Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (1945)

About this wine

The 1945 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva by Biondi-Santi presents a tawny hue with a mature rim, indicative of its age. The bouquet is rich and earthy, offering aromas of tar and lush, forest floor nuances. On the palate, it maintains a remarkable balance between acidity and tannin, reflecting its excellent structure. This vintage is notable as one of the few produced by Biondi-Santi during the mid-20th century, highlighting its rarity and historical significance. The wine's longevity and complexity are testaments to the meticulous winemaking practices of the Biondi-Santi estate.

About the grape

Sangiovese, the sole grape in the 1945 Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, is a red Italian variety whose name means "blood of Jupiter." In the mid-19th century, Ferruccio Biondi-Santi, a pioneering winemaker, selected a specific clone of Sangiovese, known as Sangiovese Grosso, for its robust qualities. He cultivated this clone in Montalcino's unique terroir, leading to the creation of Brunello di Montalcino, a wine celebrated for its remarkable longevity and depth. The 1945 vintage is particularly notable, as it was one of the few produced during World War II, highlighting the resilience and dedication of the Biondi-Santi family to their craft.

Quick facts

• 🍷 The 1945 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Biondi-Santi is one of the rare vintages produced by the estate, as they have only declared 43 Riserva vintages since 1888.
• 🧱 During World War II, the Biondi-Santi family walled up their precious Riserva bottles, including the 1945 vintage, to protect them from being looted by invading forces.
• ⏳ Biondi-Santi's Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is renowned for its extraordinary longevity, with some vintages aging gracefully for over a century.
• 🍇 The 1945 vintage was produced exclusively from Sangiovese grapes harvested from the estate's oldest vineyards, which are over 25 years old.
• 🪵 Biondi-Santi's commitment to traditional winemaking methods, such as aging in large Slavonian oak casks, contributes to the unique character and aging potential of their wines.

Palate profile

Producer

Biondi-Santi, established in 1865 by Ferruccio Biondi Santi in Montalcino, Italy, is renowned for creating Brunello di Montalcino, a prestigious red wine made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes. The winery's Il Greppo estate, located just southeast of Montalcino, spans 32 hectares of vineyards rich in galestro rock and marl soils, ideal for cultivating Sangiovese Grosso. Biondi-Santi has maintained traditional winemaking methods, including aging wines in large Slavonian oak casks, some over a century old, contributing to their exceptional longevity. In 2016, the French luxury group EPI acquired a majority stake in the winery, aiming to preserve its heritage while enhancing its global presence.