Castello Banfi, Toscana Rosso IGT (Tuscany, Italy) 2011

The whole “Super-Tuscan” category has been bastardized by lower end-wines that are juked up with cellar tricks, but with that said…there are wines that really vindicate the self-congratulatory name.  And this is one of them.  Blended from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is obviously built on terrific material, and the wood component is perfectly weighted against the fruit, so this has a full decade of improvement virtually assured.  Although the wine shows a lot of coiled power that should optimally be given time to un-coil, it really isn’t closed nor hard, and shows delicious dark fruit tones recalling black plums and blackberries, with a spicy backnote and just a hint of wood tannin.  Equal parts muscle and grace here, making for an exceptionally interesting wine with a long and promising future.  Platinum Award winner at the 2016 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge.