IT BEGAN IN THE LATE 1800S with Ferruccio Biondi Santi, who built on the work begun by his grandfather, Clemente Santi, and produced the first Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino. Today, seven generations later, the Biondi Santi family still produces the wine at its Tenuta Greppo estate in the Montalcino commune of Tuscany, with the wine still considered among the greatest of Tuscan wines.
Brunello di Montalcino is a product of the Sangiovese Grosso grape, generally recognized as resulting in a long-lived wine. Biondi-Santi’s Brunello di Montalcino is particularly known to age well into the decades, especially its riserva, the version into which the family puts much of its effort. The riserva, the Biondi Santis say, represents the heart of the family, and they retained the wine’s style throughout the years, producing its riservas from the family’s oldest vine- yards. As might be expected for wines of this caliber, Biondi-Santi is not inexpensive, ranging, depending on the vintage, $150–600 or more.
At a recent dinner with the current head of the wine company, seventh-generation Tancredi Biondi Santi, we began the meal with his Brunello di Montalcino 2013 and 2012. The 2013 displayed the wine’s general finesse and elegance plus a sturdy yet smooth structure and a most appealing taste. Even at this age, it displayed the promise of a long life. The 2012 displayed hints of ripe berries, cherry and herbs and showed balance and refinement.
As the meal progressed, we moved to the riservas. Biondi- Santi’s 2011 Riserva proved a magnificent blend of ripe fruit aromas and bright acidity, a wine that can be enjoyed now and will no doubt mature into an even more satisfying wine.
The 2006, a particularly good vintage, displayed the scent of wild berries blended with spice, an exceptionally well- balanced, delicious wine.
And finally, the extraordinary 1995 — elegant, complex, well-structured, sumptuous and memorable.
As an elder Biondi Santi once said, time can be a wine’s best friend or its worst enemy. Considering the many empty glasses at the end of the dinner, time and Biondi-Santi wines definitely have become the best of friends.
Read This Next
Weathering The Storm
October 2019
Oct 9, 2019
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedFebruary 2025
Feb 8, 2025“m/s Paul Gauguin” Multimillion-Dollar Refurbishment
The 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin ship will undergo an extensive refurbishment over a seven-week period in Singapore between February and March 2025, introducing sustainable technology upgrades, a contemporary new look for Le Grill restaurant and eight new connecting staterooms.
Sponsored Content
Experience Next-Level Travel with Condor Airlines’ New A330neo Fleet
Condor Airlines completely renewed its long-haul fleet, featuring its new Airbus A330neo. Designed to elevate your travel experience, the A330neo is equipped with cutting-edge technology and offers unrivaled comfort, ensuring an exceptional journey for every passenger. With its striking signature striped livery, the A330neo not only promises a memorable flight but also enhances the start of your vacation from the moment you step aboard.
February 2025
Feb 8, 2025Fort Lauderdale’s New Pier Sixty-Six Wows Waterside
Since the 1960s, a multi-spired tower and erstwhile hotel, part of a fuel dock owned by the Phillips 66 petroleum company, dominated a stretch of Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal waterfront as the skyline’s most iconic — if quirky — landmark. But in January 2025, with the unveiling of a new resort at the heart of a $1 billion redevelopment project here, Pier Sixty-Six and its mid-century masterpiece tower were reborn as a waterfront destination, remaking the beloved neighborhood just blocks from the beach. The 32-acre project features a luxury resort and residences; multiple waterfront culinary venues (with more rolling out throughout 2025); and a world-class mega-yacht marina befitting of the title “Yachting Capital of the World,” complete with 164 deepwater slips for yachts up to 400 feet long.
Daily
Feb 7, 2025Shanghai’s New Bund Area Emerges as Global Destination
The New Bund area, in Shanghai’s Qiantan International Business District, is emerging as the city’s fastest growing cultural and business destination. Located within a cluster of shiny new corporate and residential skyscrapers, museums, galleries, cultural centers, and hotels located on the bank of the Huangpu River, The New Bund attracts art and design enthusiasts, financiers and entrepreneurs from across Shanghai, China and the world.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Press Releases
Feb 7, 2025Join Us to Celebrate the 13th Annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards
Sun, sea and sand beckon! Join us at this year’s Leisure Lifestyle Awards in Miami, Florida. Global Traveler invites you to celebrate the best in travel for the 13th annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards in this vibrant beach city. What better way to sit back and relax than at an event honoring those who have mastered the art of leisure?
5 Romantic Hotels for Valentine’s Day in Europe
Daily
Feb 6, 2025Daily
Feb 5, 2025British Pullman, A Belmond Train Launches Michelin-Starred Chef Dinner Series
The British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England recently announced its latest culinary offering, the Celebrity Chef Dinner Series. The initiative launches with four journeys from April 18, each with a new menu designed by some of the United Kingdom’s most renowned Michelin-starred chefs, including Andrew Wong, Atul Kochhar, Phil Howard and Theo Randall.
Sponsored Content
Discover the Pristine Beauty of the Sporades Islands
Nestled in the northwest Aegean Sea, the Sporades Islands are a hidden gem of Greece, offering breathtaking natural beauty and unique experiences for every traveler. Comprised of four main islands — Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros — this island cluster is renowned for its lush pine forests, crystal-clear waters and idyllic beaches.
February 2025
Feb 5, 2025Cruise Between Two Oceans on the Incredible Panama Canal
As we cruised through Lake Gatún, gliding by islands covered with thick vegetation while tropical birds flew overhead, it was hard to believe we were in the midst of a manmade feat of engineering. As we hit the locks to bring us into the Caribbean, however, we could have leaned out and touched the concrete walls as our small ship slowly stepped down to sea level.
ShareThis