Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1971
SKU:
SGD 1,125.00
SGD 1,125.00
per item
Vintage: 1971
Region: Montalcino, Italy
Producer: Biondi Santi
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino, Italy
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Drinking Window: 1980-2035
Scores (if you care about): 97/100 Decanter; 94/100 Antonio Galloni/Vinous
17.5/20 Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com,
"Biondi-Santi is the royal family of Montalcino. The Biondi-Santis have been cultivating grapes and making wine here since at least the mid-1800’s. In the late 1800s, Ferruccio Biondi-Santi, the son of Clemente Santi and Jacopo Biondi, isolated a clone of Sangiovese, known today as Sangiovese Grosso, and began vinifying it on its own, without white grapes, as was then the custom. In doing so, Ferruccio Biondi-Santi invented the wine known today as Brunello di Montalcino. Thus begins the modern-day history of Montalcino’s most famous wine."
"...Biondi-Santi’s Brunello won awards, was served at important state events and had gained international recognition well before most of the Montalcino estates we know today even existed. For most of the last several decades, Il Greppo was managed by, Ferruccio’s grandson, Franco Biondi-Santi. It’s still hard to believe that Franco Biondi-Santi, the patriarch of Montalcino, passed away in early 2013. The Biondi-Santi Brunellos are known for their sense of classic austerity, and, above all else, their ability to age. Indeed, even at 30, 40 and 50 years of age, the wines retain searing acidity and considerable tannin. talian wines in general are meant for the dinner table, and that is certainly the case here. The flagship Riserva is sourced from the estate’s oldest vines, which sit at 500 meters above sea level on soils that consist mostly of galestro, a mix of rocks and sand that is characteristic of certain spots in Tuscany. The Riserva is fermented in wood uprights and aged in neutral oak casks. During the era in which these wines were made, the malolactic fermentations were spontaneous and mostly occurred in the spring following the harvest. Stylistically, these fine, mature Riservas show the wilder, more powerful side of Sangiovese."
Above are excerpts from a brilliant write up by Antonio Galloni from his tasting of the epic vintages. Here's the link to the full article. (May require a Vinous subscription)
Tasting Notes:
“This was the first vintage overseen by Franco Biondi Santi, and it was an outstanding harvest at Il Greppo, with a rainy spring followed by a warm summer and mild September. The bottle, following the estate’s tradition of 'ricolmatura' for the old vintages, was refilled twice: in 1987 and in 2001. The still-vivid ruby colour with garnet rim announces the impressive freshness of the wine. The nose is scented with an old aristocratic style dominated by pot-pourri but also encompassing fruits, black pepper and tarmac, with flinty minerality in depth. On the palate it’s lively and on the cutting edge of bitterness, yet the toasted peanut finish, integrated with a sweet cherry kernel flavour, brings it back to perfect balance.” 97/100, Aldo Fiordelli, Decanter, Feb’2020
"A wine of total polish and sensuality, the 1971 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva caresses the palate with dark red stone fruits, wild cherries, flowers, smoke, licorice and distinctly ferrous notes. The 1971 isn’t as big or powerful as the 1975, but it is a bit longer on the palate, more subtle and extremely refined. Crushed flowers, tobacco, mint and dried cherries linger on the silky finish. Although still quite fresh, I expect the 1971 will offer its best drinking over the next decade or so. Tasted next to the 1975, the 1971 Riserva is quite a bit more feminine and delicate. It, too, only grows with time in the glass. Reconditioned June 14, 2001." 94/100, Antonio Galloni/Vinous, Mar 2015
"A shade deeper ruby than the 1975 with a bright, bricky rim. Brooding sweetness on the nose with hints of gingerbread. Layers of complex, waxy fruit and lots of depth here. Was this a warmer vintage than the 1975? The nose is quite full on, but the palate is completely different: clean, linear acidity dominates the attack followed by a fine, tannic grip on the back palate. Very brisk and subdued finish. This is still all about texture. Full of life and far from declining." 17.5/20 Walter Speller, Apr 2015
"...Biondi-Santi’s Brunello won awards, was served at important state events and had gained international recognition well before most of the Montalcino estates we know today even existed. For most of the last several decades, Il Greppo was managed by, Ferruccio’s grandson, Franco Biondi-Santi. It’s still hard to believe that Franco Biondi-Santi, the patriarch of Montalcino, passed away in early 2013. The Biondi-Santi Brunellos are known for their sense of classic austerity, and, above all else, their ability to age. Indeed, even at 30, 40 and 50 years of age, the wines retain searing acidity and considerable tannin. talian wines in general are meant for the dinner table, and that is certainly the case here. The flagship Riserva is sourced from the estate’s oldest vines, which sit at 500 meters above sea level on soils that consist mostly of galestro, a mix of rocks and sand that is characteristic of certain spots in Tuscany. The Riserva is fermented in wood uprights and aged in neutral oak casks. During the era in which these wines were made, the malolactic fermentations were spontaneous and mostly occurred in the spring following the harvest. Stylistically, these fine, mature Riservas show the wilder, more powerful side of Sangiovese."
Above are excerpts from a brilliant write up by Antonio Galloni from his tasting of the epic vintages. Here's the link to the full article. (May require a Vinous subscription)
Tasting Notes:
“This was the first vintage overseen by Franco Biondi Santi, and it was an outstanding harvest at Il Greppo, with a rainy spring followed by a warm summer and mild September. The bottle, following the estate’s tradition of 'ricolmatura' for the old vintages, was refilled twice: in 1987 and in 2001. The still-vivid ruby colour with garnet rim announces the impressive freshness of the wine. The nose is scented with an old aristocratic style dominated by pot-pourri but also encompassing fruits, black pepper and tarmac, with flinty minerality in depth. On the palate it’s lively and on the cutting edge of bitterness, yet the toasted peanut finish, integrated with a sweet cherry kernel flavour, brings it back to perfect balance.” 97/100, Aldo Fiordelli, Decanter, Feb’2020
"A wine of total polish and sensuality, the 1971 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva caresses the palate with dark red stone fruits, wild cherries, flowers, smoke, licorice and distinctly ferrous notes. The 1971 isn’t as big or powerful as the 1975, but it is a bit longer on the palate, more subtle and extremely refined. Crushed flowers, tobacco, mint and dried cherries linger on the silky finish. Although still quite fresh, I expect the 1971 will offer its best drinking over the next decade or so. Tasted next to the 1975, the 1971 Riserva is quite a bit more feminine and delicate. It, too, only grows with time in the glass. Reconditioned June 14, 2001." 94/100, Antonio Galloni/Vinous, Mar 2015
"A shade deeper ruby than the 1975 with a bright, bricky rim. Brooding sweetness on the nose with hints of gingerbread. Layers of complex, waxy fruit and lots of depth here. Was this a warmer vintage than the 1975? The nose is quite full on, but the palate is completely different: clean, linear acidity dominates the attack followed by a fine, tannic grip on the back palate. Very brisk and subdued finish. This is still all about texture. Full of life and far from declining." 17.5/20 Walter Speller, Apr 2015