Overview
The Biondi-Santi flagship wine, Brunello di Montalcino embodies the spirit of Tenuta Greppo and the signature style of its winemakers, forged over 150 years of history. The 2018 is produced exclusively from selected Sangiovese grown in the estate's proprietary vineyards, combining fresh elegance, depth and aristocratic personality.
Vintage
2018 was a relatively cool year, with abundant rainfall throughout the vine's growth cycle and below-average summer temperatures. Shortly before harvest, a week of healthy northerly winds helped dry the vines and grapes in Biondi-Santi's high-altitude vineyards. Harvest began on 16 September and continued for eight days, with careful selection of the best bunches.
Vineyard
The 2018 Brunello was produced exclusively from an accurate selection of Sangiovese from selected parcels within Biondi-Santi's proprietary vineyards.
Winemaking
The wine was vinified in vessels of different sizes and materials, including stainless steel, wood and concrete, before ageing in medium and large Slavonian oak barrels.
Producer Tasting Notes
Biondi-Santi: “Considering the weather conditions of the year, it is not surprising if 2018 has given a fragrant and energetic Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino, so well refined and balanced to be defined as pixelated. As soon as you smell the wine you may feel the low presence of alcohol together with a variety of invigorating notes as dried herbs, violet, orange zest, forest berry, Morello cherry and crushed mint. The palate is delicious and succulent, dangerously easy to drink now, but also able to age beautifully, thanks to its bright acidity. A vibrant, juicy wine, which literally dances across the palate, with velvety and polished tannins. A saline mesmerizing touch adds complexity to the finish, remembering us what a wine with ‘sense of place’ means.”
Critic Reviews
Robert Parker The Wine Advocate — 96 Points
Tasted November 2024
Drinking window: 2027–2050.
Falstaff — 95 Points
“Elegant, dark ruby red with subtle brick-red reflections. On the nose, butter cookies, a touch of lovage, rich cherry with subtle hints of iron. Good juiciness and clear fruit on the palate. Slightly broad but ripe tannins. Somewhat vegetal, slightly salty at the back. Currently still somewhat unbalanced and needs time.”
Tasted March 2024
Giuseppe Lauria - Fine Wine Guide — 95–96 Points
Tasted March 2024
Drinking window: 2027–2040.
Producer
Biondi-Santi is one of the historic names of Tuscany and is closely associated with the origins of Brunello di Montalcino. The family's connection with Brunello dates to the 19th century, and Ferruccio Biondi Santi produced the first wine officially labelled “Brunello di Montalcino” in 1888.
The historic Tenuta Greppo estate lies at 564 metres above sea level near Montalcino. Biondi-Santi's vineyards comprise 32 hectares of Sangiovese across five plots, including five hectares planted between 1930 and 1972. The estate has played an important role in the development of Brunello, including the selection of its BBS11 Sangiovese clone, registered by Franco Biondi Santi in 1977.
Biondi-Santi follows a traditional approach centred on Sangiovese, long maceration and maturation in large Slavonian oak rather than new oak. Its Brunellos are renowned for fragrance, freshness, fine tannins, vibrant acidity and the capacity for extended development in bottle.
Specifications
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Vintage: 2018
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Producer: Tenuta Biondi-Santi
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Grape: 100% Sangiovese
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Region: Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Classification: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
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Alcohol: 13.5%
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Sweetness: Dry
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Vinification: Stainless steel, wood and concrete vessels
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Maturation: Medium and large Slavonian oak barrels
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Drinking Window: 2023–2050
