2020 Rosso di Montalcino

Released in June 2023, the medium red 2020 Rosso Di Montalcino is open aromatically already at this stage, revealing notes of ripe red cherries along with a very pretty floral perfume of fresh flowers and wild fresh herbs. Medium-bodied and rounded, with a very elegant feel, sweet, fine tannins, and a pleasing fresh ripeness, it’s a lovely wine with a lot of charm now. It has very clean fruit aromas and profile, with an open feel and a lovely sanguine mineral tone of the finish. This is going to be a Rosso with a wide window of drinking over the coming 8-10 years. The wines for this report were tasted in January 2024 at the estate with Federico Radi, the Viticulture and Winemaking Director. While the sale of the estate to French group Epi is still fresh on many consumer minds, one thing is certain – Radi is committed to taking this estate into the future while retaining the DNA of Biondi-Santi. His humility and dedication to the greater purpose of the estate is palpable, and as his wines are beginning to come into the market (Radi joined the producer in 2017), there’s a lot to be excited about, despite his not wanting to make a fuss over his own efforts. As of this year, they have planted new vines on the property, between their iconic Cypress-lined entrance and the Pian Dell’Orino estate next door. They have worked the land to create a terraced vineyard, both to preserve water retention and to prevent erosion. In recent years they have also partnered with consultant Pedro Parra to continue to explore their soil structures and parcels further.

The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino is simply stunning, lifting from the glass with vivid raspberry and cherry notes complemented by sweet rose, clove and cedar. This model of purity is silky and refined, with a dusty feel to its ripe red berry fruits. Orange notes adds contrast toward the close. It finishes structured and long, still remarkably pure, with a slightly bitter tinge that slowly fades. This fabulous Rosso from Biondi-Santi shows the work done over the past years.

Full bottle 1,413 g. Pale ruby. Lightly dusty nose. Real spread of textured, sweet fruit all the way over the palate with real drive and grip on the finish. Admirably long. Really very exciting! Pure, fully ripe Sangiovese – sorry, Brunello. Vigorous and a great balance between fruit and the natural tannin and acidity of the grape. Just glorious! Already a great drink but with enough ripe tannin to go on and on. A tip: do not drink this at the same time as Biondi-Santi’s Brunellos, however. (JR)