In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, rose petal, tea leaf, tobacco
Palate: red plum, iron, balsamic, wild herbs
The founding Brunello, traditionally styled in Slavonian botti from the Greppo estate's Sangiovese Grosso vines.
What it pairs with
-
Florentine peposo
Slow-cooked beef in pepper finds Brunello's spice register. -
Aged Pecorino di Pienza
Crystalline sheep's-milk cheese sharpens dried-cherry notes. -
Bistecca alla fiorentina
Find bistecca alla fiorentina on TableJourney →
T-bone classic with old-school Brunello structure.
How to serve Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino
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. Florentine peposo, Aged Pecorino di Pienza, Bistecca alla fiorentina. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Ferruccio Biondi-Santi bottled the first vintage labelled Brunello di Montalcino in 1888 from the Greppo estate, isolating Sangiovese Grosso for solo bottling. EPI Group acquired the estate in 2017.
- 1888 — First vintage of Brunello di Montalcino
- 1980 — Brunello becomes the first DOCG in Italy
- 2017 — EPI Group acquires the estate
Facts
- Producer
- Biondi-Santi
- Grapes
- Sangiovese Grosso (100%)
- Classification
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
- Oak
- 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 180 to 350 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10 to 40 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1888
Scores
- Wine Advocate 97 (2016 vintage, reviewed 2021)
- Vinous 97 (2016 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino
What does Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, rose petal, tea leaf, tobacco. On the palate, red plum, iron, balsamic, wild herbs. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The founding Brunello, traditionally styled in Slavonian botti from the Greppo estate's Sangiovese Grosso vines.
When should I drink Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino?
Drink 10 to 40 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?
Florentine peposo is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Aged Pecorino di Pienza and Bistecca alla fiorentina. Slow-cooked beef in pepper finds Brunello's spice register.
What grapes are in Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino?
The blend is Sangiovese Grosso (100%). The wine is classified as Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.