Castello Banfi Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2020 750ml

The nose is balanced, yet tense, as the warmth of tar and anise burns beneath sweet, almost flirtatious aromas of vanilla, Luxardo cherry and blood orange peel, with a saline freshness. The palate leans into the fruit and salinity, but a blast of pepper brings more warmth. Tightly coiled tannins mirror and emphasize the wine's overall energetic tension–a great deal for a classic example of Brunello.

A refined and generous Brunello, exhibiting plum, cherry, strawberry and even floral flavors. This strives for elegance, achieving it with harmony and a line of fine-grained tannins on the lingering finish. There's ample fruit midpalate that resonates on the mineral finish, showing fine definition. Best from 2026 through 2040. 66,500 cases made, 7,500 cases imported.

Really fresh and vivid with sliced lemon and apple heading into cherry and floral undertones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins and a vivid and bright finish. This is so drinkable and pretty for the hot and dry 2017 vintage, which produced many heavy Brunellos. Drink now or hold.

The Castello Banfi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a velvety character that includes the softness and generosity of a warm and dry vintage. The bouquet is redolent of cherry, blackcurrant, grilled herb and sweet rose. This Brunello is open-knit and accessible. It has sweet tannins on the close.

This red is defined by the strawberry, cherry and floral aromas and flavors, graced by notes of tar, tobacco, eucalyptus and wild herbs. Firm and unforgiving on the finish for now, yet stays persistent and lively through the long aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2042. 37,500 cases made, 4,600 cases imported. (Bruce Sanderson)

Subtle aromas of scorched earth, forest floor and mature berries mingle with a eucalyptus note. The full-bodied palate features cherry marinated in spirits, prune, roasted coffee bean and licorice framed in close-grained tannins. You’ll also notice the warmth of alcohol on the close. While it reflects the heat of the vintage, it also shows polish and restraint. (Kerin O’Keefe)

Aromas and flavors of graphite, cherry, blackberry, pomegranate and wet earth highlight this energetic, powerful red. Vibrant and focused, with a long aftertaste embedded in its muscular tannins. Best from 2029 through 2045.

The Castello Banfi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino relies on fruit freshness and varietal purity to show a classic side of this hot and dry vintage. The wine remains elegant and bright throughout with plenty of primary fruit, cherry and dried raspberry. It shows a clean, linear style with rosemary, blue flower and some green olive or wild fennel. This is a handy, near-term drinking wine with a hefty 15% alcohol that can be absorbed with a hearty pasta or lasagna. Production is impressive with 450,000 bottles.