1985 Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva

Castello Banfi is the flagship estate of Banfi Vintners, which is owned and operated by the Mariani family of New York. The privately-held Banfi Vintners was founded by John Mariani Sr. in New York in 1919 when he started importing European wines to the U.S. Today Banfi Vintners is run by his grandchildren and the enterprise includes a large portfolio of wine estates in Europe and elsewhere. Castello Banfi owns 7,000 acres, 2,000 of which are planted to grape vines. The estate also grows olives, wheat, truffles and plums. Castello Banfi makes many wines, but is known especially for its Brunello di Montalcino and Sangiovese. It also makes several Super Tuscans including its Summus and Excelsus Cabernet Sauvignon blends.

Chianti is Tuscany’s most famous and historic wine district, and the Chianti Classico DOCG is the most prestigious Chianti appellation. Fittingly, it is located in the heart of the larger Chianti DOCG. Chianti’s wines were so esteemed during the Renaissance that the Medici princes of Florence designated several villages within the Chianti region as discrete production zones, setting up the first appellations in Italy. By the 20th century Chianti was Italy’s primary wine export. But the pizza parlor Chiantis sent to foreign markets were inexpensive, unremarkable reds presented in round-bottomed, straw-covered bottles. To upgrade Chianti wines and the region’s image, the Chianti Classico DOC was created in 1967, then upgraded to DOCG status in 1984, with additional modifications made in 1996. In the last 20 years a consortium of Chianti Classico producers have researched new Sangiovese clones, replanted vineyards, updated cellar practices and generally made Chianti Classico DOCG a world-class appellation. Chianti Classico must contain a minimum of 75% Sangiovese. In the 2014 edition of its annual compendium of wine ratings, Gambero Rosso noted that Chianti Classico DOCG wines were noteworthy for their “significant return to a more defined style, true to tradition.”

This red grape is largely grown in central Italy. As the sole component or in a blend, it gives us Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino and Super Tuscans, among other favorites wines. The name is derived from the Latin for “blood of Jove.”