2021 Fattoria dei Barbi “Vigna Fiore” Brunello di Montalcino
Vigna del Fiore is one of the oldest and most revered single vineyards in the appellation (first bottled in 1981).
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Producer
Barbi
I have reviewed four wines from Barbi, from the 2020 to 2021 vintages, all from Brunello di Montalcino. All are Sangiovese. Scores range from 93 to 95, averaging 94; the highest is the 2020 Fattoria dei Barbi “Vigna del Fiore” Brunello di Montalcino (95 points). Barbi also features in one journal article on this site.
The Colombini family, owners of Fattoria dei Barbi, have held land in Montalcino since 1352. As one of the original producers of Brunello, the estate has played a pivotal role in the appellation’s history and was among the first to export Brunello to the world. Barbi is a guardian of tradition, making wines that are savory, deeply rooted in the earth and built to age gracefully.
The classic Brunello di Montalcino is the benchmark annata and makes no apologies for being old-school: it bypasses the sweet, fleshy mid-palate of the modernists for crunchy red fruit, a firm spine of acidity, traditional grippy tannins and a saline finish. In warm years like 2020 it is generous and approachable young; in a classic year like 2021 it is all tension, and consistently one of the best values in the region.
Vigna del Fiore is a piece of Brunello history. First bottled in 1981, it was one of the very first single-vineyard Brunellos, from a small 5.7-hectare plot of old vines on sandy soils near Casanova di Neri’s Cerretalto. If the classic bottling is the estate’s muscle, Vigna del Fiore is its nervous system: true to its name, the “vineyard of flowers,” it soars with rose petal, lavender, wild mint and iron, weightless yet concentrated.
2021 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino
When we talk about the history and soul of Montalcino, Fattoria dei Barbi is foundational. In a classic, perfectly balanced
2021 Brunello di Montalcino – Vintage Report
If 2019 was operatic and 2020 was sunny, 2021 is the year of transparency. This is a vintage that vibrates with energy, defined by significant diurnal shifts that locked in soaring aromatics and “al dente” fruit profiles. Moving away from sheer muscle, the 2021 Brunellos are architectural and nervy, showcasing a savory, saline grip that speaks clearly of the Montalcino soil. For the collector who values elegance and tension over weight, this is a sophisticated, “intellectual” vintage that promises a fascinating evolution in the cellar.
2020 Fattoria dei Barbi “Vigna del Fiore” Brunello di Montalcino
The “Vigna del Fiore” is a piece of Brunello history. First produced in 1981, it was one of the very
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2020 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino
This is the perfect introduction to the history of Montalcino. In a warm and generous vintage like 2020, Barbi’s traditional