Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino 2015

96 pts James Suckling

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.

94 pts Wine Advocate

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.

92 pts Wine Spectator

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.

91 pts Vinous

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.