Why are Biondi-Santi wines unlike any other Montalcino?
The Biondi-Santi estate, known as Tenuta Greppo, holds a place in history as the birthplace of Brunello di Montalcino. In the mid-19th century, Clemente Santi and later his grandson Ferruccio Biondi-Santi isolated a special clone of Sangiovese, later known as Sangiovese BB1, and vinified it in a way that broke from Tuscan tradition. At a time when wines from the region were blended for quick consumption, they crafted a red meant for aging, showing both structure and longevity. The first official Brunello bottling dates back to 1888, establishing not just a style but a new category of fine wine that would become one of Italy’s greatest contributions to the world of viticulture.
Over the following century, the Biondi-Santi family remained the custodians of Brunello’s legacy, holding steadfast to traditional methods even as modernity swept through Montalcino. Their wines became legendary for their austerity in youth and extraordinary ability to evolve over decades, earning a reputation as some of the longest-lived reds on earth. In this sense, Biondi-Santi not only shaped the identity of Montalcino but also set the standard for Italian wine as a whole, demonstrating that Italy could rival France in producing world-class, age-worthy wines. Today, the estate stands as both a symbol of tradition and a monument to the vision of a family that transformed the destiny of a region.
The Sangiovese BB1 clone, originating from Biondi-Santi’s Tenuta Greppo in Montalcino, is one of the most historically significant selections of any varietal in the world. Registered in the 1970s–80s as Brunello Biondi-Santi 1 (BB1), it is considered the “mother clone” of Brunello di Montalcino, forming the backbone of both Rosso and Brunello at the estate.
Unlike modern clones such as R24 or VCR selections, BB1 is naturally low-yielding, slow-ripening, and requires careful vineyard management. Its small, thick-skinned berries produce wines of exceptional tannin, acidity, concentration, and longevity, capable of aging gracefully for decades. Modern clones, in contrast, favor higher yields, earlier ripening, and softer tannins, resulting in more immediately approachable wines but lacking the structure, depth, and noble austerity of BB1. At Biondi-Santi, BB1 preserves the direct lineage and character of the original Brunello, embodying history, tradition, and timeless quality and according to the Biondi-Santi family only they have it planted throughout their estate.
In short, BB1 represents the old, artisanal vision of Sangiovese: demanding in the vineyard, uncompromising in quality, and destined for long evolution in bottle. The modern clones, though useful for consistency and volume, cannot replicate the singular character of BB1 — which is why wines from Biondi-Santi remain unmatched in their capacity to embody history, tradition, and timelessness. 
The Fascia Rossa at Biondi-Santi is not a regular cuvée but a statement of philosophy, reserved for the rare vintages when Brunello was not produced yet the Rosso showed such quality it merited special recognition. Marked by its distinctive red banner, it is paradoxical in nature: not Brunello, yet carrying its soul, born from the same vineyards and uncompromising methods. Only four vintages — 1989, 1992, 2002, and 2014 — bear this mark, making them rarities even within Biondi-Santi’s legacy. The 2014 stands out as the estate’s elegant answer to one of Tuscany’s most difficult harvests, offering a wine of brightness, purity, and energy, with lifted red fruit, floral tones, spice, and nervy acidity. Unlike powerful Brunellos, it is transparent and graceful, a wine of honesty that proves greatness can come not from weight but from character, and why it remains so prized by collectors and connoisseurs.
Biondi Santi Fascia Rossa Rosso di Montalcino 2014 750ml Special Price $149.99
These wines are in our NYC cellar ready for collection 
The Rosso di Montalcino from Biondi-Santi is often described as the “younger brother” of Brunello, but in truth it carries its own proud identity. Like Brunello, it is made entirely from the estate’s unique BB1 clone, grown on the historic slopes of Tenuta Greppo in Montalcino. The difference lies in selection and aging: fruit that shows a fresher, more immediate character is directed into Rosso, and while Brunello must by law age for a minimum of five years before release, Rosso requires only one year. At Biondi-Santi, the Rosso is still treated with extraordinary rigor, aged traditionally in large Slavonian oak casks, but bottled earlier to preserve its bright cherry fruit, floral lift, and lively acidity. The result is a wine that captures the spirit of Brunello in a more approachable, energetic form — drinkable in its youth, yet structured enough to evolve gracefully with age.
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Rosso di Montalcino 2016 750ml Special Price $119.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Rosso di Montalcino 2013 750ml Special Price $119.99
These wines are in our NYC cellar ready for collection 
The Brunello di Montalcino from Biondi-Santi is the estate’s crown jewel and the benchmark of the appellation, crafted exclusively from their historic BB1 clone grown on the high-altitude vineyards of Greppo. Unlike Rosso, which is released earlier, Brunello is a wine built for endurance: by law it must age a minimum of five years, with at least two in oak, but at Biondi-Santi the practice is even stricter, with extended élevage in large Slavonian oak casks to ensure balance, purity, and longevity. The resulting wines are firmer, more structured, and designed to evolve for decades — often 40, 60, or even 100 years in the greatest vintages. The difference between Rosso and Brunello lies not in grape or vineyard, but in selection, élevage, and destiny: Rosso captures a fresher, more accessible expression of the same fruit, highlighting energy and brightness, while Brunello represents the most profound, age-worthy lots, austere in youth and built to reveal the full nobility of the terroir over time. Where Rosso is vibrant and immediate, Brunello is deep and majestic, a wine not merely to drink but to witness as it transforms across generations.
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 2012 750ml Special Price $269.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 2011 750ml Special Price $269.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 2009 750ml Special Price $289.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 2008 750ml Special Price $289.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 2001 750ml Special Price $309.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 2000 750ml Special Price $309.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 1997 750ml Special Price $349.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 1993 750ml Special Price $349.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 1987 750ml Special Price $379.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 1985 750ml Special Price $449.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 1983 750ml Special Price $449.99
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 1982 750ml Special Price $449.99
These wines are in our NYC cellar ready for collection 
The Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012 is a monumental testament to the estate’s legacy and the final vintage crafted under Franco Biondi Santi’s meticulous guidance. Made from the exceptional BB1 of Tenuta Greppo, it showcases the estate’s unwavering commitment to traditional winemaking. Deep ruby in color, the wine offers a complex bouquet of rose, underbrush, red berries, new leather, and crushed mint, while the palate is chiseled and precise, with flavors of Morello cherry, pomegranate, orange zest, star anise, and a touch of tobacco framed by taut, polished tannins. Its firm acidity lends youthful tension and balance, culminating in a long, clean, and fragrant finish. This Riserva reflects Franco Biondi Santi’s dedication to elegance and longevity, standing as both a tribute to his legacy and a rare opportunity to experience a piece of Brunello history, poised for decades of graceful evolution.
Biondi Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012 750ml Special Price $649.99
The 1964 Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva stands as a pinnacle of Italian winemaking, epitomizing the estate's commitment to tradition and excellence. Aged for four years in large Slavonian oak barrels and meticulously stored in the "La Storica" bottle library at Tenuta Greppo. This careful attention to detail has allowed the 1964 Riserva to age gracefully, developing a complex bouquet of dried cherry, tobacco, leather, and subtle earthy notes. On the palate, it offers a harmonious balance of acidity and tannins, with a long, elegant finish that reflects the exceptional quality of this rare vintage. Considered one of the finest expressions of Brunello, the 1964 Riserva is a testament to the enduring legacy of Biondi-Santi and a rare opportunity for collectors to experience a piece of winemaking history.
Biondi-Santi Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1964 750ml Special Price $1,399.99
These wines are in our NYC cellar ready for collection |
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