The Story
The Biondi-Santi Tenuta Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 2018 is a refined and linear vintage, released in March 2024. While 2018 was a more challenging and cooler year in Montalcino compared to the powerful 2016, Biondi-Santi utilized extreme selection (reducing production by 20%) to create a wine praised for its "Burgundy-like" elegance and high aromatic lift.
96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Biondi-Santi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino brings us to a new chapter in the estate's history. This is the first vintage made entirely by the new team (under CEO Giampiero Bertolini and Technical Director Federico Radi) following the 2016 acquisition of Biondi-Santi by the Paris-based EPI holding company. It is no doubt an exciting vintage for them, and it also benefitted from renewed oak casks and other important investments. (To date, about half the old wood has been replaced, and they continue to buy 5% to 10% new casks each year going forward.) The 2018 vintage saw above average rain and cooler conditions that led to slow-ripening. The wine is open-knit in texture and a little leaner in consistency, but it shows fresh acidity and pretty notes of violet, wild cherry and blood orange.
Description
The Biondi-Santi Tenuta Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 2018 is a refined and linear vintage, released in March 2024. While 2018 was a more challenging and cooler year in Montalcino compared to the powerful 2016, Biondi-Santi utilized extreme selection (reducing production by 20%) to create a wine praised for its "Burgundy-like" elegance and high aromatic lift.
96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Biondi-Santi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino brings us to a new chapter in the estate's history. This is the first vintage made entirely by the new team (under CEO Giampiero Bertolini and Technical Director Federico Radi) following the 2016 acquisition of Biondi-Santi by the Paris-based EPI holding company. It is no doubt an exciting vintage for them, and it also benefitted from renewed oak casks and other important investments. (To date, about half the old wood has been replaced, and they continue to buy 5% to 10% new casks each year going forward.) The 2018 vintage saw above average rain and cooler conditions that led to slow-ripening. The wine is open-knit in texture and a little leaner in consistency, but it shows fresh acidity and pretty notes of violet, wild cherry and blood orange.
