Castello Banfi Excelsus Toscana IGT 2018 – powerful and elegant Super Tuscan

Castello Banfi Excelsus Toscana IGT 2018 is an impressive Super Tuscan from the famous Castello Banfi in the heart of Tuscany. The wine combines international elegance with Italian character and is made from carefully selected grapes from Banfi’s best vineyards around Montalcino. The result is a wine with great depth, complexity and ageing potential.

Excelsus is composed of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The combination produces a wine with soft fruit, structure and intensity. Merlot contributes roundness and ripe fruit, while Cabernet Sauvignon adds backbone, tannin and a classic spicy character.

After fermentation, the wine is aged for around 18 months in French oak barrels. Here it develops its deep structure and complex aromas. After barrel aging, the wine rests further in stainless steel tanks where it is allowed to settle and achieve the harmonious balance that characterizes Excelsus.

The 2018 vintage shows a great balance between power and elegance. It is a wine that can be enjoyed now after a little oxygenation in the glass, but also has the potential to develop further in the cellar for many years.

Tasting notes

The nose opens with intense notes of dark berries, blackcurrants and ripe plums. This is followed by elegant nuances of cocoa, tobacco, cedar and spices. The taste is rich and well-structured with ripe tannins and a nice balance between fruit and barrel. The finish is long and elegant with lingering notes of dark fruit and spice.

This Supertoscaner goes perfectly with beef, game, grilled dishes, lamb and aged cheeses. Serve it at 16-18°C and let it oxygenate a little before serving to bring out all the nuances.

The history of the house

Castello Banfi is one of Tuscany’s most recognized wineries and is located in the area around Montalcino. The house was founded with the ambition to combine modern technology with the proud wine traditions of the area.

Banfi is best known for its elegant Brunello wines, but also produces some of the region’s most exciting Supertuscans. With a focus on quality in the vineyard, sustainability and precision in the cellar, Castello Banfi creates wines with character, depth and international recognition.

Product data

• Producer: Castello Banfi
• Wine: Excelsus
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Vintage: 2018
• Grapes: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Barrel aging: Approx. 18 months in French oak barrels
• Post-aging: Stainless steel tanks
• Region: Tuscany
• Country: Italy
• Serving temperature: 16-18°C
• Quantity: 75 cl
• Contains: Sulfites
• Alcohol content: 14%