Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (1955)

About this wine

The 1955 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva by Biondi-Santi presents a luminous, garnet-red color that belies its age. The bouquet is intensely aromatic, offering layers of dried rose petals, sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, and nutmeg, with a distinctive balsamic minerality. On the palate, it delivers a lively and spicy experience, with a pulsating freshness and an endless finish that remains vibrant and stimulating. This vintage is renowned for its extraordinary purity and has been recognized as one of the 12 best wines of the 20th century by Wine Spectator.

About the grape

Sangiovese, the sole grape in Brunello di Montalcino, has deep roots in Tuscany, with its name meaning "blood of Jupiter." In the mid-19th century, Clemente Santi identified a unique Sangiovese clone in Montalcino, later named Brunello. His grandson, Ferruccio Biondi-Santi, produced the first Brunello di Montalcino in 1888, aging it over a decade in large oak barrels. The 1955 Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a notable example of this tradition.

Quick facts

• 🏆 The 1955 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Biondi-Santi is the only Italian wine listed among Wine Spectator's twelve best wines of the 20th century, receiving an outstanding score of 99/100.
• 👑 In 1969, this vintage was served to Queen Elizabeth II by Italian President Giuseppe Saragat at the Italian Embassy in London, captivating the Queen and marking a significant moment in the wine's history.
• ⏳ Biondi-Santi's Brunello Riserva is renowned for its exceptional longevity, with the 1955 vintage still being celebrated for its remarkable aging potential and complexity.
• 🍇 The 1955 Riserva was produced in extremely limited quantities, sourced exclusively from the estate's oldest vineyards, which are over 25 years old.
• 🏰 The Biondi-Santi family is credited with creating Brunello di Montalcino, with Ferruccio Biondi-Santi bottling the first Brunello in 1888, establishing a legacy of quality and tradition.

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.