Auction announcements
1st of August 2014
Lot 81: the vintage of this wine is 2002.

18 bottles of Brunello di Montalcino
Produced by Fattoria dei Barbi
2001 vintage
Montalcino, Tuscany/Italy
Original filling quantity: into neck
Antonio Galloni (2006): 90/100
James Suckling (2006): 90/100

Brunello has remained one of the great Italian red wines ever since its inception a century ago. Its Tuscan home gives it its own unique expression. It is made almost exclusively from the archaic Sangiovese vine. A high-quality clone called Sangiovese Grosso, or Brunello, has been cultivated since the end of the 19th century. This vine possesses a valuable property: it achieves a certain amount of acidity thanks to the warm vineyards of the Tuscan town of Montalcino, whilst still maintaining aromatic fullness. The vineyards of Montalcino are situated in an especially warm microclimate in Tuscany. Here, one hundred kilometers south of Florence, it is hotter than in the Chianti region, yet vines still receive cool air overnight. The result is a substantial wine that is rich in essence but still possesses a fine freshness. The best of these wines are concentrated and opulent despite their muscular elegance and finesse. This dry wine can taste intense and sweet in essence without appearing heavy. In order to be sold as Brunello, the wine has to have been matured in oak barrels for at least two years before spending at least four months ageing within the bottle. It may only hit the market after January 1 of the fifth year following the harvest. Riserva-quality wines spend an extra year in the bottle before they may be sold. These minimum requirements are certainly no guarantee of quality, however they establish the wine’s identity: maturing potential and longevity.

2001 was a very good vintage in Tuscany, especially for Chianti and Bordeaux-style wines. The wines from this vintage are very powerful, full-bodied and long-lived.

The fill levels are excellent (into neck). Some labels are slightly damaged and soiled. The capsules are in perfect condition.

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.