Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

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 one of the world's most fabled wines for cellar capacity.

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.

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.

1. 1891 — First Riserva vintage
2. 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)

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