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SKU 1008211
$32.00Original price was: $32.00.$28.00Current price is: $28.00./bottle
4 in stock
Availability: There are 4 bottles available for Rapid Shipment or in-store pick up at our location in Ballston Lake, N.Y.
The Castello Banfi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a velvety character that includes the softness and generosity of a warm and dry vintage. The bouquet is redolent of cherry, blackcurrant, grilled herb and sweet rose. This Brunello is open-knit and accessible. It has sweet tannins on the close.
The name of this grape, meaning 'blood of Jove' conjures up evocative images of long dead civilizations, and gives the Sangiovese varietal a sense of the holy, the sacred, the special. Indeed, this particular type of Italian grape has been cultivated and processed for thousands of years, and is said to be the original favorite grape varietal of the Romans, and the Etruscans before them. Throughout history, vintners have continued to plant this varietal, and they continue to produce wonderful wines to this day. The long bunches of very dark, round fruit are treasured by fine wineries in Italy and a few other places around the world, and when young, these grapes are lively – full of strawberry flavors and a little spiciness. However, it is when they are aged in oak that they take on some truly special flavors and aromas, as seen in some of the finest wines of the Old World.
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.
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.
Appellation
Brunello Di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino, an esteemed wine appellation in Tuscany, Italy, has been crafting exceptional red wines since its establishment in 1966. Focused exclusively on the Sangiovese grape, specifically the local Brunello clone, this region's unique terroir of warm, dry climate and well-drained soils imparts richness and complexity to the wines. The hallmark of Brunello is its extended aging, requiring a minimum of four years, with at least two spent in oak barrels. This meticulous process results in bold, full-bodied wines with robust tannins, vibrant acidity, and a remarkable aging potential. Flavors of ripe red berries and dark cherries, coupled with notes of leather, tobacco, and spices, define the nuanced profile of Brunello di Montalcino wines. Exploring these wines offers enthusiasts a captivating journey into the world of Italian winemaking, showcasing the harmonious blend of tradition, terroir, and meticulous craftsmanship.
WA93pts
Wine Advocate
The Castello Banfi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a velvety character that includes the softness and generosity of a warm and dry vintage. The bouquet is redolent of cherry, blackcurrant, grilled herb and sweet rose. This Brunello is open-knit and accessible. It has sweet tannins on the close.
JS93pts
James Suckling
Youthful profile here with almost vinous character. Abundant violets and roses on the nose, together with cherries and pomegranates. Fruity again on the medium- to full-bodied palate with firm, velvety tannins, a lot of freshness and good length. Plenty of substance and alcohol. It will need time to integrate. Best after 2026.
WS92pts
Wine Spectator
Aromas and flavors of graphite, cherry, blackberry, pomegranate and wet earth highlight this energetic, powerful red. Vibrant and focused, with a long aftertaste embedded in its muscular tannins. Best from 2029 through 2045.
JD92pts
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino is a bright red/ruby color and is pretty on the nose with aromas of baked strawberries, sweet spices, dusty earth, and hints of lavender. Medium-bodied and weightless on the palate, with fine, dusty tannins, an elegantly fruity feel, it's a charming, approachable Brunello that retains good freshness and finesse. Drink it over the coming 6-8 years.
DC91pts
Decanter
Produced in ample quantities, Banfi’s estate Brunello is assembled from its 173.5ha of vineyards expanding over the rolling hills in Montalcino’s southwest corner. Attractive though subtle to begin, it unveils with potpourri, thyme and vanilla on a backdrop of red cherry. The palate flaunts more obvious fruit ripeness as pliant tannins frame the whole. Sandy minerals add nuance to this ready-to-go, medium-to-full bodied package, which delivers plenty of satisfaction for its reasonable price point.
VM90pts
Vinous Media
Darkly floral and earthy upon first tilt, the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino impresses with a bouquet of dried florals, tobacco and spiced black cherries. It sweeps across the palate with soothingly round textures and ripe wild berry fruits underscored by tactile mineral tones that are grippy toward the close. The 2020 finishes structured and long, with a resonance of licorice and violet florals that swirl over a tinge of sour citrus.
Winery Notes
Color: Intense ruby red with garnet reflections.
Bouquet: Ethereal, violet, vanilla with hints of licorice.
Taste: Full, soft, velvety, with traces of spice.
375ml
Rapid Ship
