IN BREVE
- Tenuta Greppo is historically linked to the Biondi Santi family and today belongs to the Descours family.
- Biondi Santi produced some of the first Brunellos as early as 1865. In 1888, it labeled the first bottle as “Brunello di Montalcino.”
- On the market in 2025: Rosso di Montalcino 2023, Brunello di Montalcino 2020, Riserva 2019, and “La Storica” 1983.
- The Brunello di Montalcino Docg Riserva 1983, a historic vintage just released on the market, highlights the greatness of a winery that is a symbol of Montalcino.
- Biondi Santi releases bottles of historic vintages every year, with particular attention to quality and elegance.
Tenuta Greppo is the illustrious and noble name that stands, in capital letters, beneath the heraldic coat of arms, on the two pillars of the grand entrance gate that slowly opens. A long avenue, lined with rows of cypresses, leads toward the historic buildings that once belonged to the Biondi Santi family. Today they belong, together with the entire estate, to the Descours family, which acquired it in 2017.
FROM THE FIRST BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO TO THE NEW BIONDI SANTI WINES
This is still home to one of the most prestigious wineries in Montalcino. The one that, you might say, invented Brunello. One of the first wines recognized and identified with the name “Brunello” dates back to 1865, thanks to Clemente Santi. And in 1888, Ferruccio Biondi Santi produced the first bottle labeled as “Brunello di Montalcino.”
The discovery of the new vintages soon to be released on the market takes place in a small and understated tasting room. Biondi Santi releases its wines one year later than required by the regulations, unlike the vast majority of Montalcino producers. Now it’s the turn of Rosso di Montalcino 2023, Brunello di Montalcino 2020, and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019. A trio enriched by a late release: Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1983 “La Storica.”
Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2023, Biondi Santi
Fairly cold winter. The April frost caused no problems for the vineyards, while the heavy rains in May and June contributed to the proliferation of damaging downy mildew. The summer, hot, saw many days with temperatures above 30 degrees. Late August was characterized by less heat, allowing for optimal ripening. The wines have both fruit and gentleness, thanks to grapes with more pulp compared to the previous two vintages.
With a light, highly luminous ruby red color, the Rosso di Montalcino Doc 2023 from Biondi Santi is characterized by notes of ripe fruit accompanied by balsamic, slightly spicy, and floral hints. Notes that are coherently found on the palate, guided by good persistence and excellent drinkability. The duality of the vintage is expressed in the freshness that remains prominent, in the silky tannin, and in the savory finish with Mediterranean echoes.
Brunello di Montalcino Docg 2020, Biondi Santi
Spring rains made the growth of the vines regular. The few days of scorching heat brought the grapes to maturity under conditions of regular humidity. The 2020 wines are gentle and of great complexity. With references to a classic style, in which notes of licorice and fresh root accompany a well-integrated tannin.
Fairly light and luminous garnet color. The austere and subtle nose offers notes of root, bark, and balsamic hints. Characterized by a savory, briny vein and a subtle tannin, this Brunello di Montalcino, with moderate acidity, presents itself as juicy and full. Pleasant right away, but with good prospects.
Brunello di Montalcino Docg Riserva 2019, Biondi Santi
Excellent vintage from an agronomic standpoint with rainfall in April and May, heat from June. Only two temperature peaks above 35 degrees. Optimal humidity. A vintage with tannic depth, Mediterranean and balsamic, with tertiary hints of undergrowth and blood orange. A wine to keep in the cellar, with great aging potential over time.
The Brunello di Montalcino Docg Riserva 2029 from Biondi Santi presents a fairly light, luminous garnet color to the eye. Hints of citrus, undergrowth, black spices, and ripe fruit on the nose. A dense yet elegant wine in which toasted notes accompany a full and reactive tannin that provides volume. Good acidity that elegantly guides the long persistence of the mineral finish, with fine toasting and fruit.
Brunello di Montalcino Docg Riserva 1983 “La Storica”
Biondi Santi customarily releases, each year, a few hundred bottles of a historic vintage preserved in its cellars. In 2025, the chosen vintage is 1983. A beautiful vintage with a mild spring accompanied by rains and a summer that was not hot but dry. An early harvest for the time. Full garnet color for the Brunello di Montalcino Docg Riserva 1983 “La Storica.”
The nose opens with notes of coffee, roasting, milk chocolate followed by dark ripe fruit, macerated flowers, and plum. A wonderfully shifting bouquet. The tasting surprises and fascinates, linear in its vibrant freshness. The palate, with very fine tannin, carries a barely hinted boisé note. Then citrus again and balsamic notes. Fleshy at mid-palate, rich and intact. The acidity, elegant and with a long trail, together with a refined savory note, accompanies the long persistence.
