At a glance

Producer

Baricci

Region

Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

Grape variety

Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$160-$250 USD (as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Deep cherry, dried rose petals, leather, balsamic, cedar, underlying minerality

Evolution: Primary fruit receding, showing savory, earthy, truffle and tobacco notes

At peak: Highly expressive now, with complexity deepening through 2027

Structure

Acidity

Vibrant and balanced

Tannins

Firm but well-resolved, silky

Alcohol

14.5% ABV (typical for Brunello Riserva)

Aging potential

High; additional aging possible, but peak window beginning

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2024 to 2027

Optimal window

2022 to 2030

Current status

Entering maturity; drinking beautifully but will hold

Current condition

Excellent structure, fully integrated tannins, tertiary notes emerging

Brunello Riservas are built for longevity; 12+ years cellaring yields peak aromatic complexity as structure integrates. This 2012 is at a classic drinking age, where tertiary notes complement remaining fruit.

Food pairing

Roast lamb, bistecca alla fiorentina, wild mushroom risotto, aged Parmigiano

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine is 13 years old, has firm but well-resolved tannins, and benefits from aeration to enhance its aromas and flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Baricci employs sustainable farming: cover cropping, manual harvest, chemical minimization, significant biodiversity buffers, and traditional low-input winemaking. The estate is family-owned and certified as a historic cru, using recycled glass and local materials for bottling. Water use is carefully managed via dry-farming methods with no irrigation; solar energy has been piloted for estate operations.

Baricci, while not formally certified, is a leader among traditional Brunello producers in land stewardship—emphasizing organics-in-practice, landscape preservation, and low-intervention winemaking. The estate's dry farming, energy, and conservation efforts are notable. However, the absence of third-party verification (as of 2024) and the carbon cost of international shipping slightly temper its overall sustainability score.