Introduction: Podere Barbi is a family estate founded in 1932 by Enzo Barbi in Baschi, Umbria — near the borders of both Tuscany and Lazio — and is now managed by Marina Barbi, continuing the family's commitment to indigenous central Italian varieties and honest, value-driven winemaking. Il Ruspo, which takes its name from the Latin ruspare — meaning "to scratch or scrounge," as a wild pig does when rooting for truffles — is the estate's character red, a 100% Sangiovese built with genuine structure and ambition. The label's rustic sketch of a wild boar captures the wine's spirit perfectly.

Terroir: The Barbi vineyards sit at approximately 1,000 feet above sea level on hillside slopes near Baschi, on clay and limestone soils enriched with fossilized marine sediment. Southeast and southwest-facing exposures maximize ripeness across the growing season, while good natural airflow through the site reduces disease pressure and supports even, healthy vine development. Umbria's continental climate — warm days tempered by cool nights at elevation — gives Sangiovese here a darker, earthier character than its Tuscan counterpart, with ripe tannins and the mineral tension the soils provide.

Appearance: Deep ruby red with good density and a clean, vivid core — the color signals the 12-day skin maceration and the variety's naturally rich pigmentation.

Nose: Intense and complex, with underbrush, dried herbs, wild bramble, and tobacco leaf setting a distinctly rustic, earthy tone over a core of burnt cherry and baking spice. A hint of cinnamon and dried fruit rounds out the bouquet and speaks to the six months in American oak — present but not intrusive.

Palate: Spicy, rich, and full-bodied with dark cherry, sage, and dried fruit anchoring a palate that has both grip and depth. The 12-day maceration builds structure and tannic presence without heaviness, while natural acidity keeps the wine fresh and lively through the mid-palate. The American oak aging adds a subtle vanilla warmth that complements rather than dominates the variety's earthy character.

Finish: Long and savory, with lingering notes of earth, dried herbs, and baking spice fading into a clean, mineral close. The tannins are firm and persistent — this is a wine that rewards food and has the structure for short to medium cellaring.

Food Pairings: 🥩 Meat: Roasted wild boar with rosemary and garlic, braised lamb shanks, or a classic Umbrian spit-roast pork (porchetta) 🥦 Vegetarian: Pappardelle with porcini mushroom ragù, lentil soup with truffle oil, or roasted root vegetables with aged balsamic 🧀 Charcuterie Board: Aged Pecorino Romano, sharp Caciocavallo, dried figs, black olives, and spicy soppressata

Overall Impression: The Il Ruspo is an honest, characterful Umbrian Sangiovese that punches well above its price point — earthy, spicy, and built with enough structure to age comfortably for 3 to 5 years. It is the kind of wine that drinks best at the table with something bold enough to meet it, and rewards patience in the bottle. Serve at 61–64°F; drink now through 2028.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 13.5%
Farming Practices: Conventional viticulture; estate-grown fruit on hillside vineyards at approximately 1,000 feet elevation; southeast and southwest-facing exposures
Producer Name: Podere Barbi
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: Italy
Region: Umbria IGT — Baschi, Province of Terni
Grape Varietals: Sangiovese 100%
Vintage: 2024 
Wine Style: Dry Red — Full-bodied and structured, with a dark, earthy Umbrian Sangiovese profile shaped by clay-limestone hillside terroir and moderate oak aging. Rustic in character and built for the table, with enough tannin and acidity for short to medium-term cellaring.
Winemaking Techniques: Fermentation in stainless steel vats; skin maceration approximately 12 days; refined in underground cellars — first in stainless steel, then 6 months in American oak barrels, then further bottle aging before release
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Cork