Castello Banfi Named Winery of the Year at 2018 Sommelier Challenge

Banfi wines were bestowed a flurry of medals at the 2018 Sommelier Challenge, led by the Platinum Award-winning 2013 Poggio Alle Mura Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG, which earned the highest score rating of the event — 98 points — and was named “Best Brunello,” “Best Red Wine, Imported,” and “Wine of the Year.” The competition’s executive director Robert Whitley named it as one of his “Magnificent 7” of the event in his wine column summarizing highlights from the competition.

In the article he states:

I made note of more than 30 of the biggest winners and have chosen seven, a magnificent seven, to feature this week. These wines are a diverse group in terms of origin and price, but there is a common denominator that ties them all together: stunning quality.

Castello Banfi 2013 Brunello di Montalcino ‘Poggio Alle Mura,’ Tuscany, Italy ($100) — The 2013 vintage was a banner year for Castello Banfi. Its flagship Brunello di Montalcino made an impressive showing at the 2018 Critics Challenge, where it was named imported wine of the year. Its 2013 cru Brunello, Poggio Alle Mura, produced from vines planted close by and around the medieval Banfi castle, is equally good, if not better. This is a suave Brunello that exhibits fine tannins, deep notes of cherry and plum, and just a hint of wood spice despite two years in French oak. And at $100 a bottle, it could well be underpriced! Rating: 98

Additionally, Castello Banfi was named “Winery of the Year, Imported,” by the judging panel.

Judges for the 10th annual competition were sommeliers from some of most celebrated restaurants across the nation, using their keen knowledge to evaluate over 1100 wines. While the diversity among the wines is always a common factor, the scores reflect quality and distinction. Numerous selections were recognized for superiority from the Banfi portfolio. In total, Banfi Vintners wines were awarded 7 Platinums, 7 Golds, and 17 Silvers.

Here is a list of the Best in Show winners from the Banfi Vintners portfolio:

Winery of the Year, Imported
Castello Banfi, Montalcino, Italy

Wine of the Year, Imported
Castello Banfi 2013 Poggio Alle Mura, Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG

Best Red Wine
Castello Banfi 2013 Poggio Alle Mura, Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG

Best Dessert Wine
Banfi 2017 Rosa Regale, Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG

Best Amarone
Sartori 2010 Corte Bra, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG

Best Brunello
Castello Banfi 2013 Poggio Alle Mura, Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG

Best Chianti
Banfi 2013 Fonte Alla Selva, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG

Best Pinot Grigio
Love Story 2017 Pinot Grigio, Delle Venezie IGT

The complete list below:

Banfi

2013 Poggio Alle Mura   Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Platinum 98 points

2013 Brunello di Montalcino   Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Platinum 97 points

2013 Fonte Alla Selva Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG Platinum 94 points

2017 Rosa Regale Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG  Platinum 94 points

2015 Fonte Alla Selva Chianti Classico Chianti Classico DOCG  Gold 92 points

NV Via Rosa Piemonte DOC Gold 92 points

2014 Chianti Classico Riserva Chianti Classico DOCG Gold 90 points

2017 San Angelo Pinot Grigio Toscana IGT Gold 90 points

2015 ASKA Rosso Bolgheri DOC Silver

2014 Cum Laude Toscana IGT Silver

2014 Cuvee Aurora Rose Alta Langa DOCG Silver

2017 La Pettegola Vermentino Toscana IGT Silver

2016 Rosso di Montalcino Rosso di Montalcino DOC Silver

2016 Stil Novo Governo All’Uso Toscano Toscana IGT Silver

2014 SummuS Toscana IGT Silver

Bell’Agio

NV Rose Dolce Emilia IGT Silver

NV Rosso Dolce Emilia IGT Silver

Bolla

2013 Amarone Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Platinum 94 points

2015 Creso Verona IGT Silver

I Saltari

2010 Valpolicella Superiore Valpolicella Superiore DOC Silver

Love Story

2017 Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT Platinum 94 points 

Maschio

NV Prosecco Extra Dry Prosecco DOC Gold 90 points

NV Sparkling Rose Italy Gold 90 points

2017 Dei Cavalieri Prosecco   Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Silver

Pacific Rim

2016 Riesling Wallula Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills Gold 93 points

2017 Sweet Riesling Columbia Valley Silver

Rainstorm

2017 Pinot Gris Oregon Silver
2016 Pinot Noir Oregon Silver

Sartori

2010 Corte Bra Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Platinum 95 points
2013 L’Appassione delle Venezie IGT Silver

Unparalleled

2016 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Silver

The post Castello Banfi Named Winery of the Year at 2018 Sommelier Challenge appeared first on Banfi Blog.