一支成熟、結構分明的 Brunello：煙草、甘草與成熟黑櫻桃的年代感。
【為什麼選它？】
1) 酒莊底蘊 -> Castello Banfi 山坡田地、細緻栽培，出酒有延展力與陳年感。
2) 法國橡木陳釀 -> 兩年大橡木與小桶組合，帶來香料與烘烤感但不蓋果味。
3) 可即飲的陳年風貌 -> 1997 年份已現皮革、菸草等複雜層次，適合慢食慢品。
【侍酒師私房筆記】開瓶先等 45 分鐘醒酒，可去沉澱也讓陳年香慢慢散出。入口先是成熟黑果的深邃餘韻，隨即被乾性香料、甘草和微微雪松木包裹。單寧結實但不粗糙，酸度支撐整體，收結偏向乾爽帶鹹香，好像冬夜裡的一鍋紅酒燉牛尾。
【田地與釀造】酒莊山坡葡萄園土質複雜：海相沖積的黏土砂、帶石灰的深壤土與保水的灰藍黏土。採 spurred cordon 低矮栽培，產量控制適中。溫控發酵（27–29°C），以法國橡木桶與不鏽鋼混合，之後 2 年法國橡木熟成（大桶與 350L 小桶混搭）。
【場景化配餐指南】適合週末家常慢煮：牛尾燉飯、手工扁麵配肉醬、或炭燒鹿肉；與老式芝士並列也很搭，適合想溫度與故事的晚餐時刻。
【降維打擊對比】比起同價位的現代風大牌，這瓶呈現成熟陳年魅力與經典架構，價格更親民，適合想找『有陳年故事但不想花天價』的買家。
A mature, structured Brunello showing dried cherry, tobacco and cedar—powerful yet poised.
【Why choose it?】
1) Estate pedigree -> Decades of hillside farming give a wine with depth and longevity you can taste.
2) Oak-crafted structure -> Two years in French oak brings smoky, toasty layers that age gracefully.
3) Ready-to-enjoy complexity -> Mature 1997 development: leathery, savory tones perfect for slow meals.
【Winemaker & Vineyard Notes】From Castello Banfi’s hill vineyards with calcareous and clay-sand soils, vines are trained low (spurred cordon) at moderate density. Fermented in temperature-controlled Horizon tanks (27–29°C) in a mix of hybrid French oak and stainless steel, then matured about two years in French oak (large casks and some barriques). Ownership under Cristina Mariani‑May emphasizes careful extraction and classic Brunello structure.
【Sommelier’s Private Notes】On the nose: tobacco leaf, licorice and black cherry compote under whispering cedar. Palate: concentrated, slightly rustic fruit framed by firm, well-integrated tannins and persistent savory echoes—leaning toward earthy, smoky resolution rather than overt fruit sweetness. Best served slightly below room temperature after a 45‑minute decant to lift tertiary aromas and soften oak tones.
【Occasion / Pairing】Ideal for a Hong Kong weekend dinner: rich braised oxtail, slow-cooked ragu on fresh pasta, or grilled venison with root vegetables. Also excellent with mature hard cheeses for an intimate tasting night.
【Competitive Edge】Compared with much younger, heavily oaked names, this vintage delivers matured tertiary complexity at a strong value — classic Brunello pedigree without the ultra-premium markup.
Castello Banfi 是托斯卡納的指標酒莊，Cristina Mariani‑May 世代經營，兼具現代栽培與傳統 Brunello 工藝。山坡葡萄園、嚴格分級與橡木熟成，是他們追求穩定品質與陳年力道的核心。
Castello Banfi is a leading Tuscan estate known for modern viticulture and traditional Brunello craftsmanship. Under Cristina Mariani‑May the estate combines hillside vineyard selection, careful yield control and oak maturation to produce wines that balance concentration with classic ageing potential.
