At a glance

Producer

Biondi Santi

Region

Montalcino, Toscana, Italy

Grape variety

Sangiovese Grosso

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$500-$800 per bottle

Tasting profile

Intense dark cherry and blackberry fruit layered with leather, tobacco, and forest floor notes; firm tannins dominate now.

Evolution: Over next 5-10 years, tannins will soften and tertiary aromas (truffle, dried herbs, spice) will develop.

At peak: Beautifully balanced, silkier tannins, nuanced complexity with a long finish of red fruit and earth.

Structure

Acidity

High, bright acidity providing freshness and longevity

Tannins

Very firm and fine-grained tannins, classic for Brunello Riserva

Alcohol

14-14.5%

Aging potential

40+ years under optimal conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2030 to 2052

Optimal window

2025 to 2055

Current status

Approaching early maturity; still very youthful but drinking well now with aeration

Current condition

Tight tannins, powerful structure, with profound aging potential

The 2015 vintage in Montalcino was excellent with optimal phenolic ripeness and structure, enabling very long aging. Brunello Riserva from Biondi Santi is renowned for longevity, often peaking decades after release.

Food pairing

Ideal with rich Tuscan dishes such as roasted game, grilled lamb, wild mushroom risotto, aged pecorino, and truffle-infused dishes.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften firm tannins and open the wine’s complex bouquet

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Biondi Santi employs careful vineyard management with reduced chemical treatments and promotes soil health and biodiversity; energy and water use optimized but no extensive documented programs

While not certified organic or biodynamic, the estate demonstrates commitment to sustainable viticulture with environmentally conscious farming and heritage preservation. Packaging is relatively traditional glass with minimal lightweighting.