Brunello di Montalcino Ris. DOCG Poggio alle Mura 2010 Banfi

I'm confident this is the best wine (as a new release) I have tasted from Castello Banfi. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio Alle Mura offers rich intensity with seamless integration between its primary fruit aromas and background oak shadings. It is distinguished by elegant tones of licorice, dark mineral and cola that are associated with the six-year aging process required of Brunello Riserva. The bouquet shows enormous depth and fluid nuances of spice and chocolate that add plumpness, opulence and softness. The wine shows a rich and well extracted mouthfeel that is impressive both in terms of consistency and persistence. A bright flash of acidity bodes well for this wine's future cellar evolution.

Montalcino suffered an important loss this year with the passing of Harry Mariani in early January. The 78-year-old founded Castello Banfi with his brother John Mariani in 1978. That investment by the Mariani brothers would forever change the Montalcino winescape, and would contribute significantly to the explosive growth and overall success of one of the most iconic wine appellations on the planet. This important estate has created two beautiful wines in 2010. The spectacular Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio alle Mura sees fruit sourced from various sites around the perimeter of the castle. This wine is my favorite. The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio All'Oro comes from a single vineyard located to the north of the castle. This vineyard includes 24 hectares of vines and sees the most extreme fruit selection and the vines are some of the oldest in Castello Banfi's collection. In all, the estate has a total of 2,800 hectares of land between forests and vineyards. With Managing Director Enrico Viglierchio I tasted through barrel samples of Sangiovese from the 2015 representing 14 vineyard sites. No other estate can offer such a wide taste of the Montalcino territory.

This is very tannic and powerful with blueberries, blackberries and milk chocolate. Full body, firm tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Shows length and power. A wine for decades ahead. Greatest Banfi red ever. Better in 2018.

Cherry, leather, tar and milk chocolate flavors mingle in this big, chunky red. Balanced toward the tannic side, with a long aftertaste of spice, earth and chocolate. Should settle down in a few years. Best from 2019 through 2033. 1,000 cases made.