Baricci Brunello di Montalcino 2021

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

About Baricci

Baricci is a benchmark grower-producer of Brunello di Montalcino, and a name tied closely to Montosoli, widely regarded as the region’s grand cru site. The estate traces its origins back to the 1950s, when Nello Baricci purchased vineyards on the Montosoli hill and, in doing so, became among the earliest growers to recognise the site’s potential for expressive Sangiovese. He was also a founding member of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, in fact, Nello’s is the very first signature on the registration documents to record his estate in the appellation. Nello’s decades-long pursuit in the vineyard and winery was pivotal in shaping the appellation as we know it today. To this day, Baricci remains one of the smallest and most site-focused producers in the Montalcino zone. It’s a light-year away from the trend of big investor-syndicate projects in Montalcino.

Baricci’s Brunello remains one of the finest in its class, vintage after vintage. At the same time, the Nello Riserva eloquently communicates the importance of the category, adding another level of depth without sacrificing the radiance and freshness of Montosoli. It’s also important to consider the Rosso di Montalcino, essentially a cru Rosso, coming entirely from the estate vineyards around the property. Baricci is one of the few contiguous, single-vineyard estates in Montalcino that always produces an honest and transparent interpretation of terroir and vintage.

Eric Guido, Vinous

Today, the estate is run by Nello’s grandchildren, Federico and Francesco Buffi, who continue the family’s approach of balance and precision in both viticulture and cellar work. While production remains small – a few thousand cases annually – and releases are tightly allocated, Baricci’s wines sit firmly in the classic, site-expressive camp. They are consistently recognised for their elegant, layered profiles, where tension and aromatics are as much a part of the story as fruit and tannin. The Brunellos, in particular, show depth and persistence that reward patience in the cellar, offering a clear reference point for Montosoli as a terroir.

In the Vineyard

Baricci’s vinyards consist of a contiguous five hectares tucked into the Colombaio di Montosoli section of the hill – sit at a notable elevation of approximately 280–320 metres. Soils are dominated by well-drained galestro and marl, with good drainage and a high mineral component. Compared to the southern reaches of Montalcino, Montosoli benefits from a cooler mesoclimate, with greater diurnal range and more consistent airflow, contributing to slower ripening and preserved acidity. These conditions tend to give the wines a sense of freshness, clarity and aromatic lift that stands apart from some of the warmer, heavier expressions in the south of Montalcino.

Usually, the harvest is delayed by 15 days in comparison to the warmer Southern sites.

The organically farmed vineards are planted predominantly to Sangiovese Grosso, with vine age averaging 30+ years in the core parcels. Yields are kept low through pruning and three passes (!!!) of green harvesting, typically well below the appellation maximum, prioritising phenolic ripeness without excess sugar accumulation.

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. Ancient marina fossils are often found here. The area also enjoys steep diurnal shifts, making for fresh wines with lifted, fragrant aromas.

Monica Larner

In the Winery

Winemaking at Baricci leans traditional but thoughtful: estate-grown grapes are fermented in stainless steel with controlled temperatures, followed by long macerations aimed at extracting structure and aromatic detail rather than sheer power. Ageing is resolutely traditional in large Slavonian oak barrels that support structure without overwhelming oak character.

Brunello di Montalcino spends approximately 36 months in large Slavonian oak botti, followed by extended bottle ageing prior to release.

Rosso di Montalcino sees 12 months élevage in large oak, offering an earlier-drinking but clearly site-driven expression.

The oak influence is deliberately neutral, allowing Montosoli’s signature – lifted aromatics, saline undertone, fine-grained tannins and linear structure – to remain central. Alcohol levels are typically moderate by contemporary standards, with a clear emphasis on balance and longevity.

Federico Buffi and his family recently completed construction on a winery overhaul. Located a few steps away from the best vineyard sites, the old winery was cramped and needed updating, especially in the fermentation area.

The 2021 Vintage at Baricci

A cold spring and severe frost events in April reduced yields across much of Montalcino, but the growing season that followed was remarkably favourable. Timely rainfall, warm summer days and cool nights allowed the remaining fruit to ripen slowly and evenly, producing wines of exceptional purity, freshness and balance.
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What stands out most is the combination of immediate appeal and long-term potential. Aromatics are lifted and expressive, while tannins are refined and integrated rather than imposing. There is concentration, but it arrives with clarity and vibrancy, giving the wines a sense of effortless balance. Like the great 2016s, the 2021s possess both structure and harmony, leading many growers and critics to place the vintage among the finest of the modern era.

Where in the World is Baricci?

Baricci is located on the famed Montosoli Hill of Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. Baricci is winery #1 just north of Le Chiuse on the map.