Biondi-Santi
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva
Produced for the first time in 1888, the Biondi-Santi Riserva was the first Brunello di Montalcino in history, and even today it is an extraordinary event when a new vintage of Riserva is announced at Tenuta Greppo, the Biondi-Santi main estate. Renowned for its extraordinary longevity, this rare wine has been released only 43 times from 1888 till today and each production is extremely limited. Riserva is traditionally produced with grapes coming from only the oldest vineyards, of more than 25 years of age.
The grapes for Biondi-Santi Riserva are sourced exclusively from the estate’s oldest vineyards, situated in the heart of Tuscany’s Montalcino region. These vineyards, planted with Sangiovese Grosso—the noble clone of Sangiovese—are carefully tended to and cultivated with a focus on sustainability and traditional practices. The soils are rich in clay and limestone, providing ideal conditions for slow, balanced ripening. The estate's high-altitude sites benefit from significant diurnal temperature variation, allowing the grapes to achieve optimal acidity and aromatic complexity. This unique terroir, combined with the age of the vines, imparts exceptional depth, structure, and longevity to the Riserva, making it a true reflection of Montalcino’s rich winemaking heritage.
- Region
- Tuscany
- Appellation
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva
- Varietal Composition
- Sangiovese
- Aging
- 3 years in Slavonian oak barrels.
- Alcohol
- 14%
The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a truly majestic wine. The bouquet is packed with intense fruity notes of black berries, pomegranate, and plums, intertwined with scents of Mediterranean herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and sage, rising from a carpet of forest floor. On the palate, the wine seduces with exuberant charm and caressing sweetness. The youthful tannins reveal its immense structure and contribute to creating a distinctive sensation of freshness which leads us towards a long-lingering, savory finish.
Wine Advocate
97 Points
2019
"Shows balanced fruit weight and clear definition, with dark currant and cherry at the core. Retasted one day later, the wine had opened nicely, gaining cohesion and improved harmony. The 2019 growing season delivered healthy, well-ripened fruit with natural concentration, a profile that emphasizes structure and richness. This Riserva is made from a strict selection of the estate’s best fruit, sourced from its oldest vineyards. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, followed by extended aging in large Slavonian oak casks (which has been somewhat shortened in recent years). At Tenuta Il Greppo, the historic home of Biondi-Santi in Montalcino, some of the estate’s vines date back to the 1930s, making the oldest plantings over 80 years old. These heritage vines contribute to the depth and lineage of the estate’s Brunello and Riserva wines."
— Monica Larner, 2026
