"Just Gets Better Every Year" — 2019 Banfi Brunello

2019 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $65) ($44.99)

*Pre-arrival: available for shipment or delivery in late 2024.

95 points James Suckling: "A beautiful red with cedar, mushroom and cherry character, as well as hints of sandalwood. Its medium-bodied and very polished with loveliness and finesse that comes through clearly. A wine to drink young, but will age very nicely. Drink or hold." (09/2023)

95 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Castello di Banfis straight Brunello just gets better every year as the 2019 aptly proves. Its smooth, concentrated, delicious and energized, not an easy combination but one that they rock in the 2019 vintage. It starts out with aromas of camphor, truffle, ripe black-skinned berry and tobacco while the enveloping palate doles out fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, almond and cake spice framed in velvety tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it lifted and vibrant." (11/2023)

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "The nose is balanced, yet tense, as the warmth of tar and anise burns beneath sweet, almost flirtatious aromas of vanilla, Luxardo cherry and blood orange peel, with a saline freshness. The palate leans into the fruit and salinity, but a blast of pepper brings more warmth. Tightly coiled tannins mirror and emphasize the wine's overall energetic tensiona great deal for a classic example of Brunello. (DC)" (09/2024)

94 points Wine Spectator: "A refined and generous Brunello, exhibiting plum, cherry, strawberry and even floral flavors. This strives for elegance, achieving it with harmony and a line of fine-grained tannins on the lingering finish. There's ample fruit midpalate that resonates on the mineral finish, showing fine definition. (BS)" (06/2024)

93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A rich red hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is a touch shy on opening before revealing aromas of cherry pie, a hint of blue fruit coming through with violets, and anise. Medium to full-bodied, it has a pop of angular texture, chalky tannins, and a clean, lovely, tapered finish. This exceptional wine from Banfi offers a lot of purity and finesse. (AF)" (02/2024)