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More wines available from Banfi
750ml
Bottle:
$20.40
Rated 90 - Plum, blackberry jam, violets, gamy nuances and licorice notes create a complex aromatic profile. The...
1.5Ltr
Bottle:
$18.68
Color: Pale-straw.
Bouquet: Fruity.
Taste: Crisp, fresh, refreshing.
750ml
Bottle:
$33.94
$34.79
Rated 92 - Deep character of ripe purple fruit with sweet spices, violets and chocolate notes. Full-bodied, succulent...
375ml
Bottle:
$34.80
Rated 94 - Rated 94 - Wild berry, forest floor and dark spice aromas mingle with eucalyptus. Aged in predominately in...
750ml
Bottle:
$68.04
$75.60
Rated 94 - Rated 94 - Wild berry, forest floor and dark spice aromas mingle with eucalyptus. Aged in predominately in...
More Details
Winery
Banfi
Vintage: 2009
Despite less than ideal climatic conditions, featuring storms which threatened an otherwise perfect year, most parts of California had an excellent year for viticulture. Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs were picked at optimum ripeness, and Californian white wine was just about as good as it could be. Surprises and overcoming difficulties summed up much of the United States' wine industry in 2009, and many of the results from Oregon, Washington State and all over California speak for themselves, with the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon grapes having developed healthy, thick skins and thus plenty of character and distinction. Elsewhere in the New World, South Africa had a very good year in 2009, and wineries across the cape of the African continent are proclaiming it a truly great vintage.
In most of Europe, fine weather and punctual ripening periods produced some excellent wines, with many of the best coming out of France's Bordeaux and the surrounding regions. Merlot had an exceptionally good year in France, and wineries are proclaiming that the 2009 Merlot harvest was one of the best in living memory. Indeed, across most of France, ripening was relatively even, and red wine grapes such as Cabernet Franc, Syrah and others were reportedly highly characterful, with plenty of the required tannin levels with which to make high quality wines. Italy, too, had a very good 2009. Piedmont reported extremely favorable conditions throughout 2009, and their signature Nebbiolo grapes were more or less perfect when harvested, having benefited from the slight drop in temperature at the end of their ripening period. Veneto, too, had an enviable year, producing superb Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay wines in 2009.
Varietal: Sangiovese
Sangiovese qualifies as one of the truly ancient grape varietals of the Old World, and whilst it is now grown in several countries across the globe, it very much remains a classic grape of Italian wine making. One of the key features of the Sangiovese grape varietal is that it can act as a 'sponge' of flavors when maturing in oak, taking on the earthy and vanilla tones present in the barrel. These dark grapes produce a wide variety of fine wines, from the lively and strawberry flavored young wines which are growing in popularity, to the complex, spicy and delicious aged wines which are treasured by drinkers and collectors worldwide. With a history which dates back to before the times of the Roman empire, Sangiovese will no doubt continue to be a favorite for wineries wishing to plant grapes which will guarantee quality, and will always attract wine lovers worldwide.
Region: Tuscany
The central Italian region of Tuscany is widely understood to be one of the world's most famous and highly regarded wine regions. The beautiful rolling hillsides and medieval towns and castles which are a key feature of the area are also home to many of Europe's finest wineries, and extremely high quality vineyards growing the distinctive Sangiovese and Vernaccia grape varietals which are the flavorful backbone of Tuscany's wonderful red and white wines. For almost three thousand years, this region has been recognized as an ideal home for wine production on a large scale, and the ancient Etruscans, Greeks and Romans all noticed that fine grape varietals flourished on the unique soils and under the hot sunshine which typifies the area. Today, Tuscany is home to a wide range of wines, from the traditional to the complex, but all dedicated to excellent flavors and aromas, and maintaining the region's international reputation.
Country: Italy
There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.