Wine Advisor
Biondi Santi, Rosso di Montalcino 2018
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Description
A wine of fruit and vibrancy, the Biondi-Santi Rosso paves the way for the Brunello. For Biondi-Santi, the Rosso has always been a special wine, following a specific idea of making a red wine which reflects the signature style of our high-altitude vineyards with a vibrant freshness and a structure, which permits the wine to age, but which is driven by a distinct fruity character and is thoroughly enjoyable at a young age. Traditionally, the Rosso is produced from our youngest vines, and from those vineyard plots which underline the fruitiness. It is fermented in cement vats and has an ageing in oak which is shorter than that of the Brunello, 12 months. This wine was originally known as the Biondi-Santi Brunello “white label”, but became the estate’s Rosso in 1983, when the Rosso di Montalcino DOC was established.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Elegant, graceful and fine, the Biondi-Santi 2018 Rosso di Montalcino offers a delicate approach to the senses and it spreads over the palate with polished and silky intensity. The acidity is elevated in this vintage. A handful of historic producers in Montalcino are bringing the Rosso category up to the next level, and the venerable house of Biondi-Santi is one of them. This was a somewhat unusual vintage with prolonged cool spells alternating with moments of intense heat. However, this wine shows even ripening and is quite vibrant and tangy in terms of its acidity. In spectacular Sangiovese style, the wine ends with lingering tones of wild cherry, sweet earth, potting soil and perfumed violet.
Reviewed by: Eric Guido
A bright, vibrant red in the glass, the 2018 Rosso di Montalcino takes its time, slowly unfolding to show pretty roses and hints of cherry, leather and Tuscan dust. It’s silky and caressing on the palate, revealing outstanding purity with a vivid display of wild strawberry and minerals. The 2018 then takes a turn toward the savory side, becoming quite mineral yet remaining juicy and remarkably fresh for such a young Rosso. While this is a bit of a departure from the typical “Baby Brunello” style of the Biondi-Santi Rosso, I find it quite attractive and a nice option for enjoying the house style without buying up to the bigger wines.
About the Producer
The history of the estate dates back to 1840, when Caterina Santi, the daughter of the Santi family, married Jacopo Biondi of the Biondi family, and the two families' premises were merged. The two families merged and began to cultivate the grapes and make the wine that became Château Biondi. The winery was later taken over by Ferruccio Biondi Santi, son of Caterina and Jacopo, who officially changed the name of the estate to Biondi Santi. The Brunello variety is essentially a clone of Sangiovese, but is larger, more tannic and produces a more layered wine. The complexity and elegance of this variety, which is suitable for long-term ageing, makes it a masterpiece of Italian fine wine. The vineyards of Biante Sandi are located at the highest altitude in the hills of Montalcino, with frequent fog on the hillside, which gives them the advantage of not only very good land but also altitude. All Brunello di Montalcino wines are made from grapes sourced from vines that are over 10 years old (25 years old for the Reserve) in the vineyard. After fermentation, the wines are first stored in Slovenian oak barrels for three years and then aged in the bottle for six months before being released for sale.
