The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino offers clean and pristine fruit and otherwise delivers a textbook interpretation of the vintage. Given the large extension of vineyards farmed by this estate, which is located on the southern side of the appellation, and the deft technological approach employed in the winery, you can count on Castello Banfi to offer an authentic read of any of their wines about to hit the market or that have been aged at the back of your cellar. Indeed, the Banfi library of wines acts as an institutional memory of modern Brunello. This edition shows sharp and focused fruit with leather, potting soil and balsam herb. For a straight-up classic Brunello, this wine delivers the goods.

Camphor, rose and new leather aromas form the nose along with a whiff of baking spice on this vibrant red. Polished and taut, the savory palate offers spiced cranberry, red cherry and star anise before finishing on a coffee note. Lithe, refined tannins and fresh acidity provide balanced support. Drink 2022-2028.

A rich, earthy style that offers plum, cherry, iron and cigar box flavors, with plenty of power. Broad in profile, ends with savory elements of forest floor and wild herbs. Best from 2023 through 2040. 4,600 cases imported.

The 2016 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino was aged for two years in French oak, 20% of which was in barriques. Its aromatics of ripe black cherry, baking spice, tobacco, cedar, and dusty earth are followed by a medium-bodied palate with dried cherry, black tea, and fresh tomato leaf, finishing with fine-grained, well-integrated tannins. Enjoy over the next 15 years.

The 2016 Banfi Brunello di Montalcino blends rich coffee and mocha notes with dark earth tones, savory herbs and woodland berries. The textures are velvety-smooth, giving way to a polished display of black fruits and cooling mintiness. Saturating tannins come in late yet make themselves known through the cheek-puckering finale, tapering off to hints of red currant. It's a well-constructed and balanced effort that should do well through medium-term cellaring.