Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018 Barbi

Packaged with its dark blue label, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino displays a very specific character that I always recognize in this wine. The house style is a callout to local winemaking tradition in which there is a slightly wild side to the cherry fruit and forest floor aromas. The oak spice is smoothly integrated into the medium-weight texture, and there is earthy spice and root at the back. The wine closes with freshness, bitter plum and rusty metal.

This has an intense nose of incense, toasted walnuts, mocha, maraschino cherries and some menthol. Full-bodied yet remains agile with firm, gently chewy tannins and bright acidity. Try in 2025.

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino lifts from the glass with an earth-inspired blend of crushed dried roses, cedar box and balsamic-tinged cherry. This is soft and round on the palate, with liquid violet florals and lavender giving way to ripe wild berries. The 2018 leaves a touch of fine tannins while finishing with admirable length, as a potent staining of black raspberry slowly fades. There's excellent concentration here and a balanced structure that should promote medium-term cellaring.