Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 1999
(Tuscany, Italy) - [WS 94] [WE 91] [VM 90]

Notes from the Winemaker:
A "classic" of our production, this Brunello di Montalcino is obtained with clones of Sangiovese selected after 20 years of research on this unique grape and is aged in French oak barrels of 350 lt as well as in 60-120 hl Slavonian barrels. The most aristocratic combination of Montalcino tradition with winemaking modernity.

Description:
Colour: intense ruby red with garnet reflections.
Bouquet: ethereal, wide, light vanilla.
Taste: full, soft, velvety and intense, with sensations of liquorice, spices and light
goudron note.

Food Pairing: This wine is particularly suited to accompany red meat, game and aged cheeses. Long aging potential.

Production Technique:
The meticulous grape selection (yield not exceeding 6 metric tons/ha) is followed by vinification in temperature-controlled Horizon hybrid stainless steel & wood tanks, with skin contact for 10-12 days. The wine ages for 2 years in various sizes oak barrels, 350-liter barriques, and 60- and 120 hl barrels; the wine is subsequently aged in bottle for an additional 8-12 months before release.

94 Points - Wine Spectator:

"This wine shows an incredible concentration of fruit, with loads of berries and spices on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft and silky tannins and lots of smoky character. Goes for a long time on the finish. Always a benchmark for the region. Best after 2005. " - James Suckling

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Rich, dark and muscular, with deep, jammy aromas of plum and blackberry. Banfi toes the line between modern and traditional, and this wine fits their model perfectly. It's a ripe, sizable mouthful, yet it has some true-life edges to it." - Michael Schachner (June 2004)

90 Points - Vinous Media

"Impressive saturated ruby, extremely dark for Brunello. Brooding aromas of dark berry syrup and licorice; distinct hints of surmaturite Then big, broad and extremely unevolved; highly concentrated but currently monolithic, and not really displaying its fruit. Finishes with big, chewy but ultimately rather fine tannins. Impressive in a modern style, but is this too solid for its own good?" - Stephen Tanzer (Sept 2004)