Fattoria dei Barbi Rosso di Montalcino 2023

Profile & Story

Fattoria dei Barbi is a family wine estate in Montalcino run by Stefano Cinelli Colombini, who continues the direction set by his grandfather Giovanni; born in Florence in 1956 to a Sienese family, Stefano took over management of the property in 1981 and has since expanded its wine exports to more than thirty-five countries while growing production from roughly 300,000 to 700,000 bottles a year, alongside the estate's grain, olive, dairy and other agricultural activities. The Rosso di Montalcino DOC is made from 100% Sangiovese grown in the estate's own vineyards in the Montalcino district, planted between 1975 and 2017 at 400-450 meters on marl and shale soils. In 2023, a humid winter, rainy spring and a June hailstorm were followed by heat waves and mildew pressure in July, delaying ripening; the resulting fruit, picked from late October, showed high acidity and abundant sugar despite a smaller crop. The wine underwent cold pre-fermentative maceration at 16°C, twelve to thirteen days of fermentation at 29-30°C, and about six months of aging in small and medium oak barrels and stainless steel.

Pairing Recommendation

It pairs well with roasted or grilled meats, cheeses, and casseroles.