Referencing Some of the best scores and notes written on the vintage, the taste profile of this bottle is both traditional and modern. On the conventional side, the 'delicate savoury aromas of rosemary, dried raspberry, floral forest floor(JD, edited)' and 'cherry, blackberry, liquorice, earth and spice flavours from Sangiovese(WS, edited)' echoed the more rustic styles.
On the modern front, the 'floral tones, bright raspberry, toasted almond and a playful touch of medicinal herb that shape a careful and contemplative bouquet' (RP, edited), as well as 'freshness and pure ripe fruit that fills the palate( blood orange, dried and fresh red cherry, and fresh tomato leaf' (WS, edited).
The nose does reflect the palate; the colour is bright and clear(of deep garnet with a tight rim).
Our points for you to consider are:
ABV at 14.5% may still be too high for some;
The palate is too linear and boring;
The fruit may be too bright;
Oaking ageing is from mixing small, medium and large barrels- an exciting result- a shortage of traditionalism.
The wine is balanced, though. There are 'bright aromatic nuances followed by silky tannins and softly finessed fruit flavours, pure and supple, delivering almost seamless harmony at this early stage, with refined, well-integrated tannins(RP, edited). The structure is always there: classic, angular tannin structure and a pleasant light bitterness(JD, revised). Indeed, On Barrbi soils, gravel and clay contribute to the wine with power, while its sandy soils heighten aromatics. 2016 vintage also contributes to the wine balance.
Barbi's "Blue Label" Brunello is the heart of the estate's production and flagship bottling. Owner Giovanni Cinelli Colombini, who 'founded' the Concorzio in 1958, designed this bold label with bright colours!! The family has been producing Brunello from this vineyard since 1892, sourced from the estate's 41 hectares in the southeast area of Montalcino.
Scores are high- RP94+, Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points, JS95, WS95—another ten years to go.
Modern style of extraction in great contrast to 2009- dense, suppressed, clean wood spice, sweet vanilla, toasty and robust hints of cigar box and mint-alcohol for bottled wine is 14%. There are adorable noses of creme de cassis, spring flowers, violets, roses, subtle barbecue smoke and charcoal, intense, pure fruit, dark, extraordinary purity, structure and length. Bodied, at cru level. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot; hence, some complexities and some mileage of 20+ years.
Scores are good. RP gives 96 and talks about its modern style with soul and potential. JS gives 94 and writes, 'pinpoint but rich fruit in blackcurrants, liquorice, fresh herbs, blackberry leaf and cedar. Full body, structured tannins, vibrant acidity and a long finish. It is a wonderful combination of freshness and fruit. Delicious now, but this will hold for many more years.' (edited).
What a pleasant Surprise. Bodied, rich and creamy with aromas of wildflowers, citrus and stone fruits, followed by grapefruit, lemon, apricot and pear flavours. Tones of vanilla and toasty. Textured. Long fruit unsuppressed. 'Burgundian'? Could be. It is modern and well-made. It's a DOCa Rioja, so the standards are somewhat 'assured'.
We believe this bottle will improve to a point. Also, the data specifications are impressive: the wine is fermented in 100 per cent new 225-litre French oak for 20 days and kept sur-lee until the February following harvest from 75 per cent Viura and 25 per cent Chardonnay, sourced from two parcels in Rioja Alavesa, 'Villa Lucia' and 'Villa Cardiel' at an altitude of 700 meters. Alcohol is at 13.5% despite 2022 being quite hot in Rioja.
The owner is Familia Martinez Zabala, a big company. Many good markers work for individual wineries, and Campillo has a good economy of scale and access to an expertise pool.
Scores for vintage 2022 are mainly at 90 by Spanish writers. A Gold Medal in Berlin Wine Trophy. 2019 won JS93; some other older vintages are also in the range of 92.
