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The Banfi Family – A Renaissance in Italian Winemaking Excellence Tuesday, March 25, 2008 Speaker: Philip Di Belardino, Eastern Sales Manager, Fine Wine Ambassador Banfi Vintners Philip Di Belardino discussed the origin and present state of this important 20th Century movement in Italian wine. Super Tuscan is not an official designation of the Italian government, but was created by the British press, which only adds to its fascination. We found out exactly what makes a Super Tuscan, Super! We also learned about the history of Italy and the Banfi property and how and why Banfi wines are all so compelling and wonderful. We tasted 13 wines. Prices are full markup retail price. We asked for one vote for favorite white, three votes for favorite red. Le Rime 2007 was the favorite white. Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino 2000 was the favorite red wine. Cum Laude 2004 placed second red. SummuS 2004 was the third favorite red. Everyone liked both Dessert wines. Rosa Regale 2007 and Florus Moscadello di Montalcino 2005   Flight I: Whites Votes Full Retail Price $ Principessa Perlante 2006 Grapes: 100% Cortese. Pale straw color. The bouquet is fruit, fresh, citrus and apple, crisp, dry and well balanced with a gentle acidity and little effervescence. Serve chilled as a refreshing aperitif, ideal with white meats and seafood. 17 $14.00 Le Rime 2007 Grape Variety : Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. Pale straw color. Fresh with lemon and apple aromas. Dry and well balanced, soft. A splendid aperitif and a delightful complement to pasta, vegetables, fish, veal and poultry dishes. The favorite white of the tasting. 20 $8.00 San Angelo Pinot Grigio 2007 Estate vineyards in the southern part of Montalcino. Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio White gold color. Lots of tropical fruit. Fresh and crisp, very refreshing. 11 $16.00 Flight II: Red Wine Votes Full Retail Price $ Centine 2006 Grape Variety: 60%Sangiovese, 20%Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Aged in barriques of French oak. Intense ruby red color, fragrant with dark fruit aromas. Medium bodied with black cherry and hints of spice taste. 6 $10.99 Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino 2006 Grape Variety: 100% Sangiovese, select clones. Maceration for 7 – 10 days. Aged 1 year, partially in French oak barriques and partially in large Slavonian oak barrels. Additional 6 months of bottle aging. Color Intense ruby red with violet reflectiions. Bouquet : Fresh, fruity, violet, cherry, Silky, soft, balanced. 5 $21.00 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2001 100% Sangiovese, select clones. Aged 4 years including a minimum of two years in oak, part in barriques and part in large casks. Both of French oak- plus bottle ageing before release. Intense ruby red with garnet reflections. Ethereal, violet, vanilla aroma. Full, soft, velvety taste with traces of spice, long finish. Perfect with red meats, wild game and aged cheeses. 17 $62.00 Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino 2000 A cru of select vineyards immediately surrounding the medieval Castello Banfi, in the southern part of Montalcino. Stony, sandy topsoil and calcareous. Grape Variety. 100% Sangiovese. Fermented in stainless steel with the traditional maceration. Aged for a minimum of four years, including at least 24 months in oak (90% in French barriques, and 10% in Slavonian casks) and 24 months bottle ageing before release. Deep ruby red color. Bouquet of violets, sweet ripe red fruits, cigar box and spices. Soft, silky, flavors of blackberry jam, cherries, with a hint of wood. Supple tannins Very long finish. The favorite red wine. 28 $75.00 Flight III: Super Tuscan Votes Full Retail Price $ Tavernelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Grape Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French oak barriques for 14- 18 months. Bottle aging for 12 months. Deep ruby red color. Floral red fruit and cassis aromas, velvey, full bodied with plum and spice and vanilla flavors. 13 $30.00 Colvecchio Syrah 2004 Grape Variety: 100% Syrah. Aged 14 months in French oak. Deep ruby purple color. Berries and spice in nose, plum, cherry and spice in mouth. Long finish. 9 $32.00 Cum Laude 2004 Grape Variety: 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese, 15% Syrah. Each grape is individually vinified and aged for 6- 8 months in French oak barriques. Then the cuvee is made and aged for an additional 6- 8 months. At least 6 months of bottle rest follows. Unfiltered to preserve its unique character. Deep ruby red color. Big dark fruit bouquet, with licorice, black olives and tobacco notes. Full bodied with long finish. Placed second red wine. 27 $35.00 SummuS 2004 40% Sangiovese, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah. The 3 varieties are vinified separately. After alcoholic fermentation, the individual wines are transferred to French oak barriques and aged separately for 12 months. They are then blended and aged in wood for 10- 12 months. Bottle aging follows for 6 months. Deep ruby red, with violet reflections. Floral notes with black fruit and spice. Black cherry, cassis and vanilla notes in palate. The third favorite red. 20 $68.00 Flight IV: Dessert Votes Full Retail Price $ Rosa Regale 2007 100% Brachetto d’Acqui Rocky calcereous soil with tufaceous marl. Fermentaiotn with brief contact with the skins, filtration and storage at 32F, refermtantion in stainless-steel vats, immediately followed by bottling. Festive cranberry color, raspberry, strawberry and rose aromas. Tastes like fresh raspberries with crisp acidity, initial softness ending with a clean and dry finish. Delightful, perfect for any occasion as aperitif and elegant dessert. Pairs well with sea food, cheeses, and cholcolate. All liked. All liked $20.00 Florus Moscadello di Montalcino 2005 100 % Moscadello the grapes remain on the vines late into the season to dry naturally and concentrate their fruit sugars. Pressing is followed by slow fermentation at low temperatures (59F) for several months until 14-15% alcohol content is reached. A small portion of the wine is aged for one year in barriques of French oak and then blended with the balance in stainless steel before bottling and release. Intense golden color. Elegant apricot, honey bouquet. Unctuous taste with dried apricot, raisins and honey flavors. Subtly sweet. Finishes with almond and honey nuances. Delicious. An extraordinary dessert or appetizer. All liked 500 ml $20 Top