The Banfi 2019 Bolgheri Rosso Aska is a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with about 10% Cabernet Franc aged in French oak for 10 months. The vineyards are planted in the flat part of the Bolgheri appellation next to Podere Sapaio, and annual production is about 80,000 bottles (made according to certified sustainable protocols). I am less convinced by this vintage that shows some resiny aromas and lingering sourness. Aromas of black cherry and plum are presented alongside something that reminds me of pine resin or tree sap. There are tones of sweet spice and tobacco that lead to rather dry tannins.

In developing their new Bolgheri project, the team at Banfi decided to focus on Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, blended here 90% to 10%, respectively. Their 2017 Bolgheri Rosso Aska shows richness and generous fruit for sure, but the wine is more streamlined and subdued next to many of the much riper wines made by its peers in this hot and dry vintage. This wine has captured the concentration and spicy nature of the vintage, but it does so without feeling heavy or jammy. There's good balance in the mouth as well, with well managed tannin. Production is an ample 82,000 bottles.

The 2016 Bolgheri Rosso Aska brings a lot more focus and precision to this blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc. The bouquet is nicely stitched together with black fruit aromas followed by spice, tobacco and dark earth. This mid-weight Tuscan red offers fresh acidity and mild structure. Pair it with any informal pasta dish.

This wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc. This wine opens to a note of over-ripeness that weighs downs the quality of the fruit. The 2015 Bolgheri Rosso Aska shows dark plum and dried prune. You definitely feel the 14% alcohol in this dry red with loosely knit tannins. Some 70,000 bottles were made.

Castello Banfi is new to the Bolgheri wine scene and is looking to make more land investments in coastal Tuscany. The 2013 Bolgheri Rosso Aska is a soft and yielding wine with thick intensity and pretty aromas of dark blackberry, sweet cherry, spice and new leather. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc offers a smooth and silky impact. Dark fruit flavors appear on the close and the wine ends on a sweet note.