Fattoria dei Barbi - Brunello di Montalcino 2015
Pairing Suggestions
Fattoria dei Barbi - Brunello di Montalcino 2015 (91+ TSW – with potential)
Fattoria dei Barbi is located in Montalcino, the heart of the Brunello region. It is one of the most traditional Tuscan companies and has a history dating back to the year 1352. Today it is managed by Stefano Cinelli Colombini. And he does an excellent job of his job. Of the 306 hectares of the winery, 66 hectares belong to the Brunello di Montalcino wine-growing region.
The mix of innovation and tradition that has literally been maintained for 200 years is particularly fascinating. Fattoria dei Barbi was a pioneer in many areas. They were the first winery to export to France in 1817, and wine was already sold by mail order in 1832. Exports to the US started in 1962, England followed in 1969 and Japan in 1975. Today, approximately 200,000 bottles of Brunello are produced per year.
About this wine:
Soil: marl, alberese limestone. Altitude: 300-500 mt slm. Average Age: 15 – 20 years.
Before the fermentation the grapes were subjected to a cold pre-fermentative maceration. The regular alcoholic fermentation followed and lasted 16/17 days at a controlled temperature of 27°-28°C. After the racking and the malolactic fermentation the wine aged in small-medium size oak barrels (2,25 – 15 hl) for the first months. Later it completed the aging in larger oak barrels, for a total period of two years and then is bottled at least 4 months before the release.
My tasting notes:
First I decanted the wine in the Zalto decanter.
In the glass a bright (light transparent) ruby red color with garnet reflections.
On the medium+ nose aromas of cherries, blueberrries and plums with hints of herbs, spices, cedar and lavender.
On the palate dry, medium+ bodied with medium+ acidity and medium+ tannins (which need some time to soften) An impressive density, great potential and a fascinating, extremely classic finish.