Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2019

Castello Banfi has been revered for its Brunello di Montalcino since its inception in 1978 – and with mountains of critical praise, this 2019 vintage may just be their best yet! At over $35 off retail, this stunning 96-point representation of Brunello is a stellar find for your cellar!

Italian-American brothers, John and Harry Mariani, founded the 2,830-hectare estate of Castello Banfi in Montalcino in 1978. As prior wine importers and retailers in New York, the two hoped to fulfill their next dream of running a Tuscan winery, building something all their own and supporting the culture and economy of the local Montalcino region while they were at it. One fairytale castle – which they carefully restored – and 850 hectares of vineyards later... their dream has become a most beautiful reality. They’ve significantly aided in the research of Sangiovese clones, and their estate not only produces world-class wines, but also attracts tourists from all over the world to stay at their luxury medieval castle and visit their enoteco, balsamic cellar, glass museum, and Michelin-starred restaurant.

With an avid commitment to tradition and sustainability alike, the winery has the Equalitas sustainability certification and even developed a signature vine-training system called Albarello Banfi to limit the vines’ access to water and nutrients, and allow for an incredible 4-5 bunches to grow per vine. Their vast vineyard holdings produce 12% of all BOCG Brunello today – but don’t think for one second that their large production eliminates a searing attention to detail. Using low-intervention farming, along with more than half of the estate covered in native Mediterranean plant life and several hundred hectares dedicated to plum trees, wheat, olive trees, truffle oaks, and more – this is a generously producing, keenly environmentally aware estate with so much to give, even beyond the wine.

But, let’s not forget to talk about this incredibly special wine! Kerin O’Keefe so accurately states, “Castello di Banfi’s straight Brunello just gets better every year as the 2019 aptly proves.” The 2019 growing season had some of the most idyllic weather conditions in recent history and produced vibrant, exceptionally balanced, purely flavored fruit with remarkable longevity. In fact, many people think it is the best modern-day vintage of Brunello di Montalcino – and this one is an absolute classic, built to age but drinking gloriously well now! Pouring a gorgeous ruby red, the aromatics waft from the glass with notes of black cherry, plum, strawberry, and purple flowers in a balanced and bright foray. The palate continues with more ample dark blue and red fruits, along with generous and warm flavors of earthy mushroom, cedar chips, blood orange zest, and a spray of pepper, with a backbone of saline minerality and dusty tannins. All around exceptional stuff for a wily half-off retail price, sitting pretty under $55 a bottle! This is a wine that you need a few of at least – some to crack open now, some to hold on to for later!

PAIRING IDEAS: We’re drooling over this Ina Garten recipe for baked rigatoni with lamb ragu – a perfectly hearty accompaniment to this big, bright, and earthy Brunello!