Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino, 2017, Tuscany, Italy

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Biondi-Santi is perhaps one of the most historic and recognised wine producers in the world. Brunello di Montalcino wines are made by only ~250 winemakers within the boundaries of the Montalcino region. It is a wine style which was originated by Ferrucio Biondi-Santi, the creator of the style, in the late 1800's.

This legendary wine is a "must try" for every wine lover. The 2017 is still very young but ready to drink now for those who want to enjoy it immediately. It will, of course, continue to develop beautifully in bottle for many years to come.

The Wine:

The prestige of The Greppo estate dates back to the 19th Century, with the great wine culture of the family that owned this Estate, whose terroir has an extraordinary vocation for Sangiovese. Clemente began making wine using 100% Sangiovese and passed his wine knowledge to his nephew Ferruccio Biondi Santi, who, in 1888 produced the first bottle of Brunello di Montalcino.

This 150 hectare property has 26 hectares of vineyard split over three sites. The oldest of these plots is Il Greppo, laying at 500 metres above sea level; this is where the winery and house are situated. They also have vines down the hill to the east of Montalcino and to the north, close to Montosoli. Vineyards between 10 and 25 years of age are used for the Brunello. The vines are planted in soils characterised by heavy stone and marl, which helps reduce vigour and aid concentration of flavour in the grapes.

The 2017 vintage was a year characterized by the absence of rain. During the spring we had a late frost followed by a few downpours. The weather remained mild until the end of May which saw a significant rise in temperatures, above the seasonal average. The summer was very hot and dry. Harvest began on September 11th. The 2017 Brunello was produced exclusively with a selection of Sangiovese Grosso coming from our proprietary vineyards. The 2017 Brunello has been vinified in vitrified concrete tanks by using indigenous yeasts, selected in our vineyards. Successively, it was aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 3 years.

Tasting Note:

An encounter of fragrant fruit and balsamic spice, the bouquet of the 2017 Brunello is initially quite timid, gradually revealing the width and depth of its aromatic elegance. Notes of red cherries rise from a bouquet of red berry fruits, accompanied by cool spicy scents and soothing sensations of dried tobacco leaves, licorice root and citrus peel. The palate is surprisingly fragrant with an enviable equilibrium of fine-grained tannins, refreshing acidity and a fruity core. The savoury finish is long and enveloping, releasing subtle hints of thyme and rosemary.

The Facts:

Wine	Brunello di Montalcino
Vintage	2017
Style	Red Wine
Grape Variety	100% Sangiovese
Alcohol Content	13.5%
Closure	Natural Cork
Bottle Size	750ml

What the critics say:

96 Points - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate:

"A delicately sweet note of fresh summer cherry is a precursor to budding complexity and a very articulate bouquet that opens quickly in the glass. Immediately pleasing fruit is a characteristic of the 2017 growing season that had above average temperatures and drought throughout the summer. The resistant 2017 Brunello di Montalcino takes on these challenges without missing a beat. The wine's celebrated acidity and its small berry nuances remain intact. The tannins are silky and the wine's flavours fade slowly even after you have taken your last sip". Drink 2026 – 2045

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:

"The 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino is surprising in its freshness, considering the warmth of the vintage, and speaks to the cooler, northern-facing exposition of the estate. It is refined with ripe red cherry, raspberry, anise, and incense and is fresh with cherry fruit, warming spices, macchia, and herbes de Provence. It is ripe though it maintains a medium frame, with well-managed tannins and balanced acidity. It is a lovely and charming wine and is rather approachable now". Drink 2024-2040.

93 Points - Eric Guido, Vinous:

"The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is a model of grace and refinement, with exotic spice nuances that blow off to reveal wild strawberries, rosemary, dried flowers and worn leather. It’s unbelievably lifted and refined for the vintage, with a wave of saline-tinged red fruits that cascade across a core of zesty acidity. There’s an edginess to the tannins that shows a bit of the warm and dry conditions of the year, yet balance is expertly maintained as the 2017 leaves licorice and bitter cherry notes to fade slowly. I’m impressed, especially considering the extended barrel aging practiced at Biondi Santi". Drink 2025-2033