1995 Castello Banfi Excelsus Sant'Antimo

A Super Tuscan composed by 60% Merlot, and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the territory of Montalcino. It definitely  can hold its own against most competitive Super Tuscans. It is the premier cuvee of estate wines, produced solely in outstanding vintages. Rich color, complex structure and luscious fruit flavors.

"A fabulous Cabernet-Merlot vino da tavola from Banfi's Montalcino vineyards. It takes about an hour to open up, but once it does, wow, it's all there. Deep, cool, and delicious at the core, this really shows a new-world friendliness; it's extremely easy to drink, with its sweet blackberry and plummy character. Hedonistic stuff, and more or less ready now." - 93/100, Wine Enthusiast

“Super Tuscan” is a term used to describe red wines from Tuscany that may include non-indigenous grapes, particularly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. The creation of super Tuscan wines resulted from the frustration winemakers had towards a slow bureaucracy in changing Italy’s wine law during the 1970s. Winemakers began mixing ‘unsanctioned’ wine varieties (like Merlot) into their blends to make high-quality wines. The legal system eventually yielded in 1992 with the creation of IGT, a new designation that gave winemakers the ability to be more creative.

Castello Banfi was founded in Tuscany in 1978 by Italian-American brothers John and Harry Mariani. It had its origins in their father's business, Banfi Vintners, which was founded in 1919 and was America's leading Italian wine importer at the time. Today, Castello Banfi has vineyards throughout the northwest coast of Italy, from Piedmont, to Chianti Classico, Bolgheri and Montalcino.  The estate encompasses 2870 hectares (7100 acres) of land, with about a third under vine. Banfi produces wines from international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, as well as indigenous Italian grapes such as Sangiovese, Vermentino and Dolcetto. The majority of these wines see some time aging in oak – anywhere from a few months to 30 months for the estate's Brunello de Montalcino.  The portfolio of Castello Banfi is broad, covering slighty effervescent Cortese de Gavi from Piedmont, to muscular and bold Super Tuscans made from Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends in Montalcino.