Biondi Santi   Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

By Biondi Santi

2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva from Biondi Santi, Tuscany, Italy

In my four decades of swirling, sniffing and sipping, I have frequently encountered wines that instantly change the mood of a room - a vinous magic trick, if you will. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva from Biondi Santi unleashes such sorcery.

 

Biondi Santi's Genius Enshrined

In the realm of fine wines from Italy, Biondi Santi has carved an indelible niche, not least for their matchless Brunellos. With an innate ability to encapsulate and express the very essence of Montalcino terroir, this producer continuously presents wines that are intricate, robust & sincerity personified.

The power and finesse coming together in this bottle are simply beguiling. Radiantly ruby-red with garnet hues, it sings a crescendo of dark cherries, dried herbs and spices, embodying the exceptional climatic conditions of 2010.

 

Decoding the Vintage

The enchantment of the 2010 vintage hails from the elements. A perfect blend of sun-soaked days and cool nights created an ideal consistency versus intensity juxtaposition. The grapes were allowed to mature optimally without losing their natural acidity that holds this Italian masterpiece together like an elegantly scripted opera.

Mature tannins unveil themselves elegantly on the palate, securing a robust backbone for the enticing amalgamation of wild strawberries and leather nuances.

 

Where Time Stands Still

This hallmark 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is more than just a witness to its extraordinary vintage. It's a timeless tale - a vinous memoir etched deeply onto the canvas of any connoisseur's palate. Balanced to the last, it builds an orchestration of flavours where each note assumes its due importance yet blends seamlessly into an uncompromising whole.

As a fine wine investor looking at this exceptional bottle by Biondi Santi – you're not just acquiring the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva for your portfolio; you’re investing in a masterpiece of Italian viticulture’s transcendent heritage.

Market price (SGD)

$6,700.00

12x75cl

Highest score

96

POP score

250.63

Scores and tasting notes

96

The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is slow to open and I spent a good amount of extra time with this wine as a result. It was well worth the wait. The intensity inches up in baby steps. With time, the wine is splendent and focused with a very direct and impactful delivery of aromas. It also shows a specifically floral personality with dried rose petal or blue violet that I did not recognize in most of the other Brunellos from this classic vintage. There is power and determination behind those feminine aromas. The wine makes a lasting impression in the mouth, thanks to the textual tightness of its tannins and the refreshing crispness of the acidity. The Riserva sees fruit sourced from Il Greppo's oldest vines (25-years-old and more) and the wine ages in traditional oak casks for three years. Some 13,600 bottles were made.

Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate, 3 March 2016

Vintage performance