2016 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino

Winemaker Notes

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.

95pts Wine Spectator 

This red is pure and supple, evoking cherry, blackberry, licorice, earth and spice flavors, delivering almost seamless harmony at this early stage, with refined tannins that are very well-integrated. Shows fine length, courtesy of the vibrant acidity. Best from 2023 through 2043.

95pts Jeb Dunnuck 

The 2016 Brunello has delicate savory aromas of rosemary, dried raspberry, and floral forest floor. There is freshness and pure ripe fruit that fills the palate, with blood orange, dried red cherry, and fresh tomato leaf as well as classic, angular tannin structure and a pleasant light bitterness. This wonderfully expressed traditional wine will be prime for enjoyment over the next 15 years. 2021-2036.

95pts James Suckling 

Aromas of plums, cherries, flowers and sandalwood follow through to a full body with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Lots of structure and intensity. Give it at least three or four years to come around. Try after 2025.

94pts Wine Advocate 

The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is a delicate and graceful wine. It shows the precision, linearity and power of the vintage for sure, but it also delivers floral tones, bright raspberry, toasted almond and a playful touch of medicinal herb that shape a careful and contemplative bouquet. Those bright aromatic nuances are followed by silky tannins and softly finessed fruit flavors. With an ample 160,000 bottles made, this is a solid go-to Brunello, especially if you are looking for a bottle with a relatively accessible drinking window.