Fattoria dei Barbi Rosso di Montalcino 2023

Sangiovese From the Edge of Brunello Country

Fattoria dei Barbi has farmed the sunlit slopes of Montalcino since the 19th century, and its Rosso di Montalcino bottling is where that history becomes easy to enjoy on a weeknight. Grown in the same DOC zone as the estate's celebrated Brunello di Montalcino, this 2023 vintage uses 100% Sangiovese grapes but follows the shorter aging rules set for Rosso di Montalcino rather than the longer, stricter requirements of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. The result is a wine with real Montalcino character at a fraction of the wait and the price, ready to drink now while still carrying the structure to improve over the next two or three years.

Tasting Experience

Pour a glass and you will find aromas of violet, ripe red cherry and wild strawberry layered over a faint dried herb note typical of Sangiovese grown on Montalcino's galestro soils. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with a supple texture, bright acidity and ripe, well managed tannins that give it a long, savory finish.

Elegant Presentation

The bottle carries Fattoria dei Barbi's understated, estate style label, a nod to the winery's long standing reputation among Tuscany's most respected Sangiovese producers. It looks equally at home on a dinner table or wrapped as a gift for someone who appreciates classic Italian winemaking without unnecessary flash.

Serving Tips

Serve at 16 to 18°C in a Bordeaux style glass to let the fruit and herbal notes open up. A short decant of 20 to 30 minutes rounds out the tannins if you plan to enjoy it right away, though the wine drinks beautifully straight from the bottle too.

A Gift With Tuscan Credentials

Rosso di Montalcino makes a thoughtful gift for anyone building an interest in Italian wine: it carries the same Sangiovese pedigree and Montalcino address as Brunello without asking the recipient to wait years before opening it. Pair it with a card for a dinner party host, a new wine lover, or a colleague who appreciates a bottle with a genuine story behind it.

Perfect Pairings

• Margherita Pizza: The wine's bright acidity cuts through the tomato and melted cheese without overwhelming either.
• Grilled Italian Sausage: Smoky, savory sausage echoes the wine's herbal undertones and stands up to its tannin.
• Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragù: A classic Tuscan match, the ragù's richness meets the wine's cherry fruit and firm structure.
• Aged Pecorino Toscano: The cheese's nutty saltiness draws out the wine's red fruit and softens its tannin on the finish.