2017 Biondi Santi, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany

Biondi Santi is considered the “original” creator of Brunello. The first recorded mention of a Brunello was Clemente Santi’s award-winning 'select red wine (Brunello) of 1865' from his family’s Greppo estate in Montalcino at a local fair in 1867. The family has produced this wine continuously ever since, and bottles of 1888 Riservas still exist in the family cellars. As Brunello became popular and much more widely produced in the second half of the 20th century, with many producers pushing for shorter aging in smaller oak barrels or the addition of international grapes to the wines, Franco Biondi-Santi remained a staunch advocate of the traditional style of Brunello his family had crafted for over 100 years. Franco Biondi-Santi passed away in 2013 at the age of 91. His son and daughter, Jacopo and Alessandra, now helm the estate. Why do we like it? This is a wine with great texture, sweet fruit all the way over the palate with real drive and grip on the finish. Admirably long. Really very exciting! Pure, fully ripe Brunello. Vigorous and a great balance between fruit and the natural tannin and acidity of the grape. Just glorious! Feel free to age it in the cellar, you will be rewarded!   Grape           Sangiovese Country        Italy                                             Region          Tuscany, Brunello di Montalcino                                Vintage         2017