In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, rose petal, iron, leather, balsamic
Palate: dried plum, wild herbs, tea, tobacco
Released only in exceptional vintages, the Riserva is known for extended cellar capacity (50 plus years in great vintages).
What it pairs with
-
Truffle-shaved game
Library bottle and white truffle make a defining contemplative pairing. -
Aged hard sheep's-milk cheese
Cheese crystal salt amplifies dried-cherry depth. -
Roast pigeon with chestnut
Game-bird sweetness meets the wine's iron tea-leaf register.
How to serve Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Truffle-shaved game, Aged hard sheep's-milk cheese, Roast pigeon with chestnut. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
First Riserva labelled 1891, declared only in vintages worthy of long ageing. Famous library vintages 1955, 1964, 1975, 1988, 2010, 2016. Released after at least 36 months in cask and 4 years in bottle.
- 1891 — First Riserva vintage
- 1955 — 1955 vintage names a defining Italian wine of the 20th century
Facts
- Producer
- Biondi-Santi
- Grapes
- Sangiovese Grosso (100%)
- Classification
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva
- Oak
- 36+ months in large Slavonian oak casks, released only in exceptional years
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 800 to 2500 at retail
- Drinking window
- 20 to 60 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1891
Scores
- Wine Advocate 98 (2010 vintage, reviewed 2018)
- Vinous 97 (2010 vintage, reviewed 2017)
Frequently asked about Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
What does Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, rose petal, iron, leather, balsamic. On the palate, dried plum, wild herbs, tea, tobacco. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Released only in exceptional vintages, the Riserva is known for extended cellar capacity (50 plus years in great vintages).
When should I drink Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva?
Drink 20 to 60 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva?
Truffle-shaved game is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Aged hard sheep's-milk cheese and Roast pigeon with chestnut. Library bottle and white truffle make a defining contemplative pairing.
What grapes are in Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva?
The blend is Sangiovese Grosso (100%). The wine is classified as Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva.