2012 Fattoria Dei Barbi Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva
2012 Fattoria Dei Barbi Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva Intense, vivid ruby–red color with aromas of red and black berries, maraschino cherry and eucalyptus. The aromas repeat on the palate with added hints of liquorice and tobacco. Tannins are firm and tightly woven and the juicy fruit is refreshed by a lively acidity that leads to a long, persistent finish.
94 Robert Parker: Fattoria dei Barbi’s 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva shows thick lines and excellent composure. The warm 2011 vintage tends to offer more jammy fruit aromas and you get a fleeting sense of that here. There is extra suppleness and softness that comes from a hot summer growing season. The wine’s basic building blocks may indeed be bigger and more robust, but they still fit together like precision patchwork. Dark fruit and prune segues to tobacco and barbecue smoke. The finish shows succulent sweetness and greater textural richness. Only 10,000 bottles are produced.
Fattoria
Fattoria dei Barbi is among a prestigious group of estates that has played an integral part in writing the history of Italian wine. In fact, the estate is one of only five in Montalcino that have continuously operated for over 100 years. The Colombini family, one of region’s most influential families, founded the estate in 1790. The family has owned land in Montalcino since 1352, first building the “Poggio alle Mura” estate (now Castello Banfi), then “Argiano”, and finally they began assembling “Fattoria dei Barbi” in 1790, where they have produced wine ever since. The estate is currently owned and managed by the 20th generation heir, Stefano Cinelli Colombini, who carries on constantly seeking innovation through research and the application of new techniques.