Col di Sasso
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2024
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Classic Italian pasta dishes with meat ragù, wood-fired Margherita pizza, and grilled chicken or pork skewers.
✨ Technical Specifications
Col di Sasso, translating to 'Hill of Stone,' is a classic representation of Tuscany's modern winemaking renaissance, crafted by the pioneering Castello Banfi estate in Montalcino. Born from the stony, sun-drenched hillsides of southern Tuscany, this red blend harmoniously marries the rustic charm of Sangiovese with the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon. Banfi, founded in 1978 by the Italian-American Mariani brothers, revolutionized the region by combining state-of-the-art technology with deep respect for the land. Col di Sasso is intentionally crafted to be vibrant and accessible, undergoing temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel to preserve its bright, youthful fruit flavors of dark cherries and blackcurrants, free from heavy oak influence. It stands as a testament to Banfi's ability to deliver authentic Tuscan character in an everyday, approachable style.
🍾 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.