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1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill

Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine storage unit

Signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill

Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine storage unit

Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine storage unit

2 available
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RATINGS

96Wine Spectator

This balanced red is built for aging. Loads of strawberry, cherry and red licorice aromas. Full-bodied and very tannic, yet refined and polished, with a caressing texture. Long, long finish. A masterpiece. Best after 2004.

95Vinous / IWC

...nose of cinnamon, cedar, mint and iris. Wonderfully sweet in the mouth, with remarkably pure, fresh flavors of ripe plum, bing cherry and vanilla bean. Silky tannins and intriguing whiffs of cocoa and cassis on the lingering finish...

REGION

Italy, Tuscany, Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino is regarded as one of Italy’s best appellations. Located in south central Tuscany below Chianti, the wines of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG are made of a Sangiovese clone called “brunello,” which means “little dark one,” a reference to the brown tones in the skin of the grape. Unlike some Tuscan appellations that allow other grapes to be blended with Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino is entirely Sangiovese. Montalcino itself is a picturesque, hill-top town not especially well known for wine production until the mid-19th century, when a local vineyard owner isolated the brunello clone and planted it. Other growers followed suit. Nevertheless it wasn’t until 1970s that wine enthusiasts started paying attention to Brunello di Montalcino, which by then was becoming an outstanding wine. Today there are 120 estates in the DOCG, up from about 25 estates in 1975. Brunellos in general are bigger, darker, more tannic and more powerful wines than Chiantis or most other Sangioveses. By law they must be aged for four years, and two of those years must be in wooden barrels.