2016 CASTELLO BANFI Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Marrucheto

Sangiovese from three plots in the Marrucheto vineyard (10 ha) planted in 2009. Fermentation in tronconic oak casks and stainless-steel tanks and aged for 30 months in French oak casks of 60 and 90 hl. Lustrous ruby. Subdued but perfumed and concentrated nose. The merest hint of oak with stony, minerally notes and dried fruit. Lots of juicy, almost racy cherry fruit and gorgeous chewy tannins. Still too young but showing lots of potential. (WS)

This is a new wine from Castello Banfi that I can say, with a certain amount of pride, I witnessed come to life. For a few years, I have enjoyed parcel-by-parcel tastings with the winemaking team at Castello Banfi, and little did I know back then that this special vineyard was being singled out for its own bottling. The soils have layers of lime and fine sand in some spots, with rocky clay in others. The introduction of the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Marrucheto is big news for this estate, as it represents a shift toward vineyard mapping and micro vinifications that is quickly becoming part of the definition of a modern Brunello. Castello Banfi has been ahead of the curve on these fronts for many years. This new wine shows depth and power, yet it holds back so as never to be overpowering. The dark fruit is most certainly characterized by darkness and savory concentration, and there are plentiful notes of leather, tar and aniseed. What stands out here is the balanced intensity of the fruit that feels pure, linear and direct. That intensity is taken down a notch in the palate, where the wine is given more opportunity to show a more elegant side. For its inaugural vintage, Vigna Marrucheto is born under that lucky 2016 star. With 13,000 bottles made, this wine won't be released until September 2021 (and is not yet priced).