Fattoria Dei Barbi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino

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. Sourced from the estate's 100 acres in the southeast of Montalcino. Vineyards are densely planted to achieve low yields. Manual harvest occurs at the end of September followed by a pre-fermentation cold maceration. This aqueous extraction results in an increased color intensity and stability, softer astringency and tannins adding body and aromatics. Fermentation lasted 16 -17 days and then the wine is aged in small-to-medium size oak barrels for the first 4-6 months, followed by two years in larger Slavonian oak casks. This 2015 was a unanimous success!

James Suckling scored this 96 points saying "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."

The Wine Advocate scored this 94 points saying "The Fattoria dei Barbi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is an 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."

Wine Spectator scored this 92 points saying "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."