History Azienda Agricola Baricci, located in Montalcino, Tuscany, was founded in 1955 by Nello Baricci, a founding member of the Brunello di Montalcino Consorzio. Nello registered one of the first vineyards in the prestigious Montosoli cru in 1967, establishing Baricci as a benchmark for traditional Brunello. The estate remains family-owned, with Nello's grandsons Federico and Francesco Baricci managing operations alongside their father Pietro. Spanning 12 hectares, with 5 dedicated to Brunello, Baricci has upheld its heritage of small-scale, artisanal production, bottling its first Brunello in 1960.
Viticulture Philosophy Baricci cultivates Sangiovese Grosso exclusively on the north-facing Montosoli hill at 280-300 meters elevation, benefiting from galestro-rich soils, marine breezes, and significant diurnal temperature shifts. The estate practices organic viticulture (certified since 2018), employing high-density planting (5,000 vines/ha), manual canopy management, and low yields (40-50 hl/ha) to ensure concentrated, balanced fruit. Old vines, some over 50 years, contribute depth and complexity, with a focus on preserving Montosoli's unique terroir expression.
Winemaking Techniques Baricci adheres to traditional methods with minimal intervention. Grapes are hand-harvested, fermented in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts, and macerated for 20-30 days to extract color and structure. Brunello di Montalcino ages for 36 months in large Slavonian oak botti (20-30 hl), followed by 12 months in bottle, avoiding barriques to preserve Sangiovese's purity and elegance. Rosso di Montalcino sees shorter aging in botti for approachability. Wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered, emphasizing terroir and longevity.
Critics and Journalist Praises Baricci is revered for its classic, age-worthy Brunellos. The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino earned 96 points from James Suckling, praised for its “violet, cherry, and mineral” aromatics with “silky tannins.” Antonio Galloni of Vinous awarded the 2018 95 points, noting its “pure Montosoli finesse” and “vibrant energy.” Wine Spectator lauded the 2016 Riserva for its “truffle, leather, and iron” complexity, scoring 97 points. Decanter and Jancis Robinson highlight Baricci's “traditional soul” and consistent 95+ scores, cementing its status as a Montalcino icon.
