Ratings & Tasting Notes:
CellarTracker Community Score: 93.5 (2 reviews)
94 points — CellarTracker member, February 2026
A lucky auction find, praised for its nose, restrained acidity and satisfying body — “one of the best bottles of brunello I’ve had.”
93 points — CellarTracker member, November 2025
Sound cork, opened slowly across an hour. Garnet with an orange rim and “still full of life”, showing maraschino cherry, fried herbs, sweet underbrush and mushroom, with a spice note holding the palate together. Best enjoyed soon, while the last of the fruit remains.
Cult Wines International Notes:
The Colombini family has held land in Montalcino since 1352 and has been making Brunello at Fattoria dei Barbi since 1892, among the first to carry it abroad to Europe, America and Asia. Barbi was one of just 25 producers in the zone when Brunello earned DOC status in 1967, and under Stefano Cinelli Colombini, who took over in 1981, holdings grew from 54 to 212 acres. Vigna del Fiore is the estate’s finest site: a narrow, shale-soiled valley at its southern edge, sheltered from cold winds and the hot Sirocco, worked as vineyard since the 16th century. The Riserva is bottled only in vintages the family judges capable of extraordinary aging.
1990 is a benchmark vintage in Montalcino’s modern history, a warm and generous growing season that delivered fully ripe Sangiovese with the structure to age for decades. Barbi selected it for Riserva treatment, drawing on Fiore fruit and extended cask aging. Thirty-five years on, this is mature Brunello in the classic mold: dried cherry and orange peel where primary fruit once sat, layered with leather, tobacco, sweet spice, forest floor and the saline-mineral thread that marks the Barbi style. Tannins are long since resolved, and Sangiovese’s acid spine keeps the finish lifted rather than tired. A wine at its plateau, meant for the table.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.
Outstanding condition.
