information
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
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- Ttl Acidity: 5.4 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/l
- Avg Production: 96,000 bottles
- Sizes Available: 750ml, 1.5L, 3L
- Pack Size: 6/750ml, 12/750ml, 1/1.5L, 1/3L
- Varietals: 100% Sangiovese Grosso
Recent Press
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Score: 91 Points
Vinous Author: Eric Guido
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows forest berries with cooling minty herbs and hints of cedar, as pretty florals and earth tones develop in the glass. On the palate, soft textures give way to juicy acids with a dark mineral twang, as sweet and sour cherry fills the senses while inner florals make for a pleasing finale. The finish is medium in length, with a salty mineral coating that begs you to take another sip, as dried red fruits fade. This is a remarkably lifted and pretty expression of Barbi, balancing the warmth of the year nicely with its zesty appeal." -
Score: 92 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Bruce Sanderson
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020"Plum, cherry, iron, earth and salty notes mark this vibrant red. Lean and sinewy, with firm, dusty tannins plying the finish. This comes together well overall, delivering a solid core of ripe fruit. Best from 2023 through 2040. 200 cases imported." -
Score: 91 Points
Wine Enthusiast Author: Kerin O'Keefe
Date: Friday, March 27, 2020"Menthol, blue-flower and tilled soil aromas emerge from the glass along with a whiff of dried tobacco leaf. The full-bodied palate offers dried cherry, vanilla and clove before finishing on a note of powdered sage. Close-grained tannins grip the close. Drink 2023–2030." -
Score: 94 Points
The Wine Advocate Author: Monica Larner
Date: Friday, January 31, 2020"The Fattoria dei Barbi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is a extremely polished and precise expression that hits all the right buttons for those seeking a classic expression of Sangiovese. In appearance, the wine shows a bright ruby hue with brilliant garnet reflections. The bouquet is tempered and shy at first, but it opens quickly to reveal those characteristic aromas of wild berry, candied cherry, licorice and pressed blue flowers that are so beautifully tied to this mighty Tuscan grape. Some 149,000 bottles were released in January 2020." -
Score: 96 Points
JamesSuckling.com Author: James Suckling
Date: Friday, October 4, 2019"Ripe plum and cherry aromas with dried flowers and spices. Some lavender and cedar, too. Full bodied, tight and chewy. Needs time to soften and come together. Better after 2022."
