Biondi Santi Family Estate Collection

Franco Biondi-Santi

“The characteristic of Brunello is its longevity,"

Nature is capable of creating beautiful things - you just

have to wait."-Franco Biondi Santi

 

Franco Biondi-Santi

“If you are seeking an authentic representation of Sangiovese at the highest

level in Montalcino, the Brunellos of Biondi Santi are

at the pinnacle and among the longest lived.”

– Decanter  

“Biondi-Santi’s Brunello Riservas are among the most

coveted bottlings in Italy… Vintages from Franco’s father Tancredi, include the 1955 and

1964 Riservas, true monuments to Sangiovese.”

– Decanter  

Brunello di Montalcino began at Il Greppo, the Biondi-Santi estate, in the nineteenth century. Through the hard work and dedication of Tancredi Biondi-Santi, the wine became the international icon it is today, and in doing so, Brunello lifted Montalcino out of poverty and obscurity and into prosperity and fame.

Established in 1880, Biondi-Santi was a winery destined for greatness. Founder Clemente Biondi-Santi launched his family's name in the wine business, but in the late 19th century, with Ferruccio Biond-Estate, the estate at "Greppo" made its mark in viticulture history. Ferruccio Biondi-Santi took a clone of the Sangiovese grape, known as Sangiovese Grosso, and produced the first ever Brunello. Ferruccio's son Tancredi made the wine famous, officially classifying it as Brunello, forever changing Italy's place in the wine industry. Tancredi's son Franco Biondi-Santi, who passed away last year, brought the estate to ever greater heights, leaving a legacy that few winemakers can rival.

Biondi-Santi Brunello's trademark aromatics and acidity can be attributed to the vineyard's altitude that ranges between 1,300-1,600 feet above sea level. Both the Annata and the Riserva undergo fermentation in traditional Slavonian oak for 18 days, followed by aging in large oak casks of 800 to 7,000 liters for a period of two to three years for the Annata, while the Riserva is released six years after the harvest.

Biondi-Santi

Il Greppo

The prestige of the Il Greppo estate dates back to the ninenteenth century, The estate includes 47 hectares of land at Il Greppo and another 105 at Pieri. Only 25 hectares are cultivated as vineyards of Sangiovese Grosso. The oldest vines, totaling 5 hectares, date from 1930-1970. Marled soils with heavy stones have been always preferred by the family with southern, southeastern, eastern, northeastern and northern exposure..The Greppo Estate stretches across the hillsides at altitudes from 385 to 507 meters above sea level within the southeast of Montalcino and enjoys an ideal microclimate..

This microclimate has a tendency to be dry when the grapes ripen fully enhances the aromas and the structure of Brunello. The climate is characterized by a marked difference between diurnal and nocturnal temperatures, accentuated in September and October (during the harvesting period). This considerable difference in temperature at dawn enables the grape varieties to express all the characteristic aromas of Brunello di Montalcino. In 1970, Franco Biondi Santi began a clone selection of his old Greppo vines, which were obtained from the massive selection started by his grand-father Ferruccio in the second half of 1800. He worked with Professors Casini and Bandinelli at Florence University. Various clones of Sangiovese were selected during five harvests and isolated BBS/11 (Brunello Biondi Santi, vine no. 11). This clone (BBS11) is used for grafting onto the new wild cuttings.

The international market for Italian wine was born with Tancredi Biondi-Santi, and the reason Italian wine came to be part of the global fine wine collector's market.

While Brunello di Montalcino became a recognized DOCG in 1968, until the late 1980’s there were still only a few dozen Brunello producers. Franco Biondi Santi’s own bottlings, including the exquisite and complex 1975, are just coming into their own and are extraordinarily youthful.

A Biondi-Santi Brunello is a wine for those who understand that these lean but majestic wines require age to elicit all the subtle nuances that are the embodiment of Brunello's history, pedigree, artistry and expression. The lean, aromatic and thoroughly remarkable Biondi-santi Brunellos are best known for their incredible ability to age -even 100-year-old Brunellos from Biondi-Santi show remarkably well.

The vintage Biondi-Santi wines are considered among Italy's most important national wine treasures. With impeccable provenance, the Biondi Santi Family Estate Collection comes directly from the temperature controlled Il Greppo cellars, where they have been stored since bottling.

The collection includes iconic vintages such as 1955, 1964 and 1975, deemed by James Suckling as “the greatest Italian wines of my life”.

Family Estate Colection

Family Estate Collection

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1975

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1971

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1970

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1969

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1968

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1964

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1955

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1975Vintage CommentaryThe ‘75 was graded 100 points by Franco Biondi Santi, for its ability to age 100+ years.  The wine is considered to be one of the greatest from the estate.  

Tasting NotesDeep brown with medium orange rim. Clean fully developed mature nose of great complexity and intensity. Botanicals, balsamic aromas, ground coffee, molasses, herbs and tobacco. On the palate some sweetness and spice, dark cherry fruit. Very much alive on the palate with fig to stone fruits, damp leaves, leather and coffee. Good acidity.

Critical Acclaim96 points, Wine Spectator“Rich and round, still full of energy and very long..” -Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

 

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1971Vintage CommentaryAn exceptional vintage. for Biondi-Santi

Tasting NotesA translucent, medium intense garnet core with some red brightness remaining fades to a brown edge. Medium intensity on the nose. Precise notes of roses, mineral infusion & hints of iron, fresh mushroom, earth and with more time red cherry tickle the nose.

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1970Vintage Commentary  Oustanding

Tasting NotesA standing ovation. Very particular and intriguing nose. Fine, elegant. Balsamic and mineral. The quintessence of Biondi Santi's charm. Very fresh. Long and satisfying finish.

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1969Vintage CommentaryThis was a vintage very dear to Franco Biondi-Santi because it was the last his father put his mark on. Even though it was considered a ‘classic’ year, Franco said on more than one occasion that it was one of his favorites because the Greppo came out particularly well, compared to wines from neighboring areas. It is unmatched in regard to balance, starting with its intact, deep red color.

Tasting NotesThe aroma is quite diversified and brilliantly full with quite original scents of ash, licorice, berry and hints of dried flowers. As always the acidity dominates the mouth feel, upholding a bold, rigorous and mineral structure. Outstanding for a wine that has been in the bottle for 45 years.

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1968

Tasting NotesBlack brownish red on the rim. Looks old but at the same time bright. A bit funky old wine nose with a slight oxi note in a good way. Eucalyptus earth, some old wood and slight leather finish. Very delicate, supper soft..\

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1964Vintage CommentaryOutsanding

Tasting NotesBrown like core with slight orange rim. Exciting nose, sherry tones, currants, nuts Balsamic and mineral with hints of dried flowers. A bit of oxi acidity that lingers nicely.

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1955Vintage CommentaryThis is not only one of the best wines Italy has produced but one of the best the world has known. Even its cork seemed a little unreal, a bit hard but embarrassingly perfect.. Truly as good as it gets.

Tasting NotesThe color is out of this world, an intense red with distinct garnet reflections, very transparent and luminous. The bouquet is uniquely intense, as varied as an artist’s palette, with sweet tobacco, dried rose petals, dark chocolate and nutmeg. And the luminous, pungent and balsamic mineral sensations are outstanding. The mouth feel is the quintessence of goodness and stimulation. It is lively, pulsating, spicy, fresh and even excessive with an endless finish that is never tame.

Critical Acclaim99 Points,Wine Spectator“Magnificent, this a Brunello of legendary stature.” -Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

Franco Biondi Santi always said he wanted to make wines that were never old enough to

drink.

To enjoy a Biondi-Santi Brunello as Franco would,

slowly aerate it before drinking: uncork the wine,

pour out about an ounce or two to increase the air-to-wine ratio in the bottle, and let the

wine breathe slowly for approximately eight hours.

Then, take your time to enjoy each and every sip.