1999 Banfi, Brunello de Montalcino

A tremendously deep and intense color that is quite unheard of for a Sangiovese. A full bouquet of red fruits, plums, cherries and ripe blackberries is well balanced with hints of vanilla from the tannins. The wine opens on the palate with pleasant notes of licorice, tobacco and black olives. The tannins are thick and silky, extremely rich but not overpowering. The wine is full bodied and well structured, with excellent fruit concentration and length. A great wine that should only improve with age.

2894 points, Wine Spectator

This shows an incredible concentration of fruit, with loads of berries and spices on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft and silky tannins and lots of smoky character and a long finish. Best after 2005. 55,000 cases made. — James Suckling, May 15, 2004.

91 points Wine Enthusiast

Rich, dark and muscular, with deep, jammy aromas of plum and blackberry. Banfi toes the line between modern and traditional, and this wine fits their model perfectly. It's a ripe, sizable mouthful, yet it has some true-life edges to it. Drink now through 2009. —Michael Schachner, June 01, 2004.