Castello Banfi
Castello Banfi is a family owned estate vineyard and winery in the Brunello region of Tuscany. Teodolinda Banfi provided the inspiration for founder (and nephew) John Mariani to establish Banfi Vintners in 1919. It was Teodolinda’s knowledge of fine wines that ultimately shaped John’s choice of a career in the wine industry according to our Castello Banfi wine reviews. Castello Banfi wines are well known for combining high quality and value throughout their Tuscan region offerings. However they also produce signature wines that are available in 50 countries around the world, including the single-vineyard reserve Poggio all'Oro and unfiltered cru Poggio alle Mura Brunellos, as well as three proprietary cuvées, ExcelsuS, SummuS and Cum Laude. The wine they are most recognized for by consumers and critics alike is their Brunello di Montalcino according to our Castello Banfi wine ratings. In 2001, Castello Banfi was awarded the honor of European Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine at the prestigious Wine Star Awards.
Castello Banfi 2007 Summus Red (Toscana)
- $69
Summus is a beautiful Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah that opens with a drying, dusty mineral feel followed by loads of plump, ripe fruit. Great care was executed in the clonal selection of Sangiovese and that variety delivers the wine’s distinctive territoriality.
— M.L.
(10/1/2011)
Castello Banfi 2006 Poggio alle Mura Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello di Montalcino)
- $82
The celebrated Poggio alle Mura Brunello delivers hearty masculine richness and deep layers of sassy spice that are offset by plush blackberry and cherry nuances. The wine shows solid structure that will soften with careful cellar aging.
— M.L.
(4/1/2011)
Castello Banfi 1995 Excelsus Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Toscana)
- $50
A fabulous Cabernet-Merlot vino da tavola from Banfi’s Montalcino vineyards. It takes about an hour to open up, but once it does, wow, it’s all there. Deep, cool, and delicious at the core, this really shows a new-world friendliness; it’s extremely easy to drink, with its sweet blackberry and plummy character. Hedonistic stuff, and more or less ready now.
— M.S.
(3/1/2000)
Castello Banfi 1997 Poggio all’Oro Riserva Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
- Cellar Selection
- $125
Rock solid and compact. This wine is true-blue Brunello, meant to be cellared for 10 or more years. Flavors of plum, cherry and currant are pure, and there’s far more fruit here than wood. But the tannins are like nails and they get harder and harder with each sip. Yes, it’s a top-flight Brunello, but hold, for best results, until 2010.
— M.S.
(11/15/2003)
Castello Banfi 1999 Poggio alla Mura Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
- $75
Banfi’s single-vineyard Brunello shines in ’99. It’s ruby/purple in color, with lush black-fruit aromas accented by vanilla, violets and licorice. Made in the so-called modern style, but with fine tannins and body. Some firm oak pops up late in the game, but if given a few years, that should be integrated. Good teeth on the finish suggest ageability.
— M.S.
(6/1/2004)
Castello Banfi 2004 Excelsus Red (Sant'Antimo)
- $81
This vintage of this Cab-Sangiovese-Merlot blend is uniquely attractive and refined, offering a modern, direct approach and delivers pristine aromas of black cherry, blackberry, exotic spice, leather and pipe tobacco. In the mouth, it boasts thick tannins and excellent length.
— M.L.
(4/1/2008)
Castello Banfi 2007 Florus Moscadello (Moscadello di Montalcino)
- Online Exclusive
This vintage of Florus shows enormous purity and elegance and the various floral, fruit and almond aromas show seamless integration. The wine is thick, creamy and dense on the palate, but a zesty touch of acidity and chopped mint keeps it from ever feeling sticky or heavy.
— M.L.
(12/31/2010)
Castello Banfi 2005 Poggio alle Mura Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello di Montalcino)
- $85
Castello Banfi’s cru expression of Brunello, Poggio alle Mura, is a dark and delicious Brunello with a vertical aromatic delivery of blackberry, currants, plums, cola, mesquite and spice. Sweet oak flavors of vanilla spread over the palate and the wine has impressive consistency and persistency.
— M.L.
(10/1/2010)
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