Sign In

2016 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

March 24, 2024 - $46

Estimate

RATINGS

95James Suckling

Lots of plum and dark-berry character with citrus, cedar and sandalwood. Very pure sangiovese. Full-bodied with firm, racy tannins and cool, vivid fruit at the finish. Some mineral, tar and steel undertones.

94The Wine Advocate

...sharp and focused fruit with leather, potting soil and balsam herb. For a straight-up classic Brunello, this wine delivers the goods.

92Wine Spectator

A rich, earthy style that offers plum, cherry, iron and cigar box flavors, with plenty of power. Broad in profile, ends with savory elements of forest floor and wild herbs.

92Wine Enthusiast

Camphor, rose and new leather aromas form the nose along with a whiff of baking spice on this vibrant red. Polished and taut, the savory palate offers spiced cranberry, red cherry and star anise before finishing on a coffee note. Lithe, refined tannins and fresh acidity provide balanced support.

91Jeb Dunnuck

...aromatics of ripe black cherry, baking spice, tobacco, cedar, and dusty earth are followed by a medium-bodied palate with dried cherry, black tea, and fresh tomato leaf, finishing with fine-grained, well-integrated tannins.

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.