Castello Banfi 2020 Summus Sant'Antimo 750ml

Summus is Castello Banfi's own ambitious statement within the Sant'Antimo DOC — a genuinely deliberate blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, grown on the estate's varied soils, from sandy clay sediments rich in pebbles to calcareous clay that retains humidity well. The vines are trained using the Banfi alberello system at a density of 4,200 vines per hectare, capped at 60 quintals per hectare yield — genuinely careful viticulture built specifically to concentrate quality in the fruit. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled hybrid French oak and stainless-steel tanks, held at 25-30°C, before further aging in barrique.

The 2020 vintage arrives in Banfi's own distinctive presentation — a black label with a metal label appliqué — and the critical reception has been genuinely outstanding across three of the wine world's most respected publications. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded 94 Points, while Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast each scored the wine 93 Points, a genuinely consistent sweep in the low-to-mid 90s. Wine.com's own detailed tasting found "an elegant bouquet and soft fruit flavors, blackberry, baked plum and sweet spice," noting "the tannins are resolved, and the wine shows lots of supple layering," describing the wine as "ready to drink now with an accessible personality." A separate professional tasting of the same vintage found "a deep well of cherry, plum, boysenberry, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors" highlighting "this complex red," noting the wine is "beginning to reveal tertiary elements of truffle and woodsy underbrush, while lively acidity drives the excellent finish."

Castello Banfi's own official tasting notes describe the wine as "characterized by varietal aroma," with "intense fruit hints" accompanied "by notes of jam, spices, coffee and tobacco," the structure "large and elegant" with "sweet tannins." For genuine house-style context across recent vintages, Banfi's own Reviews page describes Summus generally as showing "black currant, blackberry, violet and Mediterranean herb flavors," a red that's "dense yet remains expressive," firming "up on the finish," with 7,500 cases made and 2,400 imported to the US in a typical release. This is genuinely serious, complex Tuscan wine — real structure and depth from one of the region's most internationally recognized estates, now backed by a genuinely impressive sweep of critical scores.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Castello Banfi Summus Sant'Antimo 2020 is produced by Castello Banfi, made from a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, sourced from the estate's varied Sant'Antimo DOC vineyards near Montalcino, Tuscany. Soils range from sandy clay sediments with abundant pebbles and well-draining character to calcareous clay soils that retain more humidity. Vines are trained using the Banfi alberello system at a density of 4,200 vines per hectare, with yields capped at 60 quintals per hectare.

Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled hybrid French oak and stainless-steel tanks at 25-30°C, followed by further aging in barrique. The 2020 vintage is presented in Banfi's distinctive black label with a metal label appliqué.

Critics Reviews

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate — 94 Points: "A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the Castello Banfi 2020 SummuS comes with a black label and a metal label appliqué. That fancy packaging leads to an elegant bouquet and soft fruit flavors, blackberry, baked plum and sweet spice. The tannins are resolved, and the wine shows lots of supple layering."

Wine Spectator — 93 Points: "A deep well of cherry, plum, boysenberry, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors highlights this complex red. Beginning to reveal tertiary elements of truffle and woodsy underbrush, while lively acidity drives the excellent finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah."

Wine Enthusiast — 93 Points: "Rich and layered on the nose with vanilla bean and dark fruit, then earth and pepper. Berries and vanilla-chocolate swirl on the palate enveloped by silky, supple tannins."

Castello Banfi (official tasting note, 2020 vintage):
"Wine characterized by varietal aroma; the intense fruit hints are accompanied by notes of jam, spices, coffee and tobacco. Large and elegant structure with exponent and sweet tannins."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Elegant, with blackberry, baked plum, and sweet spice leading, joined by cherry, boysenberry, and tobacco, alongside jam, coffee, and iron.

Palate
Complex and deep, with resolved tannins carrying supple layers of dark fruit, developing tertiary truffle and woodsy underbrush character, balanced by lively acidity.

Finish
Excellent and lingering, closing with genuine elegance and structure — accessible now, with real depth beneath its supple, approachable texture.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Red meat and stews
• Hearty pasta dishes
• Aged cheeses
• Braised or roasted game