So many spices line the nose here including cinnamon, cardamom, aniseed and walnuts. But there's no shortage of red plums and dried cherries either. Balanced and suave, this is a sophisticated Brunello with a sleek frame of tannins and subtle yet persistent acidity.
The Castello Banfi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is fragrant and bright. Aromas of wild cherry, blackberry and plum emerge from the glass with spice, tar and licorice following close in tow. The unified front created by those aromas adds to the overall intensity and purity of the wine. The wine is silky and glossy with a mid-weight style that wraps closely over the palate. This Brunello is fermented in both steel and oak. About 80% of the total volume ages in 60- or 90-hectoliter botte made with French oak, and 20% is aged in new barrique. The wine was bottled in April 2019 and hit the market in January 2020. Some 580,000 bottles were made. You can drink this accessible wine straight out of the gate or wait to age it longer.
Technical Details
BlendSangiovese
CountryItaly
RegionTuscany
AppellationMontalcino
Aging/Cooperage80% of total volume ages in 60-90 hectoliter french oak botte, 20% new barrique
Alcohol14.5%
Production6500 Cases Imported cases
Shop All Wines Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2015
Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2015
Sangiovese Blends | Italy
JS94, WA93
$80.00
$39.95
SOLD OUT
50% off retail!
Too late, we are SOLD OUT!
Did you know? Banfi is actually owned by two Italian-American brothers, the Marianis. They took control of Banfi (founded in 1919) in 1964. Banfi was founded by John Mariani Sr., an American of Italian descent who established the company in New York just a year before Prohibition. For the first 13 years, he kept it alive by importing Italian specialties and spices, as well as manufacturing medicinal bitters, an alcohol product permitted under the law. When Prohibition was repealed, Mariani struck deals with several Italian vintners to bring their products to the U.S. The company was named after his aunt, Teodolinda Banfi, chief of the household staff of Pope Pius XI, with whom he and his mother lived during much of his childhood.
Tons of sexy fruit in this luscious ‘15 (a great vintage, as you undoubtedly know…) paired up with terrifically exotic spices - star anise, cardamom, anise. Totally delicious and impossible to put down (we know, we drank a bottle last night). THE PRICE! Stunning. While it lasts!
PAIRING IDEAS: You can't go wrong with pairing bistecca alla fiorentina with this wine! It's a classic. Not in the mood for steak? You can grill up some portobello mushrooms and have it with a side of cheesy polenta. Yum!
About the Producer
Banfi was born in 1978 thanks to the will of Italian-American brothers John and Harry Mariani. From the beginning the two brothers planned a large-scale project, integrating a quality wine production with a modern cellar with the aim of high quality wines. Alongside the Mariani family, Ezio Rivella, one of the greatest Italian oenologists, immediately believed that for the wealth
of the nature of the soil and the privileged microclimatic position, the acquired territories would have had great potential for development. In those years, the brothers John and Harry also took over the historic Piedmontese winery Bruzzone, active since 1860 and specialized in the production of sparkling wines, to make it the Piedmontese brand of the group, today Banfi Piemonte. The family believes in the philosophy that at the end of the day the "project is good for the people of Montalcino, good for Italy, good for America and good for all those who love quality wines."
