Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura Riserva 2015

Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio alle Mura 2015 is a benchmark Tuscan red that captures the full depth and elegance of Sangiovese from one of Montalcino’s most celebrated estates. Sourced from the estate’s historic Poggio alle Mura vineyard surrounding the castle, this Riserva is produced only in the finest vintages and aged longer for extra complexity and nuance. The 2015 vintage, widely regarded as exceptional in Montalcino, delivers a Brunello of remarkable balance, structure and longevity.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Brunello Riserva shows a deep, vibrant ruby core with garnet highlights towards the rim, reflecting both concentration and a touch of maturity. The nose is layered and refined, opening with ripe dark cherry, black plum and dried red berries, followed by notes of violets, dried roses, sweet tobacco, cedar, leather and a subtle undercurrent of spice and balsamic herbs. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet poised, with finely structured tannins and a lively acidity that keeps the rich fruit lifted and precise. Flavors of sour cherry, black cherry and plum are interwoven with hints of licorice, cocoa, espresso, pipe tobacco and a touch of earthy truffle. The oak is beautifully integrated, adding polish rather than weight. The finish is long, savory and persistent, suggesting excellent aging potential; this 2015 is already approachable with proper aeration but will continue to evolve gracefully for 15–20 years or more from vintage.

Production
Poggio alle Mura is situated around the medieval Castello Banfi estate in the southern sector of Montalcino, where well-exposed slopes, stony galestro and sandstone soils, and a Mediterranean climate with significant diurnal shifts produce particularly intense and aromatic Sangiovese. The Sangiovese used here comes from carefully selected proprietary clonal selections developed by Banfi, hand-harvested at optimal ripeness to ensure concentration and balance. After meticulous sorting, fermentation typically takes place in temperature-controlled vessels (often a combination of stainless steel and large oak), with a long maceration to extract color, aroma and fine tannins. The Riserva designation means extended aging beyond the standard Brunello requirements; Poggio alle Mura Riserva spends a prolonged period in a combination of French oak barriques and larger Slavonian oak casks, followed by extended bottle aging in Banfi’s cellars to harmonize structure and complexity before release.

Food & Serving
This Brunello Riserva is a natural match for rich, savory dishes such as bistecca alla fiorentina, braised lamb shanks, wild boar ragù, truffle-infused pasta, aged pecorino Toscano and game birds. It also shines alongside slow-cooked beef stews and mushroom-driven dishes that echo its earthy, umami notes. Serve at 18–19°C (64–66°F) in large Burgundy or Bordeaux stems to allow the aromatics to expand. Decant for at least 1–2 hours in its youth, and even mature bottles will benefit from a gentle decant to remove sediment and fully open the bouquet.

Producer
Castello Banfi, founded in the late 1970s by the Mariani family, is one of the key modern ambassadors of Brunello di Montalcino on the world stage. Built around the beautifully restored medieval fortress of Poggio alle Mura, the estate led pioneering clonal research on Sangiovese, helping to elevate both the quality and reputation of Brunello. Today, Banfi is recognized for its meticulous vineyard management, sustainability initiatives and a portfolio that ranges from approachable Tuscan reds to top-tier single-vineyard Brunello bottlings. Poggio alle Mura Riserva stands as one of the estate’s flagship wines, regularly earning high critical acclaim and serving as a reference point for refined, ageworthy Brunello di Montalcino.

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