2020 Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino

Forest floor, lavender, eucalyptus and wild berry aromas waft out of the glass on the fragrant Biondi Santi 2020 Brunello along with whiffs of new leather and spice. Polished and showing understated finesse, the linear palate features ripe Morello cherry, licorice and bitter orange set against a backbone of well integrated tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced and bright. (KO)

Silky and fine in texture, the Biondi-Santi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is more subdued at this stage, requiring additional time to fully flesh out. With air, it gains definition and aromatic clarity, revealing floral tones of wild rose alongside light spice and a subtle mineral or graphite note on the finish. The floral dimension stands out nicely. The 2020 growing season was defined by a cold winter with snowfall on March 23 followed by timely June rainfall that supported the vegetative cycle, allowing harvest to conclude before late-September rains. Favoring finesse over power, the vintage aligns naturally with Biondi-Santi’s traditionally restrained style, shaped by an estate philosophy that prioritizes balance, transparency and longevity. Fermentation was carried out with indigenous yeasts, and the wine aged for 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks, in keeping with long-standing cellar practice. (ML)