Biondi Santi: Wine Styles, 10 Great Bottles to Buy in 2024

Biondi Santi is the most revered winery in Italy’s Montalcino, credited for turning the Brunello di Montalcino wine into a global rockstar.

This elegant, long-lived Tuscan wine became a huge success in London in the 1960s - loved even by Queen Elizabeth II. This spurred further international attention on this traditionalist estate.

So, which are the best Biondi Santi Brunello Di Montalcino wines for your cellar?

This article explores the iconic winery - it’s winemaking process, wine styles, 10 best wines, and dynamic history. We’ll also share how you can easily add them to your wine collection.

A Quick Glimpse Into The Iconic Biondi Santi

Biondi Santi, a Tuscan wine producer, has been making stunning wines for seven generations. This winery created the iconic Brunello di Montalcino wine, one of the most revered wines of this appellation.

The Biondi Santi il Greppo estate covers 31 hectares of vineyards located around Montalcino - a 30 mins drive from the town of Montepulciano.

Biondi Santi only cultivates the Sangiovese grape varietal and crafts three stellar wines: 

• Rosso di Montalcino
• Brunello di Montalcino Annata
• Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

5 More Interesting Facts About Biondi Santi

• Biondi Santi Riserva wines of 1888 and 1891 are the oldest bottles of Brunello vintage wine.
• During World War II, Franco Biondi Santi and his father (the 4th and 5th generations of the family) walled up the old Riservas to protect it from the invading army.
• Biondi Santi is the only Italian winery that offers to top up its customers’ old Riservas with Riserva wines from the same vintages.
• In 1990 Franco Biondi Santi led a successful campaign to block a dump planned for the outskirts of Montalcino that would’ve endangered Brunello production.
• Franco Biondi Santi refrained from using chemical fertilizers in his vineyard to keep his vines healthy in the long run.

Terroir And Winemaking At Biondi Santi 

The main estate of Biondi Santi, “Tenuta il Greppo” - is a stone’s throw away from the town of Montalcino. 

The il Greppo estate is located at an altitude of 564 meters above sea level. This is where you’ll find their main vineyard along with their fermentation and aging cellars.

The Sangiovese grapes are harvested early using traditional vinicultural methods to maintain their freshness. 

Wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts in cement or Slavonian oak barrels. They’re further aged in large casks of Slavonian oak, followed by long bottle aging. 

A Biondi Santi wine has a firm tannic structure when young, which transforms into a fully captivating wine as it evolves. 

Let’s take a closer look at these magnificent wine styles.

The Elegant Wine Styles of Biondi Santi

The three wines of Biondi Santi are enthralling - all a hundred percent Sangiovese.

1. Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

This award-winning wine is the creme de la creme of all Biondi Santi wines. Montalcino Riserva is aged 36 months in Slavonian oak casks and produced only in the most exceptional harvest years. 

Made from the oldest vines of the il Greppo estate, the Biondi Santi Riserva wine is known for its age-worthiness and can be cellared for decades.

2. Brunello di Montalcino Annata

The Brunello Annata is made from vines between 10 to 25 years old and aged for 36 months in Slavonian oak casks. The Annata retains its remarkable quality for 40 years after bottling.

3. Rosso di Montalcino

Also known as Rosso di Montalcino 'White Label', it is sourced from younger vines and is aged for 12 months in Slavonian oak casks.

Rosso di Montalcino is a bold and structured red wine, loved for its fruitiness and vibrancy.

4. Fascia Rossa

Fascia Rossa is another beautiful red wine that was only produced in 2014. 

Fun fact: 2014 was a cold, wet year, and the winery could not produce Brunello wines. The best grapes from the lot went into the production of this wine instead. 

The wine was fermented with indigenous yeast in Slavonian oak barrels, followed by 12-month aging in Slavonian oak. It has copious aromas of red fruit, red cherry, and a soft fruity palate. 

Let’s look at some of the most captivating wines produced by the winery.

10 Exceptional Biondi Santi Wines To Buy In 2024(Including Tasting Notes, Prices)

Here's a list of Biondi Santi wines you should consider buying for your cellar:

1. 1945 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy

This Italian Brunello made from the Sangiovese Grosso grape varietal is a bold and mature red wine. The 1945 Montalcino Riserva vintage has elegant aromas of red berry, raspberry, and prunes that remind you of a Madeira or Sherry.

Price of 1945 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy: $4,318

2. 1955 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy

This Montalcino Riserva red wine has an intense bouquet of mushrooms, leather, and tobacco. 

The palate is a harmonious blend of licorice, sour red cherry, and spicy notes. This Riserva vintage has firm tannins and a powerful lingering finish. 

Price of 1955 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy: $3,037

3. 1990 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy

The red Tuscan blend from Biondi Santi is a complex wine with copious aromas of red fruit, chocolate, and sour red cherry. 

This Biondi Santi Brunello has a sweet fruity palate with firm tannin, bright acidity, and a slightly drying long finish. 

Price of 1990 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy: $1,112

4. 1975 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy

A classic Montalcino Riserva, this Brunello vintage is a garnet red wine with a nose of minerals, sour cherry, tobacco, and leather. 

This Tuscan wine has a captivating palate of licorice, red berry, dried herbs, and mint that ends with an excellent finish. 

Price of 1975 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy: $1,097

5. 1983 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy

The 1983 Annata made from Sangiovese Grosso grapes has a nose of dark fruit, forest floor, and minerals. 

It has a very intense structure with dominant red cherry and red fruit tasting notes, complemented by its vibrant acidity. 

Price of 1983 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy: $800

6. 1961 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy

This red wine has sweet fruity aromas of ripe plums and dark berries with earthy undertones. The palate has a lovely core of fruit and subtle notes of vanilla.

It strikes the perfect balance between vibrant acidity and firm tannins. 

Price of 1961 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy: $770

7. 1985 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy

This Italian wine has a lovely nose of cherries, rose petals, and fragrant spices. The palate has a vibrant acidity with tasting notes of rich dark fruit and subtle hints of minerals.

It has a long and pleasant finish, with a quiet kiss of spice at the end.  

Price of 1985 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy: $340

8. 2013 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany, Italy

A young and delicious red Tuscan, this vintage has sweet fruity aromas of red cherry and black fruit with background notes of tobacco and dried herbs. 

This Biondi Santi wine has a lean structure with medium acidity and chewy tannin.

Price of 2013 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany, Italy: $111

9. 2016 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany, Italy

This Tuscan wine has a gorgeous bouquet of sweet red fruit, violets, and spice. The palate has tasting notes of cherry fruit, gravel, and a vibrant acidity.

Price of 2016 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany, Italy: $95

10. 2014 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Fascia Rossa Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany, Italy

This elegant ruby red Biondi Santi wine has an intoxicating bouquet of black pepper, cinnamon, and licorice backed by a vibrant acidity. 

The palate is soft, with supple tannins and a bewitching spicy finish. 

Price of 2014 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Fascia Rossa Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany, Italy: $67

Let’s look at the investment potential of these wines.

Should You Invest In Biondi Santi Wines?

Biondi Santi produces only around 7000 cases annually, and demand for these spectacular wines is high.

Biondi Santi’s Riserva wines can age gracefully for over a century. The 1955 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva was voted as one of Wine Spectator’s greatest wines of all time. The 1975 vintage was included amongst the ‘50 Great Wines of Italy’ by Decanter magazine. 

Moreover, the steady appreciation in the value of Biondi Santi’s wines has captured the attention of serious collectors and wine lovers. For example,

• The price of the 1993 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata increased by 41% from $183 to $259 in a year (2020 to 2021.)
• The 1982 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva grew by 27% from $720 to $919 during the same period.

If you’re considering adding some of the older vintages of Brunello Montalcino Riserva - look out for the 1995, 1982, 1975, and 1971 vintages. 

The Annata wines from Biondi Santi can also age gracefully for decades. Some good Annata vintages to keep in your cellar include the 2001, 2000, 1998, and 1997 vintages.

Another way to experience the beauty of Biondi Santi wine is through the more inexpensive Rossi di Montalcino. The 2016 vintage received a score of 95 from both Robert Parker and the Wine Enthusiast.

So, what’s the easiest way to invest in a gorgeous Biondi Santi wine from the comfort of your home?

The smartest way to invest in the wines of Biondi Santi or other rare and fine wines from across the globe is through a trustedonline wine investment company like Vinovest.

Invest In Biondi Santi and Other Wines Through Vinovest

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If you’re still curious about the origin story of this Biondi Santi family winery, read on:

A Brief History Of Biondi Santi

The Biondi Santi label emerged in the late 19th century when Clement Santi, a respected scientist, wanted to create an age-worthy wine using the Sangiovese grape varietal (known locally as Brunello.) 

He taught the winemaking craft to his grandson Ferruccio Biondi Santi. Ferruccio identified a distinctive clone of the Sangiovese grape (known today as Sangiovese Grosso or BBS11 clone.) 

He became the first winemaker to use only Sangiovese grapes for Brunello wines and worked tirelessly to combat the phylloxera threat. 

In 1922, Ferruccio’s son, Tancredi, assumed control of the Biondi Santi family estate and redefined the standards for a Brunello wine. 

Tancredi Biondi Santi commissioned Vittorio Zani – a prominent Montalcino artist, to create the elegant black label we see today. This packaging set Biondi Santi apart from the other brands of Italian wine.

The estate was then passed to Tancredi’s son - Franco Biondi Santi, regarded as one of the greatest winemakers in Italy. 

With Franco’s death in 2013, the estate was inherited by his son Jacopo. Jacopo also owned another winery in the Montalcino zone - Castello Di Montepo, located in the lower Maremma farmlands.

In 2017, Jacopo Biondi Santi sold a majority stake in the historic Biondi Santi Montalcino winery to France's Charles Heidsieck.

Add An Elegant Biondi Santi To Your Cellar

Biondi Santi has built a reputation for crafting powerful yet delicate wines that can age well over several decades.

If you’re looking to add a prestigious Biondi Santi to your cellar, look no further - Vinovest’s got you covered!

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