Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino 2018 marks a pivotal new chapter for one of Tuscany’s most legendary estates. Crafted entirely under the new team led by CEO Giampiero Bertolini and technical director Federico Radi, this vintage marries tradition with a renewed precision and elegance. Benefiting from significant investment in the cellar and updated large oak casks, the 2018 captures the estate’s classic, lifted style in a cooler, more restrained year.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 shows a luminous, medium ruby hue with garnet reflections at the rim, signaling both youth and classic Brunello structure. The nose is refined and aromatic, opening with notes of violet, wild cherry and red currant, followed by hints of blood orange zest, dried rose petals, subtle spice and a gentle earthy undertone. On the palate, this is a more linear, graceful expression of Brunello, with a slightly leaner texture that highlights purity over power. Fresh, vibrant acidity drives flavors of wild cherry, cranberry, pomegranate and citrus peel, framed by fine-grained tannins and a long, sapid finish. Hints of savory herbs and tea leaf emerge with air. While approachable in its youth thanks to its openness and balance, this wine has the structure and acidity to evolve beautifully over the next 10–15 years, gaining complexity and tertiary nuances with cellar time.

Production
Biondi-Santi’s Brunello comes from estate vineyards in Montalcino, planted on well-drained, marl- and limestone-rich soils that contribute to the wine’s hallmark finesse and longevity. The 2018 growing season was cooler and wetter than average, leading to a slower, more measured ripening and a naturally elegant style of Sangiovese (Brunello). Grapes are typically harvested by hand with rigorous selection in the vineyard and again in the cellar. Vinification follows the estate’s time-honored, minimalist approach: fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks, followed by extended aging in large, traditional Slavonian oak casks. In recent years, a program of renewing and refreshing these large casks—replacing roughly half the old wood and adding 5–10% new casks annually—has brought extra precision and purity to the finished wine while preserving its classic character.

Food & Serving
This Brunello’s lifted profile and fresh acidity make it a superb match for classic Tuscan cuisine and refined, savory dishes. Pair it with bistecca alla fiorentina, roast lamb with herbs, braised veal shanks, game birds, mushroom risotto, aged Pecorino Toscano or truffled pasta. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy or Brunello stems to let the aromatics fully unfurl. Decanting for about 1–2 hours in its youth is recommended to soften the tannins and open the bouquet; with additional bottle age, a shorter decant or gentle splash in a carafe will usually suffice.

Producer
Biondi-Santi is the historic estate credited with giving birth to Brunello di Montalcino in the late 19th century, setting the benchmark for ageworthy Sangiovese from Tuscany. Located in the Greppo estate near Montalcino, the winery has long been revered for its uncompromising traditionalism, producing some of Italy’s most collectible and longest-lived reds. Since the acquisition by the Paris-based EPI group in 2016, Biondi-Santi has entered a new era, combining significant investment in vineyard management and cellar upgrades with a deep respect for its heritage. Under the guidance of Giampiero Bertolini and Federico Radi, the estate continues to define the classic, elegant style of Brunello that has made it a reference point in the region and a name of international renown.

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