Reviews
The Castello Banfi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Marrucheto shows a special character of balsam notes and medicinal herb that give just a little extra lift to the bouquet. Beyond that is dark fruit, blackcurrant and crushed rose. Of the three 2020 Brunellos released by Banfi, the Vigna Marrucheto has the brightest set of aromas and the best inner energy. The tannins are very smooth and silky in this case.
"A ray of cherry cuts through this tightly woven red, lending an air of freshness and accessibility to the otherwise compact profile. Strawberry, raspberry, rose and mineral flavors complete the spectrum. There's tension between its elegance and punch, with density and vivid acidity driving the terrific aftertaste. Best from 2028 through 2046." Bruce Sanderson
Restrained, licorice-soaked cherries and raspberries, together with rose and violet nuances. There is depth and intensity here. Soft attack with refined, velvety tannins, moderate but refreshing acidity and full to medium body with a chewy but supple finish. Almost ready to drink, with potential for aging. Try from 2025.
Textbook Sangiovese flavors of cherry, iron and sanguine add hints of menthol and tar to the mix in this sleek, tightly wound version. Pointed tannins leave their mark on the finish, but not before this plays out with intensity and vigor. Best from 2027 through 2043.
Lovely berry and cherry character with ash undertones on the nose. Medium body, fine tannins and pretty energy at the end. Hints of citrusy undertones here. Shows finesse, focus and beauty. Drinkable now, but better in a few years.
The nose blends sweet and savory, as notes of cherries, blackberries and vanilla sing above a treacly smear of soil, tar and balsamic vinegar. On the palate, the cherries grow sour and, along with a splash of blood orange pith, bring out the blackberries' tartness. Acidity and spice coil around tight tannins.
An intense red, with blackberry, black currant, wet hay, leather, earth and iron aromas and flavors piercing the athletic structure. Almost delicate, with a dense matrix of tannins for support. Features fine energy and length.
Now in its proverbial third leaf (or the third vintage made), the Castello Banfi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Marrucheto is a wine of rich concentration and dark fruit nuances. The bouquet is tight and powerful with all kinds of black cherry and wild currant aromas. The balance is good and so is the intensity of the primary fruit. Only the strong 15% alcohol content is out of place. This is a solid Brunello that will appeal to those who love the richer and more saturated side of Sangiovese. There is some sour cherry on the close, and the tannins would benefit from a few more years in the bottle.
Cranberries, crushed raspberries, bark, tobacco leaf, hazelnuts and lemons on the nose. Expressive, fresh and savory on the palate, with bright acidity and tight, firm tannins. I like the tangy energy at the end. Try in 2024.
Aromas of fragrant blue flowers, baked plum and mocha shape the nose. Bold and brawny, the full-bodied palate offers prune, dried cherry, licorice and the heat of evident alcohol alongside close-grained, drying tannins. Give the tannins another year or two, then drink sooner rather than later.
Very pretty blue fruits with crushed stone and bark as well as pine needle undertones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with firm and velvety tannins with a dusty texture. Very long and fresh with brightness and focus. Better after 2023 but already attractive and fresh for the vintage.
| Review product name | Reviewer | Rating | Review text | Date posted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | Wine Advocate | 94+ |
The Castello Banfi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Marrucheto shows a special character of balsam notes and medicinal herb that give just a little extra lift to the bouquet. Beyond that is dark fruit, blackcurrant and crushed rose. Of the three 2020 Brunellos released by Banfi, the Vigna Marrucheto has the brightest set of aromas and the best inner energy. The tannins are very smooth and silky in this case. |
April 9, 2025 |
| 2020 Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | Wine Spectator | 95 pts |
"A ray of cherry cuts through this tightly woven red, lending an air of freshness and accessibility to the otherwise compact profile. Strawberry, raspberry, rose and mineral flavors complete the spectrum. There's tension between its elegance and punch, with density and vivid acidity driving the terrific aftertaste. Best from 2028 through 2046." Bruce Sanderson |
March 20, 2025 |
| 2020 Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | James Suckling | 94 pts |
Restrained, licorice-soaked cherries and raspberries, together with rose and violet nuances. There is depth and intensity here. Soft attack with refined, velvety tannins, moderate but refreshing acidity and full to medium body with a chewy but supple finish. Almost ready to drink, with potential for aging. Try from 2025. |
November 21, 2024 |
| 2019 Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | Wine Enthusiast | 94 pts | June 17, 2024 | |
| 2019 Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | Wine Spectator | 95 pts |
Textbook Sangiovese flavors of cherry, iron and sanguine add hints of menthol and tar to the mix in this sleek, tightly wound version. Pointed tannins leave their mark on the finish, but not before this plays out with intensity and vigor. Best from 2027 through 2043. |
March 28, 2024 |
| 2019 Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | James Suckling | 95 pts |
Lovely berry and cherry character with ash undertones on the nose. Medium body, fine tannins and pretty energy at the end. Hints of citrusy undertones here. Shows finesse, focus and beauty. Drinkable now, but better in a few years. |
September 26, 2023 |
| 2018 Castello Banfi Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | Wine Enthusiast | 93 pts |
The nose blends sweet and savory, as notes of cherries, blackberries and vanilla sing above a treacly smear of soil, tar and balsamic vinegar. On the palate, the cherries grow sour and, along with a splash of blood orange pith, bring out the blackberries' tartness. Acidity and spice coil around tight tannins. |
September 12, 2023 |
| 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Marrucheto DOCG | Wine Spectator | 96 pts |
An intense red, with blackberry, black currant, wet hay, leather, earth and iron aromas and flavors piercing the athletic structure. Almost delicate, with a dense matrix of tannins for support. Features fine energy and length. |
April 6, 2023 |
| 2018 Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | Wine Advocate | 94 pts |
Now in its proverbial third leaf (or the third vintage made), the Castello Banfi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Marrucheto is a wine of rich concentration and dark fruit nuances. The bouquet is tight and powerful with all kinds of black cherry and wild currant aromas. The balance is good and so is the intensity of the primary fruit. Only the strong 15% alcohol content is out of place. This is a solid Brunello that will appeal to those who love the richer and more saturated side of Sangiovese. There is some sour cherry on the close, and the tannins would benefit from a few more years in the bottle. |
March 14, 2023 |
| 2018 Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | James Suckling | 95 pts |
Cranberries, crushed raspberries, bark, tobacco leaf, hazelnuts and lemons on the nose. Expressive, fresh and savory on the palate, with bright acidity and tight, firm tannins. I like the tangy energy at the end. Try in 2024. |
December 15, 2022 |
| 2017 Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | Wine Enthusiast | 90 pts |
Aromas of fragrant blue flowers, baked plum and mocha shape the nose. Bold and brawny, the full-bodied palate offers prune, dried cherry, licorice and the heat of evident alcohol alongside close-grained, drying tannins. Give the tannins another year or two, then drink sooner rather than later. |
January 27, 2022 |
| 2017 Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | James Suckling | 94 pts |
Very pretty blue fruits with crushed stone and bark as well as pine needle undertones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with firm and velvety tannins with a dusty texture. Very long and fresh with brightness and focus. Better after 2023 but already attractive and fresh for the vintage. |
January 10, 2022 |
| Wine Enthusiast |