2022 Biondi-Santi Rosso di Montalcino

When it comes to Brunello, there is Biondi-Santi, and then there is everyone else. While most legendary wine regions evolved over centuries of collective effort, Brunello di Montalcino was essentially the "invention" of this single estate. In the late 1800s, while the rest of Tuscany was focused on high-volume blends meant for immediate drinking, Ferruccio Biondi-Santi made the radical choice to bottle 100% Sangiovese and age it for years in large Slavonian oak. This wasn't just a stylistic preference; it was the birth of the appellation itself. Under the current direction of Federico Radi, the winemaking has seen a subtle refinement, focusing on vineyard precision and slightly more supple textures, without abandoning the structural tension that makes these wines some of the longest-lived reds in Italy. For the collector, these releases represent the traditional benchmark: they are lean, savory, and aromatically complex wines that prioritize elegance and transparency over power.

Harvested during the estate's earliest-ever picking window (commencing August 31st), the 2022 Rosso is the result of a hot, dry vintage mitigated by well-timed late-August rainfall. The fruit was sourced from proprietary vineyards and aged for 12 months in Slavonian oak, resulting in a wine that balances the warmth of the year with the estate's hallmark tension and refined tannins.

Other Reviews....
A super-restrained wine showing complex aromas of rhubarb, strawberries, violets, raspberries and blood oranges. The attack is quite ripe, with dense, velvety tannins soaked in fruit, a medium body and refreshing lifted acidity. The finish is long and savory. Drink or hold.
94 points
Aldo Fiordelli - JamesSuckling.com

The earliest harvest ever at Biondi-Santi (starting 31 August) followed a warm spring and hot summer with some rain, giving optimal growing conditions. Viticulture and winemaking director Federico Radi describes the estate's Rosso as 'our running back wine', for its big-boned yet agile structure. Approachable yet still serious, it's dominated by succulent strawberry, red cherry and blood orange, aromatic star anise and vibrant acidity. Grapes are sourced from the youngest vineyards across the property and the wine is aged for 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels. Drink 2025-2030.
93 points
Tina Gellie - Decanter