Decanter
95 Points
Due to the late start and generally cool conditions in 2013, harvest began at the end of September at Biondi-Santi, just slightly later than the average. The wine has been held back over a year longer than the denomination regulations and released in March 2019. Still embryonic and reserved, dark floral scents of violet and lilac gradually emerge before notes of sage and thyme take over. The tangy acidity of the vintage comes through brilliantly.
Wine Enthusiast
98 Points
Fragrant and loaded with finesse, this stunning red still shows the estate's hallmark of elegance and structure, opening with enticing scents of rose, iris, wild red berry and a whiff of new leather. The vibrant palate is dazzling and almost ethereal, delivering flavors of succulent red cherry, pomegranate, star anise and a hint of forest floor. Taut, polished tannins and
Vinous
92+ Points
Luminous bright pale red. The inviting nose offers redcurrant, sour red cherry, licorice, flint and violet aromas. Then slightly richer and riper than the flinty-floral nose suggests, with musky flavors of red fruit and sweet spices complicated by hints of loam. Closes long, musky and smooth.
Wine & Spirits
94 points
" ... notes of black cherry and umeboshi plum layered with iodine, basil and smoke. The tightly packed flavors need time to unfold, so it’s best to decant this several hours before serving."
Wine & Spirits
94 points
“An elegant rendering of sangiovese ... floral scents ... flavors of red cherry ... acidity and polished-iron tannins ... notes of tarragon and licorice with exposure to air, maintaining impeccable balance and purity of fruit on the long finish."
Wine Spectator
92 Points
The supple texture is pervaded by cherry, currant, graphite, tea and underbrush aromas and flavors. Firm tannins and vibrant acidity provide support as this cruises to a long aftertaste. Not imported in the U.S. Best from 2020 through 2033.
Wine Spectator
93 Points
A supple, harmonious red, showing some softening, with cherry, leather and wild herb flavors well-integrated into the lacy structure. Reveals a lingering essence of sweet fruit, black tea and graphite on the finish. Best from 2019 through 2032.
Wine Spectator
92 points
“The supple texture is pervaded by cherry, currant, graphite, tea and underbrush aromas and flavors. Firm tannins and vibrant acidity provide support as this cruises to a long aftertaste.”
Wine Spectator
93 points
“A supple, harmonious red, showing some softening, with cherry, leather and wild herb flavors well-integrated into the lacy structure. Reveals a lingering essence of sweet fruit, black tea and graphite on the finish.”
Wine Enthusiast
96 points
“Beautifully balanced, this opens with alluring scents of wild berry, rose, baking spice and whiffs of chopped herb. Seamlessly combining ripe fruit and the firm's trademark finesse, the bright elegantly structured palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and a hint of black tea framed in polished tannins and fresh acidity. It's already tempting but the best is yet to come.”
Wine Enthusiast
96 points
“Underbrush, ripe berry, new leather and Mediterranean herb aromas slowly take shape in the glass. Showing youthful tension, the vibrant palate delivers red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and pipe tobacco notes framed by bright acidity and taut, refined tannins. It already shows great balance and finesse but is still young and tight.”
Vinous
94 points
“Bright red. Fresh, complex aromas of sweet red berries, pomegranate, sour red cherry, orange peel, violet and brown spices. Bright and juicy, with building density and multilayered flavors of sour red cherries and raspberry, complicated by a hint of peach. Finishes long and clean with strong mineral and floral nuances. This is an extremely fruity and remarkably ready to drink Brunello for this property, known for tough as nails wines when young that normally require lots of patience. Still, despite its obvious upfront charm, this has real structure and depth and will age well. Easily one of the top three Brunellos of the vintage.”
Vinous
94+ points
“Dark red. Musky nuances give way to brighter red fruit, licorice and herbal aromas. Rich and dense, with flavors of red cherry and minerals lifted by hints of orange peel and bergamot, not to mention noteworthy but harmonious acidity. Finishes long with youthfully chewy tannins and lingering hints of violet…”
The Wine Advocate
90 points
“It's always such a pleasure and an honor to be in front of a bottle of Biondi-Santi. These wines deliver a sense of history and tradition that puts them into a very elite group of Italian icons. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Annata shows a medium garnet color with pretty ruby highlights. The bouquet emits dark fruit, cassis, balsam herb, tar and cola. This vintage shows the classic aromas that are associated with the venerated Il Greppo estate … Following rigorous tradition, this wine is aged in large Slavonian oak casks for three years. Some 50,000 bottles are produced.”
The Wine Advocate
92 points
“The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva makes a bold and more articulate statement … That extra year of aging has contributed to more powerful aromas of dark fruit, balsam herb and spice. There is extra fiber and texture here overall. This Riserva shows a higher degree of density and a tighter embroidery with dark fruit, spice and tobacco. … if there's one thing the wines of Biondi-Santi have demonstrated over the years, it is that they get better with time. Set this bottle aside in your cellar.”
jamessuckling.com
93 Points
Beautiful, sweet and ripe fruit on the nose with hints of wildflowers. It’s full-bodied with soft, round tannins that caress the palate. Long, flavorful finish. Gorgeous finish. A hint of chocolate nicely complements the fruit here.