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| ~ The late Franco Biondi Santi inspecting a bottle from the 1888 vintage in his cellar ~ |
The long, proud, aristocratic story filled with tradition and passion begins in 1865 when Clemente Santi, the great, great Grandfather of Franco Biondi Santi began making “Select Red Wine” on his farm Tenuta Greppo in Montalcino.
So inextricably linked to Montalcino is the name Franco Biondi Santi that it’s easy to forget the familial history that realized the potential greatness of Brunello. Clemente Santi, Ferruccio Biondi Santi, Tancredi Biondi Santi, Franco Biondi Santi, and now Jacopo Biondi Santi and his sister Alessandra. Together they form an iconic family that has given the world Brunello and continues the proud work of Tenuta Greppo today.
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| ~ The Biondi Santi cellars hold wines over 100 years old. Tancredi Biondi Santi is credited with being the first Italian wine producer to begin “topping up” older vintages of his wines ~ |
This is the first in a series of articles on the Biondi Santi Brunello that we’ll be writing over the winter. The wine examined will span 5 amazing vintages from 2006-2010 all created by the hands of Franco Biondi Santi. Today, we’re focusing on the 2008.
In the past, I’ve been critical of the Brunello from Biondi Santi. I’ve tasted many vintages – always at the hands of others or during Trade Tastings, and to me, they always seemed dried out or austere. I’m not sure what has changed but I’ve noticed a difference since the 2004 vintage. The wines are clearly fresher and livelier.
The 2008 Biondi Santi Brunello is no exception. After receiving thoughtful instructions from Tenuta Greppo, we opened the wine 6 hours before dinner, poured about two glasses worth into a small decanter and allowed the remainder to rest in the bottle. The wine is a beautiful ruby to violet color with no trace of fading at the rim. Initially upon opening you could sense the vast array of aromas that were present.
By dinner, fresh flowers, rose petals, tea leaves, warm crushed berry and tobacco were combining nicely. It’s very typical of the vintage as a whole. On the palate, this is an elegant, somewhat austere, Brunello with lovely wild berry character framed by chestnut, fennel and spice. Medium to full bodied, the defining character of this wine rest in its impeccable balance. Trails off nicely to dried herb laced, soft tannins. 91 points. Average Retail around $110. Disclosure: This bottle was a producer provided sample.
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| ~ The 2008 Biondi Santi Brunello is a wonderful example of the vintage ~ |
The legend lives…………
Great history and photographs!
It is surely a historic estate. Their wines are very good, but I normally don't perceive them as tops for the type. That could just be my palate and maybe the price which drives some level of expectation. I've got several more vintages to work through, including the 2010, so we'll see what comes of it.