2008 Fattoria dei Barbi, Morellino di Scansano DOCG, Tuscan Red, Italy.
This beautiful and textured Sangiovese (Morellino) based red from the Maremma area on the Tuscan Coast is one of the most interesting and layered wines I’ve tried from the Scansano zone, which received it’s DOCG status from the 2007 vintage, proving again the quality of the region. This vintage of Barbi Morellino is pretty with wild flowers, lavender, mint and strawberry with a darker note on the full palate of blackberry and plum while tobacco leaf, cedar and mountain herbs all play roles in the background. Fattoria dei Barbi is a first class Brunello producer and makes a great array of reds, everything I tasted of their currant line up stood out for terroir and quality, but this wine is a marvel especially at the price.
($22 Est.) 92-93 Points, grapelive
Avail at www.sfwtc.com ($18.95)