Banfi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino - Vigna Marrucheto (Italy)

Something new from Banfi, another single vineyard Brunello, 

let the debate about Reserve vs Cru begin

 

Castello Banfi 

2017 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Marrucheto

 

 

 

 

WRITTEN REVIEW

If at first you succeed, try and replicate what you did - not exactly the old saying, but this “new version” is exactly what should and did happen with Vigna Marucheto ... But this time with even better results. The nose is identical to the 2016 offering with its cherry, kirsch, dried cherry notes, but the palate is richer and fruitier, and the acidity hides behind some pretty robust tannins. This is a delightful version of a single vineyard wine and shows why they decided to make wine from this specific plot.  (****+)

 

Banfi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino, Poggio alle Mura (Tuscany, Italy)

Iconic wines need little to no introduction, but tasting them is a totally different stor

Banfi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino, Poggio alle Mura

 

 >>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

The dark fruit is the first thing to show up (and stick around), it's rich and concentrated with a cherry, kirsch and smoky note on the finish. Meanwhile the acidity is a late arrival to the party (third / fourth sip), but once it shows it really makes its presence felt.  (****)

 

Le Potazzine 2016 Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy)

Truly one of the most balanced and delightful Brunello I have tasted 

from the fantastic 2016 vintage in Tuscany : 

Le Potazzine 2016 Brunello di Montalcino

 

>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

This wine just shows both a feminine and masculine side ... Which is a feat unto itself. It's well-rounded and full-bodied while still puffing out its chest and being bold and brazen. Lots of red fruit: currants and cherries with a slightly smoky elegance and floral charisma ... There's also some subtle rhubarb, brash tannins and yet also shows an earthy side - yet nothing overpowers, nothing overwhelms, everything has its place and is in its place. It has time on its side yet can easily find its way into a glass now. Absolutely lovely.  (**** ½)

 

Fattoria dei Barbi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna del Fiore

Brunello is a special wine unto itself, add in a single plot or single vineyard and you just up the ante

 

Fattoria Barbi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna del Fiore

 

 

 

--- THE WRITTEN REVIEW ---

The first vintage of this single vineyard offering was in 1981 - it's a southeast facing vineyard that sits at 250 meters above sea level and the oldest vines within the vineyard are between 20 to 25 years old. The wine spends one year in older barriques of three to five years of age; then another two years in 500-liter Slavonian oak (aka tonneau) ... Only 5,000 bottles are produced - so quite a small lot. Nice concentration and depth, yet subtle in so many ways ... Red fruit: cherry, red currant, strawberries and that oak is hidden so well behind a wall of spice and red fruit; there's even a floral aspect to this wine. It totally delivers on what single vineyard wines should be.  (**** ½)

 

Report from: Benvenuto Brunello in Toronto, March 8, 2016

Having just returned from Tuscany less than a month ago it was nice to see Tuscany’s big boy wine (Brunello) come to our shores to show off their wares. I stayed away from the younger wines, instead wanting to taste the aged versions. Oldest wine present was 2004 – but I tasted nothing past the year 2010 and there’s a Rosso on the way that’ll knock your socks off with in both taste and price (see special mention) … here’s the good stuff I tasted:

Four Stars …

Col D’Orcia 2010 Brunello di Montalcino (DOCG)

Lisini 2009 Brunello di Montalcino – Selezione Ugolaia (DOCG)

Podere Le Ripi 2009 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (DOCG)

Sassodisole 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (DOCG)

Four-Plus Stars …

Palazzo 2009 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (DOCG)

Best Producer …
Pouring three wines and all were spectacular:  

La Fiorita

2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (DOCG) … **** ½

2009 Brunello di Montalcino (DOCG) … **** ½

2010 Brunello di Montalcino (DOCG) … ****

Special Mention …

The producer, Rendola, whose label is vaguely familiar of a high profile Australian producer (you decide) had the oldest wine in attendance and a really good Rosso that should be at the LCBO in May at under $15.

2004 Brunello di Montalcino (DOCG) … *** ½+

2009 Rosso di Montalcino (DOC) … *** ½+

 For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.michaelpinkuswinereview.com, while there sign up for Michael's free weekly newsletter.

Report from: Benvenuto Brunello 2016 – February 19, 2016

The interesting part about Brunello is that it is not a one-size fits all wine and there are so many different styles to choose from: classic Brunello with its old world charm, modern Brunello with its high alcohol and big fruit and then there are Aussie-style Brunello that have gobs of fruit and wood and spice; what a fellow writer called “for the North American palate” (funny part is, he was from North America).

Today 127 producers showed off their wares from the 2011 vintage, plus the 2010 Riserva and a number of other wines – without getting too in-depth 127 producers with a minimum of two wines to taste equals 254 – and that’s not taking into account single vineyard offerings, Rossos and any other specialty wine they wanted to showcase; and with only a day to taste one must make hard choices of what to specialize in … I chose the 2011 Brunello di Montalcino.

Below are some of my selections (based on the wines I tried – looking at the above numbers and the time restraints, I hope you would agree with me when I say, one just can’t do ‘em all):

All Brunellos are from the 2011 vintage and in alphabetical order within the rating

(All scoring is out of 5 stars)

Three-and-a-Half Stars …

Lisini 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

San Polo 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Sesti 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Tenuta Crocedimezzo 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Val di Suga 2011 Brunello di Montalcino “Val di Suga”

Three-and-a-Half PLUS Stars …

Antinori 2011 Brunello di Montalcino “Pian delle Vigne”

Carpineto 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Col D’Orcia 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Il Poggione 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

La Gerla 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Mocali 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Palazzo 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Poggio Il Castellare 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Tenuta San Giorgio 2011 Brunello di Montalcino “Ugolforte”

Tiezzi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino “Poggio Cerrino”

Vasco Sassetti 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Villa Poggio Salvi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Four Stars …

Banfi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino “Castello Banfi”

Barbi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Brunelli 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Caparzo 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Fattoi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Le Chiuse 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Poggio Antico 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Talenti 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Villa I Cipressi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Four PLUS Stars …

Argiano 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Campogiovanni 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

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