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San Angelo 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 |
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“In Tuscany, better known for Chianti, Castello Banfi is bottling a Pinot Grigio called San Angelo. The wine is ripe and round, with flavors of citrus, melon and pear, and becomes richer when matched with food.”
"Delightfully balanced to allow for the fruit to show well while exhibiting a level of sophistication not easily found at the price point."
“The aromas of citrus and fruit come across the nose beautifully. Once on the palate, hints of tropical fruits and lemon zest come alive in your mouth. Serve slightly chilled with fish or light pasta dishes.”
"After experiencing the clean, crisp, refreshing of the 2005 Castello Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio I decided that a few bottles needed to go into my wine rack at home. Citrus, pear, banana, peach and tropical fruits can easily be detected in this offering. Fuller than most Pinot Grigio offerings, this wine is closer in styling to the well-made offerings of the Alsace than to the northern Italian styling. Big enough to stand up to veal or chicken this is a nice change of pace from Chardonnay."
"…arguably the best Pinot Grigio made today. Clean and crisp, this exemplary Pinot Grigio is produced from grapes grown on a small vineyard in Tuscany. Indeed, it's the first Pinot Grigio made in that famous winemaking region. I like the Pinot Grigio as an aperitif wine or with shellfish or grilled white fish."
"Extremely fruity nose of pear, tropical fruits and perfume. Nice and crisp in the mouth, with a long finish."
“Creamy, rich and sun-drenched Tuscan fruit always makes this Grigio stand out in a crowd. The differences between this and cooler-climate wines include generous summertime aromas such as yellow rose, ripe melon, tropical fruit, jasmine and a fuller body. But you forego that extra crispness of northern regions.” 87
“This was a pleasant surprise in a batch of Italian white wines we recently tried. Made entirely from Pinot Grigio grapes, it has simple but elegant tropical fruit flavors with crisp acidity. Very nice.”
“Most Pinot Grigio comes from the Veneto or Friuli provinces in the Italian north-east; unusually, this one is from Tuscany, from a top Chianti producer. It's delightfully fresh and dry, with lemon and grapefruit notes, but also an appealing spicy edge.” Wine of the Week
"This was a pleasant surprise in a batch of Italian white wines we recently tried. Made entirely from Pinot Grigio grapes, it has simple but elegant tropical fruit flavors with crisp acidity. Very nice."
“Richer, creamier, more muscular Pinot Grigio, compared to most lean offerings.”
"Perfumed with grapefruit, peach and spiced apple, this pale straw-colored wine opened with a bitter mineral flavor then transitioned into passion fruit, kiwi, grapefruit, cinnamon and caramel. Pungent, crisp and tart in the mouth..." 89
“Most Italian Pinot Grigio is made in the northern part of the peninsula, and consequently a Tuscan version comes as a pleasant surprise. This is a very fresh wine redolent of apple, pear, exotic star fruit and white grapes. The nose is clean as a whistle, and the mouth is spicy and crisp.” 87
"Count me among the shocked with this wine. Tuscany is a great place for Sangiovese, but I am rarely persuaded by its Pinot Grigio. I prefer that grape grown in the colder north. But this is a delightful example of clean Italian Pinot Grigio: pear, a hint of herbs, soft, mellow and a gentle fresh pear finish."
“Has a delightful grassy, herbal, green-apple nose. On the palate there is a difficult to describe fruit mix of flavours with gentle herbal hints that is altogether delightful. Pinot Grigio (or Pinot Gris) from Italy is usually a light, quaffing style wine. This wine, while retaining the flavours of Italian Pinot Gris, manages to do it while also adding richness and finesse.” * * * *
“This superb white wine has lovely aromas of lime, grapefruit, mango and pear leading to refreshingly crisp similar flavors finely balanced by acidity and mineral notes through a generous, yet elegantly dry finish. Try it with either green salad with Gorgonzola cheese or pasta with a cream.” Highly Recommended
“This superb white wine has lovely aromas of lime, grapefruit, mango and pear leading to refreshingly crisp similar flavors finely balanced by acidity and mineral notes through a generous, yet elegantly dry finish. Try it with a green salad with gorgonzola cheese or pasta with a cream sauce.” HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
“This is an utterly delicious style of Pinot Grigio, fresh, plump, fruity-dry. It will please both dry wine drinkers and those who favor a kiss of sweetness as well. Ultimate 'Pool Wine'!”
“Masses of soft, supple white fruit explodes from the glass, making every mouthful as moreish as chocolate. It possesses a vibrant acidity that justifies its price-tag.”
“. . .San Angelo is a memorable example of what is all too often a "style wine." Apple, pear, and melon flavours with a steely acidity that cuts through powerful flavours make this a winner with food.”
“What a delightful surprise! If you’re looking for a great summer sipping wine this one will definitely fill the bill. A super bouquet of floral leading into the taste of tropical ripe fruits and spice. It exhibits medium structure and an easy long finish with hints of early tannins. Serve this wine alone or with steamed crabs.” 91
“. . .This wine felt nice in the mouth with a grassy tropical fruit impression. It is the perfect summertime drink wine. A real treat for those that desire a well-made Pinot Grigio.”
“Aromas of lemon, pear, almond paste, spice and mineral; pure varietal fruit with citrus flavors and light mineral finish; good acidity, easy-drinking.”
“The wine opens with wonderful sweet pear and white peach aromas. The peach component dominates the flavors with a crisp finish. Enjoy with pasta tossed with shellfish.” Recommended - Very Good 85 - 89
"If you are looking for a Pinot Grigio with a little body and texture, this is your ticket. Unlike previous years, Banfi did not use malolactic fermentation this year, so the wine has better acidity than most Pinot Grigios. That's good if you are matching it with food. Expect to find citrus and peach notes with a touch of pear."
"Light, crisp and floral with green apple, pear and light melon. Whitefish. Fully mature, serve now."
"The wine is ripe and round, with flavors of citrus, melon and pear, and becomes richer when matched with food."
"Bright lemon oil and pear aroma, with grapefruit notes. Solid core of citrus-y elements in the mouth with light, elegant tropical fruit. The texture is a bit richer than some Pinot Grigios, but the wine is dry and crisp, and perfect for Thai or Japanese food. There’s actually a bit of tannin here, but the wine is not astringent." Wine of the Week
"This wine offered a multitude of fruits including apple, pear and peach along with some citrus. On the palate it was nice and crisp."
". . .an unconventional wine from an unlikely place that in a sea of Pinot Grigio…stands out. A lot going on here, I wrote in my notes, referring to the wine’s complexity, an essential quality that is lacking in some Pinot Grigios that can be flat and one-dimensional. No worries with the 2003 San Angelo. The tastes range from tart green apple to green pepper, herbs and a hint of smokiness. After all that, citrus, including a lingering touch of orange rind, defines the finish refreshingly. You can see what I mean about the complexity. I liked the wine as an aperitif and think it will match especially well with a simple roasted chicken with herbs, garlic and lemon, or with a vegetarian pasta dish such as sautéed broccoli rabe tossed with garlic and olive oil."
"It is very pale in colour and has a very restrained nose showing a touch of sweet lemon and gooseberries. On the palate, although the wine is not fat, it has rich lemon-apple-gooseberry flavours. It is rather in the style of Sauvignon Blanc but mercifully less aggressive and with none of the vegetal smells and flavours. This wine would match very well with such rich dishes as lobster in garlic butter." 3 1/2
"Floral rose petal nose with orange and lemon peel, white peach, candied fruit cocktail and a bit of grassiness. Very refreshing with nice acidity and balance, lingering finish. Body: Light. Dryness: Dry"
"Body: Light, Dryness: Dry, Comments: Floral rose petal nose with orange and lemon peel, white peach, candied fruit cocktail and a bit of grassiness. Very refreshing with nice acidity and balance, lingering finish."
"...has wonderful citrus flavors of sweet lime and grapefruit."
"Fresh, clean, somewhat herbaceous Pinot Gris with pear, green apple, light grass, mineral and bitter grape-skin flavors that give it a bracing finish. It leaves a little to be desired in ripeness, but it should work fine as an aperitif, with oysters or herbed dishes." * * ½
"A wine can be light-bodied and still can have excellent grip, as this bone-dry Italian white wine shows. Its crisp, lemony, herbal flavors make it a great match for grilled seafood."
"Pale gold hue. Attractive floral scents coupled with ripe melon and a wisp of celery. Flavors of pear, peach and grapefruit. Crisp, bone-dry finish." 87
"Very intense and fresh with apple, honeysuckle, citrus and herb flavors... crisp on the palate with high acids that make it ideal with pasta, white meats, simple veal and seafood dishes. It also is a superb aperitif. "
"Good crisp finish, pear and hay-like flavors with a touch of citrus. For those of you who like your Pinot Grigio, this is a hit to usher in spring."
"Wine buy of the week. This week's wine buy is a Pinot Grigio. It is not characteristic of Pinot. It is by Banfi, a great producer who's getting better all time. This is the 2002 San Angelo bottling and it is great, big, full robust and it hails from Tuscany. (Carol Berman describes the fermentation process of this wine.) It's a white wine and has distinctive lemon peel on the palate. It's a very, very versatile wine."
"This wine is made exclusively from San Angelo vineyard grapes and is 100% Pinot Grigio; the same grape as Pinot Gris but stylistically drier. It is the soft, creamy texture that I love about this white, peachy tasting wine. It is not at all buttery in flavour, despite its fantastic softness. This is lingering, fresh and deliciously peachy, as good Pinot Gris should be."
"A delicious little white, light straw in color, light- to medium-bodied, with not a single complexity but great pleasure in its melon, apple and pear aromas and flavors." 85
"Pale straw, almost clear hue. Complex, Alsace-like aromas of honeysuckle and nutmeg with hints of cantaloupe and pineapple. Spritzy acidity belies full mouth-feel and creamy flavors of peach, honeydew and apple. Tangy, ripe, peach-laced close." 88
"...packed with flavor, ripe and round with orange fruitiness and a lemon-like acidity." 87
"...packed with flavor, ripe and round with orange fruitiness and a lemon-like acidity." 87
"This silvery, golden wine offered seductive aromas of apricot, peach, green apple, lemons and honey. The flavors were similar to the aromas as the panel lavished praise on this well-balanced, complex wine. The wine had a long, smooth finish that suggested honeysuckle." 91
"Produced by one of Italy's well-known names, Castello Banfi, from grapes grown in the warm Tuscan sun of the area around Montalcino, it sports depth and citrus freshness without being too tart or lean." ***+
"Its enticing floral bouquet gives way to tropical flavors, a lingering herbal finish and a citric bite that whets the appetite. A subtle fizz gives the fruit a spring-like freshness."
"...a beautiful example of modern viticulture. Despite the intense heat of summer in the vineyards of southern Montalcino, the San Angelo achieves floral aromatics worthy of any cool-climate white wine. Due to the heat, the San Angelo has developed topical fruit nuances that flesh out the wine and balance the sharpness of the classical citrus characteristics of Pinot Grigio."
"...here is a winner. Great citrus hinting of pineapple and grapefruit. Really crisp and refreshing. I'll cellar this for the hot weather!"
"...gave aromas of tropical fruits and citrus. Banana, coconut, papaya and cream all melded together to form a very good, well-balanced wine. Medium bodied, this is a very well-made offering getting the most out of the grape varietal in the Tuscan style."
"Pale straw in color, with tropical notes in the nose, this Italian white is medium-bodied and nicely balanced."
"A clean and pleasant white, with pear and melon aromas and flavors and a light, creamy undertone. Fresh and crisp." 85
"Light gold hue. Powerful aromas of pine and juniper. Vibrant flavors of lime, lemon and honeydew. Lingering impressions of lime and sweet-tart green apple in the juicy close." 85
"Brilliant straw hue. Attractive, pure green apple and mineral aromas. A sharp entry leads to a medium-bodied palate with bright acidity. Ripe, melony flavors flow through the finish. Fresh and tasty." 87
"There's a violet note to the nose and palate that makes you wonder if there's some Viognier in this wine. Flowery and delicately fruity with mild peach, apple and ginger flavors, this wine is soft and light-bodied, with a slight tongue prickle, but the bold, perfumed flavors bring character and appeal." 86
"...a very reasonable wine, with a very silky texture. It is clean and crisp with light tropical fruit flavors. This wine is great for sipping on a hot afternoon or with a meal."
"...lots of herbal, nearly Sauvignon Blanc-like assertiveness; it even has texture, a sort of butteriness, from the use of very ripe fruit."
"Near white, this wine presents light, bright fruit with citric aromas, tangy orange and tangerine flavors, and an overall impression of a fruit-sweet wine."
"Fresh scents of herbs and grasses build into the full, floral perfume of this white, riper and more assertive than most styles of Pinot Grigio. With all its flowers, it still holds clean and limey..." 87
"...truly superb. Banfi's striking 2000 San Angelo Pinot Grigio is one of the best. Buy a few more bottles than you think you'll need for a party because people love these wines so much they seem to evaporate."
"The aroma showed tropical fruit and honey. While the wine smelled delicate, it was quite creamy in the mouth for a Pinot Grigio."
"Light and lovely by the pool, with nice grapefruit-melon tastes and good acidity."
"From the Tuscany region; pleasant forward aromas of honeysuckle, tropical fruit and citrus; crisp, zesty flavors of citrus and tropical fruit; a fruity but dry finish. Classy and well made."
"With the sun overhead, the thermometer bobbing above 70 degrees, pop the cork on this Pinot Grigio and enjoy its lemony crispness... refreshing." ***+
"Ripe and juicy with peach, honeydew and citrus, and an underlying subtle herbaceous quality adds dimension." ***+
"...outstanding... The nose is seductive and floral, the palate rich, full and round, the aromas of peach, pear, anise and honey, exotic for a white wine from this top-flight red wine area. Beautifully done." 86
"...a lovely Italian white... It's crisp, with citrus and melon flavors and hints of herbs and fig. A complex, flavorful wine at a good price."
"There is more than a little Tuscan sunshine in Castello Banfi 2000 San Angelo Pinot Grigio, and one can almost taste the light dancing among its vibrant fruit flavors. The fruit-rich personality of this Pinot Grigio distinguishes it from its generally more austere peers, as do its delicately creamy texture and bright finish."
"Great aromatics suggestive of honeysuckle and minerals. Clean, fresh with elegant dryness. There is a sea of tasteless Pinot Grigio, this one is a legitimate star." 89
"Pinot Grigio is more commonly associated with northern Italian regions, but Banfi's Tuscan entry is a solid and fairly full-bodied contender. Lime and herb notes underlay the melon and pineapple fruit, and the mouthfeel is supple, almost rich-unusual for this varietal. The wine finishes positively, with herb and subdued tropical fruit notes." 88 - Best Buy
"...fresh and bright with a bouquet of apple, pear, and some woody notes. Apple, pear, citrus peel, lemon-lime, a hint of orange, and crisp acidity on the palate continue through the long, broad finish which adds some definite woody notes. Quite nice."
86 - Highly Recommended
"This is the season for fruity Pinot Grigio and this Italian version is as good as they get. Crisp, refreshing and full of citrus fruit."
"Tuscan Pinot Grigio takes on a different aromatic profile than its northern cousins, often fuller and riper. Banfi's '99 is filled with scents of white flowers and the flavor of dry peaches. It's appealing and clean, with a bit of acidity at the end." 85
"An unusual Tuscan entry, the '98 Castello Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio will suit you nicely. Floral nose, rich and flavorful with zippy acidity poised against a lot of stone-fruit nuances. Excellent!"
"Banfi's single-vineyard Pinot Grigio is as refreshing as they come, due partly to the calcareous soil near Montalcino in Tuscany where the vines are grown. Its lighter body emphasizes its lemon and citrusy flavors and crisp acidity. The slight blush hue indicates more than normal body for an Italian Pinot Grigio."
"Honeysuckle and tropical guava nose. Creamy mouth-feel tempered with green apple and fig flavors and smoked hickory notes; finishes with a crisp acidity."
"...was a big hit with all who tasted it. And bargain hunters will wig out because this Italian treat is but $9. This one you can serve icy cold or allow it to warm a bit. Either way, it's crisp, and the citrus and fruit notes will refresh you. Pour this one liberally at bar-b-ques or take a bottle or two to a party. Nobody but the worst wine snob will object to this fun wine."
"This wine ranked third in our tasting, primarily because it had good acids, making it good with food. We found peaches in the aroma but dried apricots dominating on the palate. In the mouth, this wine was lively, almost spritzy, with a creamy texture."
"Clean, fresh and appealing pear and green apple aroma, with light spice and floral notes. Rich texture, with pleasing, sweet and sour flavors of pear and tart apple fruit; crisp and zingy finish."
"...perhaps the best value in the popular Italian Pinot Grigio category. This pleasant wine features pretty aromas of lemons and pears followed by rich flavors of ripe citrus and melons...lively, clean acidity and dry finish..."
"One of the most delightful Italian Pinot Grigios I've ever encountered"
"...a lovely wine with a light-to-moderate body that delivers generous amounts of prototypical varietal flavors, including the familiar peach-apricot-citrus profile."
"Pronounced, fragrant, sweet, Bartlett pear nose. Medium-bodied, excellent balance, with apple, pear and honey flavors; crisp, pear-flavored finish."
"Light-Medium, dry. Sweet peaches, honeysuckle and ginger aromas; multi-layered flavors, bracing acidity, good texture and length." ***
"Fresh, fruity and refreshing with notes of apple, citrus and violets. The palate shows pears, apples, lemons and a lingering finish." *** Best Buy
"...this single-vineyard wine is full-flavored with tropical fruit. Delicious acidity brings this wine into focus and leaves a fresh, clean aftertaste." 86
"One of the loveliest of Pinot Grigios..."
"This is the more traditional style of Pinot Gri's, with sprightly blossom, lime and spice notes in the aroma and a bright fresh pear mid-palate."
"Star-bright, technically polished, Banfi's round, lean, crisply palate-cleansing white opens with a spring-garden scent, then segues into delicate tropical-and-herbal nuances with hints of coconut and a long finish."
"A subtle and interesting white..." 86
"Bright yellow-gold. Medium-bodied. Balanced acidity. Moderately extracted. Mildly oaked. Citrus zest, vanilla. Well balanced, with a touch of oak evident in the nose and the finish." 86
"The floral perfume may be unexpected from Pinot Grigio, but the lively grapey flavors are not. It balances out to a full and pleasant Italian white." 85
"refreshing and good with the season's food, too" Summer White Wine Selection
"Well balanced, with a touch of oak flavors evident on the nose and in the finish." 86
"...has a wonderful fresh quality that's perfect for spring. The aromas of fresh cut flowers, lemons and vanilla give way to medium body, crisp acidity and a nice balance of citrus and melon flavors. Excellent value."
"Lively, and easy to drink." 86
"San Angelo is a delightful, typically Italian wine that is sure to please one and all."
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