WINERY It is a rare phenomenon that a wine can trace its origins to a single man. Brunello di Montalcino, however, owes its existence to Ferruccio Biondi Santi who in 1888 invented Brunello. Later generations of this enlightened family include such talented winemakers as Tancredi and Franco Biondi Santi. Today Biondi-Santi continues to produce wines renowned for their elegance and extraordinary longevity. Located just south-east of Montalcino, the winery spreads over 32 hectares of vineyards on soils rich in galestro rock and marl, which is perfect for the cultivation of Sangiovese Grosso. Defenders of a rich enological heritage, Biondi-Santi continues to employ a natural viticulture and traditional vinicultural methods to highlight the wine’s unique characteristics, or tipicità.

WINE 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 42 times from 1888 till today and each production is extremely limited. Riserva is traditionally produced with grapes coming from only the ùoldest vineyards, of more than 25 years of age.

The 2018 Riserva was produced exclusively with a selection grapes from our proprietary vineyards, comprising from our oldest parcels.

2018 was a quite cool year, characterized by abundant rainfalls which accompanied the entire growth cycle of the vine. Overall, the summer saw temperatures below average. Just before harvesting the grapes from our high altitude vineyards a week of healthy wind from the north contributed to drying vines and grapes, preparing them for picking. Harvest started on September 16th and lasted for 8 days with a careful selection of the best bunches.

The 2018 Riserva was vinified in both Slavonian oak barrels and concrete, using only indigenous yeasts from our vineyards. Successively, it was aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 3 years.

Fragrant and loaded with finesse, this multi-layered wine offers an alluring nose with notes of red berry, violet, dump underbrush, Oriental spice. The palate has great depth and lots of flavor: raspberry compote, orange zest, licorice, black tea and tobacco. Fresh acidity keeps it energized and lends intensity. A very seductive wine with beautiful complexity and levity.