Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Latest scored vintage 2010: best 2030 to 2070.
vintage20 yrs60 yrs62 yrs

Critic scores

CriticVintageScore
Wine Advocate reviewed 2018201098/100
Vinous reviewed 2017201097/100

Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

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.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. 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.

  1. 1891: First Riserva vintage
  2. 1955: 1955 vintage names a defining Italian wine of the 20th century

Facts

Producer
Biondi-Santi · visiting guide
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

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.

Tags

cellar worthy cult wine dry firm tannin full body high acid iconic library release mood contemplative mood elegant occasion celebration occasion cellar occasion special old vines old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with game pairs with red meat pairs with truffles price collector sangiovese grosso still red

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