The 2009 Rosso di Montalcino is a dazzling wine. Rich dark plums, cherries, spices and tobacco emerge from this extroverted, intense Rosso. The raciness of the fruit leaves a lasting impression. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.
A renewed focus on quality is in the air at Banfi. A new sorting table and smaller, custom-designed tanks that allow for parcel-by-parcel vinification were added for the 2007 harvest, and the first results seem promising. I tasted a number of single-clone and single-vineyard Brunelli from the 2009 vintage that showed beautifully, while an approximate blend of the 2007 Brunello was also strong. It will be fascinating to watch the direction Montalcino’s largest and best-known estate takes over the coming years.
Importer: Banfi Vintners, Glen Head, NY; tel. (516) 626-9200