BIONDI-SANTI
TUSCANY, ITALY 2020
WHY BUY: There are many Brunellos, but there's only one Biondi-Santi, the estate that birthed the first Brunello and that remains the reference point for the varietal, and today’s 100-point Riserva 2019 is Exhibit A of what pedigree and legacy mean. Their Riserva is produced only in truly exceptional vintages, and released in very limited quantities, and of course not every release garners a perfect score. Don’t dally on this, folks. We’re also bringing you their 97-point Brunello di Montalcino, from a stunning 2020 vintage, and a Rosso 2020 that would be a headliner at some other estates. In all three of these wines, the Biondi-Santi signature is unmistakable and irreplicable: that mysterious marriage of terroir specificity and ineffable soul that so many winemakers reach for and miss.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: “A benchmark wine,” Jeb Dunnuck declared, of the 100-point Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019, and "a clear standout of the vintage.” He went on to praise its "gorgeous transparency," a palate that’s "weightless and incredibly precise," and a long, refined finish. Decanter weighed in on the Brunello di Montalcino 2020, and was similarly taken; it a "superb effort,” it wrote, in a 97-point rave, with "bright, energetic fruit" and "fine tannins." The Rosso di Montalcino 2022 earned James Suckling’s admiration for its "complex aromas," its "dense, velvety tannins soaked in fruit," its "medium body and refreshing lifted acidity," and a finish that's "long and savory."
OUR TASTING NOTES:
-The Riserva 2019 is (and we say this without hyperbole) the reason people give their lives over to this grape. Powerful and intense, it comes across somehow as almost weightless — a wine so nimble-footed, so full of grace, and so precise in its delineation that you find yourself paying attention the way you do to a layered piece of music. The finish is long, sustained, and quietly regal, and it does not so much end as recede.
-The Brunello 2020 is a more direct expression, a wine of assurance and focus. Cranberry and cherry drive the core, but there's something deeper at work here: a mineral intensity that builds as the wine opens, and aromatics that keep shifting as you drink. For all its density, it never feels ponderous.
-The Rosso 2022 pulses with brightness and energy, and offers a complexity that entirely belies its status as the "entry" wine. Its tannins are surprisingly soft, the acidity is deftly handled, and the finish goes on for far longer than it has any right to.
THE STORY: If you want to understand the greatness of Biondi-Santi, you need only listen to Franco Biondi-Santi, whose grandfather virtually invented Brunello di Montalcino, and who often touches the poetical in his words: "Nature is capable of creating great things; you just have to know how to wait." It's all there, in those 15 words: the recognition of the totality of terroir, the appreciation of the balance of nature, the understanding of the need for patience. Franco might no longer be with us, but many of the methods handed down to him by his grandfather are the same today as they were then. At the same time, the 7th generation of Biondi-Santis has turned increasingly to science to protect its vines and maintain vineyard health over the years. That an icon like this should refuse to rest on its vast reputation but continue to try to get better … it's both telling and thrilling.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH: To us, the Riserva 2019 is best appreciated solo, without accompaniment, the better to reflect upon its varied and captivating nuances. The Brunello 2020 will prove the perfect dance partner, however, for an array of creamy pastas, light braises and stews, and aged cheeses. As for the Rosso 2022, it shines with everything from simply grilled meats to pizzas to burgers.
FUN FACT: When the Italians claimed the European Championship in 2021, they toasted their victory with none other than a bottle of Biondi-Santi: the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino. Truly, a drink of champions.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure these legendary bottles today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2026 (Dec.21st - Mar. 20th, 2027). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in CT, IL, KS, KY, MI, MO, NY, OK, or TN, or WA. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026.