Courts clear Banfi Brunello

Courts in Siena in Tuscany have released Banfi's 2003 Brunello which was confiscated in April as part of a fraud investigation concerning the grapes used to make the wine. A lab test that measures the wine’s anthocyanin level confirmed the wine is 100% Sangiovese as required by law in Brunello.

The impounded stock will be released and shipped with immediate effect and the 2004 vintage will be released in February 2009.

While the high profile wine producer has had its name cleared the problem has by no means disappeared, with an ongoing investigation involving nearly 90 Brunello estates, according to local sources.