Reviews
Fresh and vivid nose of cherries, spices and dried citrus peel. Medium-bodied, tense and lightly chewy, yet lively and refreshing with crunchy tannins. Juicy, with subtle floral and citrusy character at the end. Drink now or hold.
Tightly knit and supple, delivering black currant, blackberry, violet and graphite aromas and flavors. This harmonious red shows a well-integrated structure, with terrific energy and length. Though approachable now, this should really hit its stride in a year or two. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Drink now through 2040.
Aromas of dark berries, dried herbs, pine wood and spice box on offer. Full and dense with taut, slightly chewy tannins. Structured and layered with a freshness to the fruit and a linear finish. Sustainable.
Both elegant and intense, this red features pure black currant, blackberry, olive paste, cedar, iron and a hint of anise aromas and flavors. Balanced and vibrant, with excellent staying power on the fruit- and mineral-laced aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Drink now through 2030.
A medium-bodied red, offering blackcurrants and crushed stones with some cassis-bush and mint undertones. Creamy and firm, with a bright, racy finish. Drink or hold.
Saturated with black currant and blackberry flavors, this red also reveals, bell pepper, eucalyptus, iron and tobacco notes. Dense tannins hold court on the finish, while the fruit, savory and mineral elements linger. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Best from 2024-2037. -B.S.
A rich and smooth red with currant, cherry and berry character, showing the ripeness of the vintage. But the palate is smooth and round with a full body and ripe tannins. Very drinkable now, but better in a year or two.
Sleek and balanced, setting the stage for black cherry, blueberry, iron and tobacco notes, this is firm, lean almost, with refined tannins and a lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Drink now through 2028.
Aromas of berries, currants and flowers follow through to a full body with round, soft tannins and a fruity finish. Remains fresh, nicely herbal and balanced throughout. Better in a year or two, but already really attractive. Drink or hold.
A fruity style that's beginning to mellow, with black currant, floral, woodsy, mushroom, iron and spice flavors. Juicy and focused, offering refined tannins and terrific harmony. The lingering finish is persistent, maintaining the fruit character. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Drink now through 2035.
Aromas of black-skinned berry, sandalwood and mocha shape the nose on this medium-bodied red. A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, the savory palate offers dried black cherry, tobacco and espresso alongside polished tannins.
The currant, violet and berry aromas come through clearly here. Full-bodied, layered and rich with plenty of ripe tannins and a flavorful finish.
A dense, chunky style, this boasts black cherry, black currant, wild herb and iron flavors. Remains firm and compact from start to finish, yet shows balance within that profile. Decant now. Should be better after another year in bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Best from 2021 through 2036.
Brambleberries, lemon rind and mint. Medium body, very fresh acidity and a fruity finish. Drink now.
A blend consisting of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese, 15% Syrah, this has aromas of black currant, pipe tobacco and a whiff of purple flower. Vibrant and elegant, the medium-bodied palate offers succulent blackberry, crunchy red cherry, clove and star anise alongside polished, fine-grained tannins.
2016 TEXSOM International Wine Competition Gold Medal
A chewy red with shaved-chocolate, berry and nutmeg character. Full and savory. Lots of fruit. Clean finish. Always an excellent Super Tuscan. A blend of merlot, cabernet and sangiovese. Drink now.
A big and juicy wine, with plums and berries and toasted oak. A little spicy, with cedar and dried fruits aftertaste. Best after 2012. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Syrah.
A delicious red with plum, lemon rind and blackcurrant aromas and flavors. A little austere now but shows a long and characterful finish. Cabernet sauvignon comes through here with purity. Drink now or hold.
Gorgeous aromas of blackberries and spices follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity, spicy finish. Give it three or four years to soften. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Syrah.
This blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah shows a decadently soft side thanks to its aromas of black cherry, tobacco, chocolate and subtle spice. It delivers density and substance on the finish and would pair with pasta and creamy porcini sauce. – M.L. (10/1/2012)
| Review product name | Reviewer | Rating | Review text | Date posted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 92 pts |
Fresh and vivid nose of cherries, spices and dried citrus peel. Medium-bodied, tense and lightly chewy, yet lively and refreshing with crunchy tannins. Juicy, with subtle floral and citrusy character at the end. Drink now or hold. |
August 8, 2024 |
| 2021 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Spectator | 95 pts |
Tightly knit and supple, delivering black currant, blackberry, violet and graphite aromas and flavors. This harmonious red shows a well-integrated structure, with terrific energy and length. Though approachable now, this should really hit its stride in a year or two. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Drink now through 2040. |
June 17, 2024 |
| 2021 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Enthusiast | 94 pts | February 20, 2024 | |
| 2020 Castello Banfi Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Enthusiast | 94 pts | October 4, 2023 | |
| 2020 Castello Banfi Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 93 pts |
Aromas of dark berries, dried herbs, pine wood and spice box on offer. Full and dense with taut, slightly chewy tannins. Structured and layered with a freshness to the fruit and a linear finish. Sustainable. |
September 12, 2023 |
| 2020 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Spectator | 93 pts |
Both elegant and intense, this red features pure black currant, blackberry, olive paste, cedar, iron and a hint of anise aromas and flavors. Balanced and vibrant, with excellent staying power on the fruit- and mineral-laced aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Drink now through 2030. |
June 15, 2023 |
| 2019 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 92 pts |
A medium-bodied red, offering blackcurrants and crushed stones with some cassis-bush and mint undertones. Creamy and firm, with a bright, racy finish. Drink or hold. |
September 30, 2022 |
| 2019 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Spectator | 93 pts |
Saturated with black currant and blackberry flavors, this red also reveals, bell pepper, eucalyptus, iron and tobacco notes. Dense tannins hold court on the finish, while the fruit, savory and mineral elements linger. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Best from 2024-2037. -B.S. |
June 17, 2022 |
| 2017 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 92 pts |
A rich and smooth red with currant, cherry and berry character, showing the ripeness of the vintage. But the palate is smooth and round with a full body and ripe tannins. Very drinkable now, but better in a year or two. |
January 10, 2022 |
| 2017 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Spectator | 92 pts |
Sleek and balanced, setting the stage for black cherry, blueberry, iron and tobacco notes, this is firm, lean almost, with refined tannins and a lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Drink now through 2028. |
October 14, 2021 |
| 2016 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 93 pts |
Aromas of berries, currants and flowers follow through to a full body with round, soft tannins and a fruity finish. Remains fresh, nicely herbal and balanced throughout. Better in a year or two, but already really attractive. Drink or hold. |
August 31, 2020 |
| 2016 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Spectator | 94 pts |
A fruity style that's beginning to mellow, with black currant, floral, woodsy, mushroom, iron and spice flavors. Juicy and focused, offering refined tannins and terrific harmony. The lingering finish is persistent, maintaining the fruit character. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Drink now through 2035. |
August 31, 2020 |
| 2016 Magna Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Enthusiast | 90 pts |
Aromas of black-skinned berry, sandalwood and mocha shape the nose on this medium-bodied red. A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, the savory palate offers dried black cherry, tobacco and espresso alongside polished tannins. |
March 26, 2020 |
| 2015 Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 92 pts |
The currant, violet and berry aromas come through clearly here. Full-bodied, layered and rich with plenty of ripe tannins and a flavorful finish. |
January 30, 2020 |
| 2015 Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Spectator | 92 pts |
A dense, chunky style, this boasts black cherry, black currant, wild herb and iron flavors. Remains firm and compact from start to finish, yet shows balance within that profile. Decant now. Should be better after another year in bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Best from 2021 through 2036. |
January 30, 2020 |
| 2014 Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 91 pts |
Brambleberries, lemon rind and mint. Medium body, very fresh acidity and a fruity finish. Drink now. |
September 13, 2018 |
| 2013 Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Enthusiast | 91 pts |
A blend consisting of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese, 15% Syrah, this has aromas of black currant, pipe tobacco and a whiff of purple flower. Vibrant and elegant, the medium-bodied palate offers succulent blackberry, crunchy red cherry, clove and star anise alongside polished, fine-grained tannins. |
August 15, 2017 |
| 2011 Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Texsom Wine Competition | Gold |
2016 TEXSOM International Wine Competition Gold Medal |
May 9, 2016 |
| 2011 Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 91 pts |
A chewy red with shaved-chocolate, berry and nutmeg character. Full and savory. Lots of fruit. Clean finish. Always an excellent Super Tuscan. A blend of merlot, cabernet and sangiovese. Drink now. |
March 31, 2016 |
| 2008 Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 91 pts |
A big and juicy wine, with plums and berries and toasted oak. A little spicy, with cedar and dried fruits aftertaste. Best after 2012. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Syrah. |
March 31, 2016 |
| 2012 Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 92 pts |
A delicious red with plum, lemon rind and blackcurrant aromas and flavors. A little austere now but shows a long and characterful finish. Cabernet sauvignon comes through here with purity. Drink now or hold. |
March 31, 2016 |
| 2009 Cum Laude Toscana IGT | James Suckling | 92 pts |
Gorgeous aromas of blackberries and spices follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity, spicy finish. Give it three or four years to soften. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Syrah. |
March 31, 2016 |
| 2009 Cum Laude Toscana IGT | Wine Enthusiast | 91 pts |
This blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah shows a decadently soft side thanks to its aromas of black cherry, tobacco, chocolate and subtle spice. It delivers density and substance on the finish and would pair with pasta and creamy porcini sauce. – M.L. (10/1/2012) |
March 8, 2013 |
| Wine Enthusiast |