In the glass
Aroma: black cherry, graphite, sweet pepper, violet
Palate: dark plum, iron, polished oak, sweet spice
Banfi's Super Tuscan Sangiovese-Cabernet-Syrah blend bottled under the Sant'Antimo DOC.
What it pairs with
-
Lamb chops with rosemary
Syrah's pepper-and-herb register meets lamb. -
Bistecca alla fiorentina
Find bistecca alla fiorentina on TableJourney →
Bordeaux-blend weight handles a T-bone. -
Aged hard cheese with truffle honey
Sweet umami matches the wine's spice.
How to serve Banfi Summus
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Lamb chops with rosemary, Bistecca alla fiorentina, Aged hard cheese with truffle honey. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Summus debuted in 1985 as Banfi's flagship Super Tuscan, blending Sangiovese with Cabernet and Syrah under the Sant'Antimo DOC.
- 1985 — First vintage of Summus
Facts
- Producer
- Castello Banfi
- Grapes
- Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Syrah (20%)
- Classification
- Sant'Antimo DOC
- Oak
- 20 months in French oak barriques
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 40 to 60 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1985
Scores
- Wine Advocate 93 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Banfi Summus
What does Banfi Summus taste like?
On the nose, black cherry, graphite, sweet pepper, violet. On the palate, dark plum, iron, polished oak, sweet spice. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Banfi's Super Tuscan Sangiovese-Cabernet-Syrah blend bottled under the Sant'Antimo DOC.
When should I drink Banfi Summus?
Drink 5 to 15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Banfi Summus?
Lamb chops with rosemary is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Bistecca alla fiorentina and Aged hard cheese with truffle honey. Syrah's pepper-and-herb register meets lamb.
What grapes are in Banfi Summus?
The blend is Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Syrah (20%). The wine is classified as Sant'Antimo DOC.