Aska
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-cooked wild boar ragù, grilled ribeye steak, or aged Pecorino Toscano cheese.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the prestigious coastal hills of Bolgheri, Banfi's 'Aska' is a classic Bolgheri DOC Rosso that pays homage to Tuscany's ancient roots. The name 'Aska' derives from the Etruscan word for a vessel used to protect precious liquids, a fitting tribute to the region's rich archaeological heritage. This blend is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with a supporting portion of Cabernet Franc, grown in soils rich in sand and clay under the tempering influence of the nearby Mediterranean Sea. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel, the wine is aged for approximately ten months in French oak barriques, resulting in a harmonious marriage of ripe dark fruit, elegant herbaceous notes, and a subtle touch of sweet spice.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1978 by Italian-American brothers John and Harry Mariani alongside consulting enologist Ezio Rivella, Banfi transformed the viticultural landscape of southern Tuscany. Centered around the medieval fortress of Castello di Poggio alle Mura in Montalcino, the estate spans over 2,800 hectares, with approximately one-third under vine. The soils present a complex mosaic of calcareous clay, sand, and marine deposits along the Orcia and Ombrone river valleys, exposed to warm Mediterranean breezes and balanced diurnal shifts. Pioneers of rigorous Sangiovese clonal zoning, Banfi has expanded beyond Montalcino into classic regions across Tuscany and Piedmont. Certified sustainable under the Equalitas standard, the producer combines technological precision with meticulous parcel selection. While renowned globally for benchmark Brunello di Montalcino, Banfi exhibits equal dexterity across diverse white and sparkling expressions, ranging from traditional-method Alta Langa and Cuvée Aurora sparkling cuvées to coastal Vermentino like La Pettegola and crisp, mineral-inflected Cortese from Piedmont.
🍇 Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot