Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino – Smooth, Soft and Luscious

100% Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy.

SRP of $23 and available for as low as $17 and at Costco. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

“Our pioneering research uncovered a few clones from several hundred that are ideal in producing an elegant Rosso di Montalcino. These clones were registered and shared with all producers, helping raise Rosso di Montalcino to worldwide fame. Aged a minimum of 6 months in barriques, our wine is complex with hints of cherry, licorice and cedar with a velvety finish.

14.0% Alcohol”

Today we continue on with the value priced Sangiovese theme that was started in last week’s guest post — Brunello Bob’s Sangiovese Values. (If you missed it, I’d encourage you to go back and read that one for 10 excellent picks under $20.) The wine we are featuring today comes from one of our go-to producers for Italian wine, Banfi. We’ve enjoyed many of their wines in the past ranging from as little as $8, all the way up to $20 and have yet to be disappointed. You can check out a few of those here:

• Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 – The Real Thing.
• Castello Banfi Belnero 2009 – A Budget Quasi-Brunello (Costco Week 2013).
• Banfi Col Di Sasso Toscana 2010 – $8 Italian Reds.
• Banfi Chianti Superiore 2010 – One Terrific Tuscan.

The 2011 Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino begins with a beautiful aroma of plum, blueberry, black cherry, a little vanilla, spice and violets. Tasting the wine reveals tart black cherry and other red berries, elegant dried herbs and nice spice wrapped up in a smooth, soft and luscious texture. Dry, dusty tannins leads into the long finish. Excellent stuff!

Buy this wine online from our featured sponsor Marketview Liquor or see a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

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