2017 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Marrucheto

"This is the second edition of a wine that the entire cellar team at Castello Banfi is proud to present. A lot of work, research and thinking went into the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Marrucheto. This bottle represents perhaps the most tangible conclusion of years of vineyard mapping, soil studies and cellar tweaking. This one parcel, the Vigna Marrucheto, with light brown soils rich with marina fossils and smooth stones, was singled out for its fruit purity, intensity and endurance. The wine opens to a dark, inky appearance with plenty of ripe plum followed by spice, leather and tarry smoke. Vigna Marrucheto (with 13,325 bottles released) is velvety and soft with lots of volume and depth. This hot vintage is especially characterized by that ripeness. Drink dates 2024 - 2040." - Monica Larner Review Date: February 2022

"Aromas of fragrant blue flowers, baked plum and mocha shape the nose. Bold and brawny, the full-bodied palate offers prune, dried cherry, licorice and the heat of evident alcohol alongside close-grained, drying tannins. Give the tannins another year or two, then drink sooner rather than later. Drink 2023-2028." - Kerin O'Keefe Review Date: April 2022