Castello Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino Sangiovese
Sangiovese · Tuscany
$58.99
Showing image 1 of 1: Banfi Excelsus 750 Ml front bottle
Castello Banfi Excelsus Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend
Castello Banfi · Tuscany · Italy
$59.99
1
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Why it’s a great value
It carries a verified 96-point score from Wine Enthusiast.
Taste profile
SweetnessDry → Sweet
BodyLight → Full
Acidity*Soft → Bright
Tannin*Silky → Grippy
Oak*None → Bold
Fruit*Subtle → Intense
* WineDiscounts editorial estimate based on verified tasting notes.
What it tastes like
A plush but structured Super Tuscan: cassis, plum and black cherry wrapped in cedar, tobacco, coffee and licorice.
You’ll like this if…
Choose this if you enjoy Bordeaux-style blends, Napa Meritage, Bolgheri reds or polished Cabernet/Merlot blends with Tuscan freshness.
Why buy it
It offers the concentration and age-worthy frame of a premium Montalcino-area Super Tuscan without being limited to Sangiovese.
Best for
A serious red for steak, braises, aged cheeses or gifting to someone who likes cellar-capable Italian reds.
Style
Full-bodied, dry, structured and oak-aged, with ripe dark fruit and savory Tuscan notes.
Drinks like
Bolgheri Rosso, Bordeaux red blend, Napa Meritage, Cabernet-Merlot Super Tuscan
Experience level
Best for shoppers who enjoy full-bodied reds and do not mind firm tannins or oak complexity.
Flavor notes
Pairs well with
grilled ribeye or bistecca alla fiorentina · braised beef stew with olives · aged pecorino toscano or parmigiano-reggiano · wild boar ragu over pappardelle
Serving & enjoying
- Serving temperature:
- 60-65°F (16-18°C)
- Decanting:
- Decant 30-60 minutes, especially for a younger current release.
- Glassware:
- Large Bordeaux or universal red wine glass.
- Drink or cellar:
- Current release is suitable for near-term drinking with air and has long-aging potential.
- After opening:
- Best the day opened; re-cork and refrigerate leftovers for 1-2 days.
Guidance partly estimated by WineDiscounts from the wine’s style.
About this wine
Castello Banfi ExcelsuS is a structured Super Tuscan from the Montalcino area, blending Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for cassis, ripe dark fruit, licorice, tobacco, coffee and polished oak spice. Full-bodied and built for red meats, aged cheeses and cellar-worthy occasions.
Wine details
- Type
- red
- Varietal
- Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend
- Grapes
- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Producer
- Castello Banfi
- Country
- Italy
- Region
- Tuscany
- Appellation
- Toscana IGT
- Bottle size
- 750 Ml
Details last verified September 24, 2026
Winemaking details ›
- Vineyard source:
- Montalcino, Southern Tuscany; calcareous and stony soils with clay sediments, pebbles and limestone/sandstone stones.
- Vessel:
- Temperature-controlled hybrid French oak and stainless-steel Horizon tanks.
About the winery · Castello Banfi ›
Banfi was founded in New York in 1919 and remains Mariani family-owned. Castello Banfi, the family's Montalcino estate, was founded in 1978 and is described by Banfi as the jewel of its portfolio. The estate is known for Brunello di Montalcino, Super Tuscan wines and research-driven winemaking in southern Tuscany. Banfi USA states that Castello Banfi has Equalitas sustainability certification and international recognition for environmental, ethical and social responsibility.
Critic reviews
96/100Wine Enthusiast
“A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with botanical herb, berry, blue flower, spice, raspberry, black cherry, tobacco and licorice notes.”
94/100JamesSuckling.com
“Black currants, plum skins, toasted spices, cedar, nut shell, firm tannins, dark fruit and a long linear finish.”
93/100Wine Spectator
“Black currant, black cherry and blackberry fruit with iron, tobacco and spice notes; Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.”
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Castello Banfi Excelsus Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend dry or sweet?
- Castello Banfi Excelsus Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend is bone dry — its sweetness rating is 1 on our 1 (bone dry) to 5 (sweet) scale. It is full-bodied.
- What does Castello Banfi Excelsus Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend taste like?
- A plush but structured Super Tuscan: cassis, plum and black cherry wrapped in cedar, tobacco, coffee and licorice.
- What food pairs with Castello Banfi Excelsus Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend?
- It pairs well with Grilled ribeye or bistecca alla Fiorentina, Braised beef stew with olives, Aged Pecorino Toscano or Parmigiano-Reggiano and Wild boar ragu over pappardelle.
- How should I serve Castello Banfi Excelsus Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend?
- Serve at 60-65°F (16-18°C). Decant 30-60 minutes, especially for a younger current release. Glass: Large Bordeaux or universal red wine glass.
- Is Castello Banfi Excelsus Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend a good value?
- At $59.99 it carries a verified 96-point score from Wine Enthusiast; the review is shown on this page.
- What is the bottle size and alcohol content of Castello Banfi Excelsus Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend?
- 750 ml bottle.