Banfi Col Di Sasso Sangiovese Cabernet

Banfi Col Di Sasso Sangiovese Cabernet is a Toscana IGT red blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. This Tuscan value standout earned 90 points from both Wine Enthusiast (which designated it a "Best Buy" on the 2023 vintage) and Wine Spectator, placing it among the most consistently well-scored Italian reds in its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Tuscany, Italy  |  Toscana IGT  |  Producer: Castello Banfi

Production & Heritage

Castello Banfi, founded in 1978 in the Montalcino zone of southern Tuscany, manages one of the largest single-estate vineyards in Italy. Col di Sasso — translating to "Stony Hill" — takes its name from the rocky, impervious slopes of the Banfi estate where the fruit is cultivated, a terroir that stresses the vines and concentrates flavor. The grapes undergo maceration for six to eight days at controlled temperatures of 75–77°F, a relatively short skin-contact period designed to extract bright fruit character and supple tannins without excessive weight.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a saline, almost umami-like mineral quality before shifting into cracked black pepper and dried herbs. Black cherry and blackcurrant emerge as the wine opens, layered with a subtle spice note that hints at the Cabernet component.

Taste: On entry, ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit coat the palate with immediate generosity. The mid-palate reveals good acidity that lifts the fruit, keeping the wine nimble despite its richness. Licorice and dark currant flavors intensify toward the peak, balanced by soft, well-integrated tannins.

Finish: Medium in length with persistent black-fruit flavors and a faint whisper of smoke. Wild herbs and a light mineral edge linger, pulling you back for another sip.

How to Drink Col Di Sasso

Col Di Sasso is approachable enough to pour straight from the bottle at cellar temperature (around 60–64°F), though a brief 15-minute decant opens up the aromatics noticeably. Its fruit-forward profile and moderate tannin structure make it a reliable cocktail and mixed-drink component as well. A Sangria Rossa benefits from its dark berry core and natural acidity. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well given the wine's fruit sweetness and soft tannins. A New York Sour float showcases its ruby-purple color and adds a savory, herbal dimension to the whiskey base.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners when you want quality without deliberation
• Introducing someone to Tuscan reds without sticker shock
• Hosting a casual pizza or pasta night with friends
• Building a case of dependable house reds for everyday drinking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Col Di Sasso taste like? Col Di Sasso leads with ripe blackberry and black cherry flavors, supported by soft tannins, good acidity, and undertones of licorice, wild herbs, and a touch of smoke. It drinks as a medium-bodied, fruit-driven Tuscan red with an easy, food-friendly finish.

How does Col Di Sasso compare to Piccini Chianti? Both are accessible, fruit-forward Tuscan reds at a similar value level, but Col Di Sasso's Cabernet Sauvignon component adds darker berry depth and softer tannins compared to the more tart cherry and earthy profile typical of a straight Sangiovese-based Chianti. Col Di Sasso also carries a Toscana IGT designation rather than the Chianti DOCG, giving winemakers more blending flexibility.

Is Col Di Sasso good for beginners? Absolutely — its soft tannins, generous fruit, and lack of aggressive oak or high acidity make it one of the most approachable Tuscan reds available. The 90-point scores from major critics confirm it delivers well beyond what its modest price point suggests.

Where is Col Di Sasso made? Col Di Sasso is produced by Castello Banfi on their estate in Montalcino, within the southern portion of Tuscany, Italy. The fruit is specifically sourced from the estate's rocky, elevated hillside vineyards that give the wine its name.

What foods pair well with Col Di Sasso? Margherita pizza works beautifully, as the wine's acidity cuts through mozzarella while echoing the tomato sauce's fruitiness. Grilled Italian sausage complements the peppery, herbal notes. Pasta with a slow-simmered Bolognese mirrors the wine's savory-fruit balance. Aged Pecorino cheese draws out the wine's underlying minerality. Roasted eggplant Parmesan matches well with its medium body and soft tannins.

What sizes does Col Di Sasso come in? Col Di Sasso is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Col Di Sasso worth the price? Col Di Sasso positions firmly in the everyday-value tier of Italian reds, yet its dual 90-point scores from Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator put its quality on par with bottles costing significantly more. It consistently over-delivers for its category and represents one of Tuscany's strongest value propositions.

Why Col Di Sasso?

Two 90-point scores from the industry's most recognized wine publications — with a "Best Buy" tag from Wine Enthusiast — place Col Di Sasso in rare company among value-tier Italian reds. The wine draws its character from a specific terroir: the stony, mineral-rich hillsides of Castello Banfi's Montalcino estate, one of Italy's most celebrated growing regions. The Sangiovese-Cabernet blend bridges old-world acidity and structure with new-world fruit accessibility, making it versatile across the dinner table and the calendar. For a Tuscan red that punches well above its weight class vintage after vintage, Col Di Sasso has earned its reputation on merit rather than marketing.