Tasting notes:

Banfi, founded by the Mariani family from Montalcino in 1978, has ever since been considered in the top tier of Tuscan wines. This single vineyard wine expresses the ancient clay, silt and sand soils brilliantly. Medium garnet-coloured, the wine has dried cranberry and cherry fruit with accents of dried herbs, earth and violets. Dry but juicy, the intense palate flavours are supported by linen tannins and vibrant acidity. Plenty of spice (allspice, mace and cardamom) adds complexity. A fantastic wine to serve with braised rabbit in a mustard-onion-sour cream sauce. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]