2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
Mandrielle 2005
The cool, spicy middle gives this definition, a focal point for the flavors of black currant and cassis and minerally tannins. It finishes clean and full; a juicy red for steak. Year's Best Tuscan Red. 90 Points
Wine & Spirits - April, 2009
Mandrielle 2004
The cool, spicy middle gives this wine definition, a focal point for the black currant and cassis flavors and minerally tannins. It finished clean and full; a juicy red for steak. 90 Points
Wine and Spirits - December, 2008
Mandrielle 2003
"Twelve months of aging in French oak help shape inviting aromas of red berry, sweet spice bread, slate roof and forest floor. The toasted tones are pronounced and add to this Merlot’s overall richness and flavor. An easy match to most meat dishes."
Wine Enthusiast - April, 2007
"Red wines from the torrid 2003 summer in Europe are either terrific or marred by over-extraction and bitter tannins. Banfi's Merlot is an example of the former. I suspect this Merlot shows well because the vines are planted on water-retaining clay, which mitigated the stress of the dry heat of the 2003 growing season. It has richness and real class with minerality and slight earthiness. The fine tannins add good structure without bitterness."
Michael Apstein - WineReviewOnline.com - December, 2006
Mandrielle 2002
"Soft on the bouquet, with an undeniable green, lightly pickled quality. That holds true on the palate, where green notes infuse darker, riper blackberry and black plum flavors."
Wine Enthusiast - September, 2006
Mandrielle 2001
Reserved scents of blackberry, oak and dust. Tart flavors of plum and orange zest. Wood dominates the close
Wine News - October, 2005
"An interesting Merlot where one can see the impact of the Italian heat and sun on this varietal - - riper and more jammy that should please many folk. Tobacco notes along with jammy berry on the nose that are carried over in the palate upon tasting enough structure to hold up for a number of years but I'll enjoy this one young." Wine of the Week
Bill Van Ollefen - The Advocate - September, 2005
Plenty of currants and minerals on the nose follow through to a full-bodied palate, with very refined tannins and a medium finish. A lovely, youthful red. Best after 2006
Wine Spectator - October, 2004
Mandrielle 2000
"Made from 100 percent Merlot. Nose of ripe plums, sweet cherries. Fruity sweet on the tongue. Drink now."
Frank and Kate Sutherland - Journal And Courier - March, 2006
"This is a Merlot; it's cherry ruby with black highlights and bright cherry rim fading to white. The bouquet is bright, with tart cherry fruit that mingles with some black currant, and slight citric overtones; there are also hints of bramble, and slight sea salt. On the palate it's medium bodied and quite round, with fairly rich cherry black currant fruit that has slight sweet plum overtones and is supported by tannins that though smooth and sweet do have vigorous cedar overtones that provide direction, and lead into a clean sweet cherry finish that gains definition from unexpected sour cherry overtones. It's direct, but pleasant in an up-front tomboyish sort of way, and will work nicely with lesser grilled meats—an elegant burger sprinkled with truffles comes to mind, as does chicken liberally salted and peppered, and grilled with its skin on. I would drink it now, because its freshness is nice."
Kyle Phillips - Italian Wine Review - January, 2004
"Pretty floral and berry character, with hints of rose. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a slightly austere finish. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes."
Wine Spectator - October, 2003
Mandrielle 1999
"This medium- to full-bodied, moderately tannic and already silky smooth wine offers appealing aromas and flavors of black fruit and cassis as well as generous hints of mocha and herbs. Drinking well now but will be best from 2003-2006."
Daniel Rogov - Ha'Aretz Daily - November, 2002
"Few places in the world produce Merlot as good as those to be found in Tuscany. This new vintage from Banfi has superb fruit concentration, plump flesh and fine, sweet tannins. The layered fruit complexity and outstanding mouthfeel make this one of the finest Merlots to date from the Castello Banfi estate in Montalcino. Very Good."
Robert Whitley - Copley News Service - April, 2002
Mandrielle 1998
"One of the best-known Tuscan estates, Banfi has always portrayed an image both of elegance and strength. From the easy to drink Col-di-Sasso to the mega Brunello di Montalcinos, Banfi wines will always please the palate. Their seductive Super Tuscan Mandrielle uses the Merlot grape that is perhaps one of the most pleasurable red grapes out there. A deep red with purple hues, Mandrielle’s bouquet is fresh and fruity with aromas of plum and blackcurrant. And what a food wine this is! Delicious with an extraordinary range of dishes, including pasta, poultry, veal, red meats, and cheeses."
William Bincoletto - The Edmonton (AB) Sun - March, 2004
"Interesting aromas of berries and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a chocolate and smoke aftertaste."
Wine Spectator - November, 2001
Mandrielle 1997
"Deep garnet hue. Perfumed, spicy aromas carry a prominent oak accent. A firm entry leads to a drying, medium-bodied palate with grippy tannins. Ripe and balanced with a lingering, spicy, cool climate Merlot finish."
Beverage Testing Institute - October, 2001
"...filled with the plumes of fruitiness that make this grape so intoxicating when it hits right on. The high-toned scents of plums edge on perfume, smoky, dynamic, soaring out of the ballpark. There's no resistance, nothing serious to weight it down, just cushions of ripe, delicious fruit in which to nestle."
Wine & Spirits - October, 2000
"Talk about French influence? This gorgeously seductive Merlot could easily pass for a Grand Cru Classe St. Emilion, save that it's priced about a third less than comparable French wine. Aged for 12 months in French barriques, this wine has a deep red/purple robe, with an exotic bouquet of cherries, violets and a hint of truffles. The complex, layered palate shows the lush, 'sweet' fruit and tannins of the great 1997 Tuscan vintage. This could age well, but it's just too good to resist drinking now. If you want to impress your guests without breaking the bank, this is it."
Ben Giliberti - WashingtonPost.com - September, 2000
"Another special occasion wine, this single-vineyard, estate-bottled red from Tuscany is medium-bodied, with layers of subtle red fruit flavors. Elegant and lean..."
Sally Belk King - Style Weekly Magazine - July, 2000
Mandrielle 1996
"General Qualities: Full-bodied, complex, dry, balanced acidity, integrated oak, modest tannins. Color: Deep purple. Aromas: Black currant, currant. Flavors: Berry, black currant, currant, raspberry. Other Descriptors: Elegant, ripe, round."
WineToday.com - September, 2000
"Lovely nose of black cherry, blackberry and clove, with pleasing new oak in evidence. Excellent structure and balance, full-bodied, opulent and silky, with lush and ripe black fruit flavors; long, elegant finish. World-class wine."
Santé - June, 2000
"...shows good fruit, with lots of plum and dried herb verging on bell pepper aromas. Medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a fruity finish."
Wine Spectator
"This is 100% Merlot with a big, smoky, maple bacon nose. Soft, round, rich red with that dry Tuscan fingerprint. The finish is balanced, very much in the dry Tuscan version not the opulent California style."
Wine Access - April, 2000
Mandrielle 1995
"Shows good structure for aging. A beautiful Merlot from Tuscany."
Wine Spectator
"Round and generous in the mouth, with powdery tannins through the finish. Drinking beautifully now."
Wine Enthusiast
"Deeply colored with big-fruit flavors on the nose and palate. For the moment, the wine has a dry, tannic Finish but there is enough fruit to support this.
Montreal Gazette
"Deep blackish ruby cast. Medium-bodied. Balanced acidity. Moderately extracted. Mildly oaked. Mildly tannic. Plums, minerals, vanilla. Quite aromatic and extremely fruit centered, with a soft, lush palate feel. Round and generous in the mouth with powdery tannins through the finish. Drinking beautifully now."
Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute) - July, 2000
"Oakey and gamey smells add richness to the berries in the bouquet. Solid tannic structure unobstructed by high acids. Great balance. Try with roasted red meats."
Santé
"Finely drawn varietal character... a pleasure to drink."
Wine & Spirits
Mandrielle 1994
"Mandrielle is truly exceptional."
South Florida Newspaper Group
"Spicy, cherry bouquet...cranberry fruit flavors in a medium body." 88
The Wine News
Mandrielle 1993
"Perfumed aromas lead crisp bright fruit flavors that persist through the finish."
Wine Enthusiast
"A serious red wine... having both depth and breadth" 90
Wine Spectator
Mandrielle 1992
"Silky tannins and ripe fruit finish"
Wine Spectator
Beautifully textured wine" 90
Wine & Spirits
Mandrielle 1991
"Fleshy and luscious" 88
Wine & Spirits
Mandrielle 1990
"A wine true to the highest standards of its type"
Wine & Spirits
Mandrielle Vintage Not Specified
"Since its first release, Mandrielle has consistently scored well in Wine & Spirits' blind tastings...recent releases have all displayed a consistently Bordeaux style, interweaving wood notes with soft merlot fruit and a bass note of earth tones."
Wine & Spirits