Castello Banfi, Toscana IGT (Italy) 2009

At nearly $30 Belnero’s suggested retail price is hardly chump change, but this is easily one of the greatest values in red wine this year. BelnerO is nearly 100 percent Sangiovese from the highly regarded Castello Banfi estate in Montalcino, Italy (where Banfi also grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah). The first vintage of BelnerO was 2005 and each of the five vintages now in release has been superb. This is a firmly structured, remarkably complex Sangiovese that, like the Brunello di Monalcino of the region, will improve with age. It exhibits notes of black cherry and dried herbs, with firm acidity and fine tannins. This wine won a gold medal at the 2012 Sommelier Challenge, where it was evaluated by a team of certified sommeliers.