Fattoria dei Barbi Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino 2018 750ml

Offering a clean and bright fruit profile, the Fattoria dei Barbi 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows plum, dark cherry and blackberry. The fruit presented in this vintage is fresh, velvety, nicely contoured and still tastes quite primary in nature. This bodes well for the wine’s future bottle evolution. The tannins are slightly chalky but supported by rich texture. This is from a widely distributed production of 160,000 bottles that will hit the market in January 2024. Great job here. (Monica Larner)

Blueberry and orange peel with some cedar and nutmeg in the aromas and flavors. Medium to full body with firm and polished tannins and a flavorful finish. Polished and refined, yet structured. Solid wine. Better after three or four years. (James Suckling)

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. (James Suckling)

Though vibrant and packed with intense raspberry, cherry, hibiscus and earth flavors, this red is also solidly built, with dense tannins leaving a strong grip on the long, crisp finish. This has plenty to like; just be patient. Best from 2026 through 2045. 13,083 cases made, 1,050 cases imported. (Bruce Sanderson)

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 is a 157,000-bottle release.

Fresh and lively, this light-bodied red offers flavors of cherry, strawberry, earth and herbs, with crisp tannins emerging on the finish. This is approachable now but should improve with a few more years of age. Drink now through 2038. 13,046 cases made, 1,050 cases imported. (Bruce Sanderson)