Old School Brunello from the Greatest Vineyard of Montalcino - Simply Stunning (Pssst - Even Today)

Debut: An IWM Artisanal Signature Returns from the Classic Vintage of 2019 and the Prized Grand Cru Vineyard of Brunello di Montalcino - Montosoli. Just 5 Cases.

“…If Brunello is your thing, I recommend that you buy and collect the 2019 village bottlings (or annata wines), selections and single-vineyard expressions. Some are poised for long aging of 20 years or more, but this versatile vintage also offers a great selection to enjoy in an immediate or medium-term drinking window over the next five to 10 years." 

"...Baricci's wines are some of the most distinctive and elegant in the appellation..No doubt, Baricci Colombaio Montosoli (this is the full name of the estate) is blessed with one of the best growing sites in the Brunello appellation. The vineyard is spectacular, with views of the medieval Montalcino skyline in the distance and open plains of sun-lit exposures. This is one of a handful of wineries located in the Montosoli subzone, with its special well-draining mix of marl and galestro soils." - Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Yes, many eyes are now gravitating to the warmer and richer expressions from the 2020 vintage in Montalcino, however, at IWM we are not done with the classic 2019s. As you have heard before, 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is a return to classicism. The vintage delivered balanced wines of freshness, energy, and dark fruit. Vintage comparisons are being made to the perfect combination of 2016 and 2015 – with a little 2010 thrown in. For the IWM, the wines carry the signature texture, but this is 2019 and the wine is more understated and red fruited, amazingly fresh with underlying minerality at the same time. While more classic in style, the wines are typically more balanced, rather than just a rustic brooding Brunello that needs years to soften. Regardless of the press, IWM has been excited about the vintage since tasting the stunning 2019 Rosso di Montalcino a few years ago and today we are excited to present a personal favorite and IWM signature, Baricci.

As for the historic Baricci and their Montosoli based wines, this is one of those traditional winemakers that will always have a special place at IWM. There's something about people who refuse to bow to wine fashion, those protocols and styles that are so often driven by marketing, critics' scores, and passing trends. Winemakers who steadfastly craft their wines as their parents, grandparents, and ancestors did for decades do more than keep up traditions: they guard the secrets of the past for the delight of the future. Founder and late great, Nello Baricci, of Baricci Brunello di Montalcino was one of the people.

IWM loves the wines of Baricci, and our clients do too--but given that Baricci's wines marry winemaking tradition with a distinctive personality they're easy to love. This small, family-owned-and-operated five hectare Montosoli estate makes some of the most 'umano' or 'human' 

expressions of Brunello di Montalcino we've ever had the joy to drink.  Situated in the Montosoli ‘cru’, the climate here allows for a very pure, high-toned, mineral-laden expression of Sangiovese. The galestro and schist soils contribute to this and the influence of the northern Montosoli hill moderates the temperatures when they are high, instilling key amounts of freshness in their Brunello. Just one of the reasons why Baricci excelled in the classic year of 2019. 

FEATURED WINES: Debut from the Grand Cru of Montalcino - Baricci Montosoli

Note: Wines are pre-arrival

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REVIEWS:

2019 BARICCI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO MONTOSOLI

Christopher Deas, Italian Wine Merchants: “Here’s an old IWM signature that simply rocks in the classic vintage of 2019. Yes all the critics below will tell you this is classic, and tightly wound – my answer to that is simple, did you taste the wine or drink the bottle over the course of a meal? As is a wine that begins youthful and austere, but is rocking after a few hours of breathing, I mean this is truly a classic beauty that gets us excited about a more Burgundian side of Montalcino with awesome transparency and freshness. On the nose, it begins with the earthy and umami side of Montalcino, and with recommended airtime, it picks up on the palate with nuances of tart cherries, mulberry, plum, blood orange, smoke, leather, awesome salinity and minerality that screams for Bistecca. For IWM, it is not a full-bodied Brunello from the south, it is high-toned with lift, energy and acidity. It is simply an elegant beauty that can be enjoyed today with a meal and a decant and will age tremendously well. What a great Brunello for the table – and with nice relative value from the prized Grand Cru vineyard of Montalcino – Montosoli!

Kerin O'Keefe: “The captivating Baricci 2019 Brunello is another gorgeous wine from this storied producer. It offers enticing scents of woodland berry, new leather, camphor, pipe tobacco and dog rose while the full-bodied, elegantly structured palate delivers juicy Morello cherry, red plum, licorice and cake spice before a flinty mineral finish. A backbone of tight, refined tannins and fresh acidity provide support and racy tension. While it’s still youthfully austere, it already shows great balance and precision. Drink 2029–2044..." 02/24

Eric Guido, Vinous: “The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is youthfully inward and darkly floral with an herbal tinge and hints of crushed ashen stone that give way to vivid black raspberry and exotic spice. This is juicy and spry, with racy cherry-berry fruit and stimulating acidity that creates a sensation of boundless energy, even as a saturation of primary concentration settles in toward the close. The 2019 finishes with incredible length and youthful tension, leaving balsamic spice, sage and licorice notes lingering over a bed of dusty tannins…” 11/23

Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Baricci's wines are some of the most distinctive and elegant in the appellation. Showing medium-rich concentration, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli delivers granite, slate, black cherry and dark currant in one very impactful dollop. The fruit condition is excellent, with a little under-ripeness that bodes well for the wine's longevity. Montosoli has a bigger presence in the mouth compared to most, thanks to the pronounced mineral nuances, but the wine remains elegant throughout and especially on the mid-palate. Fruit for this wine comes from the estate's oldest vines, aged 25 to 40 years old, in soils rich in marl, quartz, schist and marine fossils." 12/23

This is an email ONLY offer!  Should you have any questions on these exciting wines, or would like to take advantage of this offer (that is only available until 11:59, February 22nd or while supplies last), we are asking that you email orders back to me at chris.deas@italianwinemerchants.com, connect with your Portfolio Manager or mention receipt of this offer if calling the store. All orders are subject to confirmation. IWM is not responsible for typographical errors.

All my best,

Chris