Biondi Santi, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2010

James Suckling: Brunello 2010 Vintage 'A vintage of a lifetime' Jan 2015

"The year 2010 for Brunello di Montalcino is the greatest modern vintage of Italy's most famous red wine region. Never have the wines been so profound in quality, character, and quantity from the best hillside vineyards of Montalcino."

"This is not a vintage to miss. It is as significant as the legendary 1997 vintage, not only for the great quality of the Brunellos made but for its historical greatness."

"Vintages like this don't come along very often. As I wrote, 1997 is a year that had such unique greatness of the 2010. However, the viticulture and winemaking of today can't be compared to two decades ago. The Brunellos of today are superior, especially in a great year like 2010."

'The 2010 vintage made great wines. There is no doubt about it. This is why you have to buy some.'

Critical Opinion of Biondi Santi

Decanter made clear in a recent list of the 50 greatest wines of Italy that Biondi Santi 'are among the most coveted and expensive bottlings in Italy'.
In 2013 Investment Fund 'Bottled Asset Fund' Bought 7,000 Bottles of Biondi-Santi Brunello worth $5 million.
Neal Martin: 'Biondi Santi is a renowned name across the world'.
1955 Vintage was deemed one of the dozen "Wines of the Century" by James Suckling.
"Where would Italy be without the grand old wines of Biondi Santi?..." – James Suckling.

1955 Vintage ranked in the Wine Spectator - Wines of the Century by James Suckling.

2010 - Investment Potential

2010 is without doubt one of the finest ever vintages for the region, with the Biondi Santi Riserva ranking alongside the greatest wines ever made by this famous producer. Below is a table showing how the 2010 compares with other key years.

*figures are based on single, non OWC bottle listings.

Once the Riserva is released, it rarely re appears on the secondary market as stock is siphoned off into private cellar.

Based on the critical appraisal for the 2010 it is fair to assume that prices could exceed the previous benchmark vintages.

Biondi Santi is already one of the most iconic wines and the profile was certainly aided by the inclusion of the 1955 Riserva in The Wine Spectator's '12 Greatest Wines of the 20th Century. In the company of Petrus 1961, Margaux 1900, Cheval Blanc 1947, Mouton Rothschild 1945, Penfolds Grange 1955, Hermitage La Chapelle 1961, Yquem 1921, Biondi Santi Riserva was the only wine from Italy to feature. The last visible price for the 1955 was circa. £19,000.00 per 12.

Below is a table showing how the prices for the Riserva compare with wines from other regions with similar low production levels and high critical acclaim.

Whilst it would be over optimistic to suggest that the prices for the Riserva will reach levels seen from all of the estates listed above, it is interesting to see wines with a similar status and higher level of production exchanging hands for sums significantly higher than Biondi Santi Riserva 2010. The highlighted producers are useful, realistic benchmarks for the Riserva, particularly the Italian estates. As consumers seek out the greatest offering from a diverse spread of regions, we suspect that Biondi Santi Riserva 2010 will be able to close this gap over the next 5-10 years.

Summary

Micro production, only 850 cases and only produced during the best years.
Highest rated vintage (97 pts).
Very undervalued long term option.
The 1955 vintage featured in Wine Spectator's 12 greatest wines for the 20th Century.
150%+ over an 8-10 year hold in line with benchmark vintages.