2011 Brunello di Montalcino, Biondi Santi

This fabled estate sold a majority of its shares to Christopher Descours, the owner of Charles Heidsieck, in December 2016. While the 5th and 6th generations of the Biondi-Santi family, Jacopo and his son Tancredi, remain actively involved in the running of the estate, the investment being undertaken by Christopher Descours will ensure the property modernises in an intelligent manner. The wines are already among the very best in Montalcino.

Mid garnet-ruby colour, the nose of this 2011 is intensely perfumed and complex – primary red cherry fruit interweaves with floral richness and gorgeous, tertiary, spiced character. There is good sweetness of fruit on the palate, with layers of flavour, fine structure, and harmionious tannins, which carry the flavour to a wonderfully long finale. This is beautiful, ready-to-drink, expressive Brunello (for drinking 2020-2024+).