Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2009
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James
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Castello Banfi’s 2009 Brunello di Montalcino is a well made and straightforward expression of Sangiovese that delivers the goods in an utterly clear and confident manner. It helps to know that this wine has some of the most sophisticated technology and most experienced winemakers at its back. This is one of a handful of new vintages to benefit from new investments to the crush pad and grape processing areas. What I like about this vintage is that is shows a little more of the distinct personality (the supple warmth and textural smoothness) that you get with Brunello made in the lower Sant’Angelo quadrant. The appearance is dark and rich, followed by balanced tones of dried cherry, raspberry, coffee grinds, leather and mild tobacco. The oak regime sees two years of 50% botte grande and 50% French barrique. Drink: 2016-2021
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James Suckling
A wine with rich fruit: sweet plums and berries. Full, juicy and flavorful. Round tannins. Needs another year or two to come together.
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Castello Banfi is a family-owned vineyard estate and winery located in the Brunello region of Tuscany. This award-winning estate was founded on the philosophy of blending tradition with innovation, and is recognized as a pioneer in elevating the standards of Italian winemaking. Dedication to excellence has won the approval of aficionados the world over. Capturing honor after prestigious honor, Castello Banfi is a constellation of single vineyards encompassing over three dozen varying subsoils. The estate is renowned for its clonal research that allows noble grape varieties to thrive in their optimal terroir, creating not only a consistently outstanding Brunello, but the ultimate expression of Montalcino Super Tuscans.
Among Italy's elite red grape varieties, Sangiovese has the perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino. Somm Secret—Sangiovese doubles under the alias, Nielluccio, on the French island of Corsica where it produces distinctly floral and refreshing reds and rosés.
Famous for its bold, layered and long-lived red, Brunello di Montalcino, the town of Montalcino is about 70 miles south of Florence, and has a warmer and drier climate than that of its neighbor, Chianti. The Sangiovese grape is king here, as it is in Chianti, but Montalcino has its own clone called Brunello.
The Brunello vineyards of Montalcino blanket the rolling hills surrounding the village and fan out at various elevations, creating the potential for Brunello wines expressing different styles. From the valleys, where deeper deposits of clay are found, come wines typically bolder, more concentrated and rich in opulent black fruit. The hillside vineyards produce wines more concentrated in red fruits and floral aromas; these sites reach up to over 1,600 feet and have shallow soils of rocks and shale.
Brunello di Montalcino by law must be aged a minimum of four years, including two years in barrel before realease and once released, typically needs more time in bottle for its drinking potential to be fully reached. The good news is that Montalcino makes a “baby brother” version. The wines called Rosso di Montalcino are often made from younger vines, aged for about a year before release, offer extraordinary values and are ready to drink young.