Wine of the week: Banfi Centine Red 2019

Banfi’s red Centine, an Italian Super Tuscan blend, is one of the world’s great $10 wines

Banfi’s $10 Centine Italian wines have always gotten a lot of attention on the blog, often making the $10 Hall of Fame. But I never seem to give them as much credit as I do those from Falesco, another Italian producer; Tariquet, the Gascon white; or the French Chateau Bonnet red and white. In fact, I haven’t reviewed the red Centine wine in three years.

So consider this the Wine Curmudgeon’s ode to Banfi and its Centine wines. Because they deserve it.

This vintage of the red ($10, purchased, 13.5%) is not as soft as the 2017, the last one I reviewed. Instead, the Super Tuscan blend is almost herbal and earthy, with dark fruit, spot on tannins, and that wonderful acidity that is such a key to balance in Italian red wine. It’s not exactly a big wine or especially rustic; rather, there’s just some very pleasing heft to it.

In all, it’s much more than $10 worth of wine. That’s something the Centine wines (there’s also a white and rose) deliver almost every time. The other thing to appreciate? That they’re food wines – made to go with dinner, be with sausage or red sauce or the mushroom and asparagus risotto I had it with.

Highly recommended, and certain to return to the Hall of Fame next month. And don’t be surprised if it makes the short list for the 2022 Cheap Wine of the Year.

Imported by Banfi Vintners