We are pleased to offer an insider’s pick from the great 2016 Brunello vintage.
Baricci’s holdings are all within Montosoli, undoubtedly the most famous cru within Montalcino. This hill at the northern limit of Montalcino is famed for elegant wines of striking minerality and aromatic purity, often with a slight salinity. Nello Baricci founded the estate in 1955 after years of working on other estates, Eric Guido says that “Baricci purchased what you might consider to be the tenderloin parcel of the highly-regarded Montosoli hill”. Monica Larner says that they are “blessed with one of the best growing sites in the Brunello appellation”
This is still a family owned estate practising traditional winemaking and the 2016 is a real success story that encapsulates the potential of this great vintage . This is a wine for lovers of the purer side of Sangiovese and one for patient cellaring. This is a wine to load up on… before the market catches on.
2016 Brunello di Montalcino, Baricci
Dark and animal in nature, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino comes to life like a savage beast waking from a deep sleep, sleek yet still shaking off its slumber. Purple-tinged florals and herbal tones meet depths of dark mineral-tinged fruits and hints of animal musk. This is silky-smooth upon entry, yet it quickly gains in tension and poise, as grippy tannins come to the fore, slowly drying the tart wild berry fruits, while becoming spicy and more grippy with every sip. The cheeks pucker with residual tannic tension as this finishes painfully young yet long, with hints of liquorice. The extra time in bottle has only propelled the 2016 even further than expected.
96 Eric Guido, Vinous
Aromas of underbrush, rose, wild berry and new leather are front and centre. Hailing from Montosoli, one of Montalcino's most revered vineyard sites, the full-bodied palate combines power and finesse, delivering ripe cherry, oak-driven spice and coffee bean alongside firm, close-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Give it time to fully develop. Drink 2026–2046
95 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
30 cases (6x75cl) at £252 in bond
2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Nello
Chopped mint, forest floor, tilled earth and wild berry are just some of the aromas you'll find on this stunning, structured red. Full bodied yet elegant, the palate delivers crushed raspberry, ripe Marasca cherry, clove and liquorice framed in tightly-knit, noble tannins. Fresh acidity lends balance. It's already remarkable but will be even better with more bottle age once the tannins unwind a bit. Drink 2022–2042.
98 Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
6 cases (6x75cl) at £600 in bond
2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Nello
The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Nello from Baricci boasts a strikingly intense display of pure Sangiovese fruit. It’s dusty in character, wafting up masses of crushed black cherry and strawberry, with sweet herbs, hints of spiced orange and sandalwood. It’s soft and feminine, while leaning on purity and a salty mineral lift, which creates a tactile feel toward the close. Raspberry, cranberry, savoury spice and inner florals hold your attention firm, while youthful tannins slowly sink in, drying out the expression today, yet promising many good things to come. Wow! This only got better and better over the twenty-four hours that I followed the wine.
96 Eric Guido, Vinous
12 cases (6x75cl) at £576 in bond