Baricci

This Riserva takes its name from Nello Baricci, the founder of the estate and founding member #1 of the Brunello producers’ association. It is one of those absurdly good pieces of wine trivia that sounds made up until you realize just how deep this family’s roots in Montalcino actually run. Nello was also among the first growers to settle on Montosoli and really bet on the quality of this hill. His grandsons Federico and Francesco now make this wine in his honour, but crucially, they don’t make it every year. Nello only appears when the vintage and the health of the grapes are good enough for them to go into their best vineyard and start cherry-picking the best fruit from within it. So we have a Montosoli selection within a Montosoli estate, a genuine little cru within the cru situation, and Baricci describes it as the only example of its kind made on the hill. Tiny production, obviously.

96/100, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator: “This is sleek and refined, its black cherry, blackberry, black pepper and tar flavors laced with mineral and spice accents. Tightly wound and like a laser, this remains focused and penetrating on the long, brooding and salty aftertaste. Its serious tannins will need a few years to soften. Best from 2028 through 2047. 250 cases made, 70 cases imported.

96/100, Eric Guido, Vinous: “The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Nello is impossible to ignore, slowly emerging from the glass with an alluring blend of crushed plum and cherry complemented by cedar
shavings, minty herbs and hints of spiced orange. It's mid-weight yet silken in feel, with pure red berry fruits that ride a wave of fresh acidity as inner rose tones and tactile minerals amass toward the close. Seamless from start to finish, it leaves sweet tannins to resonate through the long and youthfully tense finale as a tart blackberry tinge lingers on.