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Best Italian Red Wine?

Biondi Santi - an Italian Wine Legend

The name Biondi Santi is THE name in Italian wines. With over seven hundred years of tradition and having invented the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine this is a Tuscan family that is, like their wines, truly exceptional

Today it is Jacopo Biondi Santi who lords it over (sorry I meant presides over) this “new frontier” of Tuscan wines, the Maremma district.

Jacopo was looking to create a new winemaking tradition and needed a more mineral soil than that found in Montalcino, a sunnier and dryer climate was also fundamental in order to produce the riper grapes needed for this new wine.

The search led to Montepò.

After what was probably the most comprehensive and exhaustive analysis ever undertaken of terroir Jacopo purchased these magnificent lands and the incredible castle that overlooks them.

Jacopo Biondi Santi has the responsibility of maintaining the centuries of heritage while at the same time ensuring that the passion and innovation of his family continues well into the future.

This he has achieved with new wines reflecting contemporary styles and setting new benchmarks in the Tuscan wine industry. Once again the name Biondi Santi is synonymous with some of the best Italian red wine.

Where to Stay

Unfortunately Biondi Santi's castle does not offer accommodation but don't worry as there is a superb place to stay right in the heart of this Tuscan wine region. It is the Locanda Terenzi (click for photos and more).

Here you get to stay on a family run wine estate which lacks none of the modern comforts but still honors the traditional hospitality, wonderful food and of course great wines of Tuscany.

The Wines

The Sassoallora particularly impressed me, Jacopo Biondi Santi’s “new” wine, made from 100% Sangiovese grosso BBS11 grapes, the BBS stands for Brunello Biondi Santi 11 and is the vine clone unique to the family.

This is a wine which encapsulates all the history and the innovation that Jacopo has brought to the Biondi Santi name, indeed a bridge between past and present. The Sassoalloro is a new interpretation of the Sangiovese grape much as the Brunello was a century ago.

The colour is a rich ruby red with hints of orange while on the nose the wine is fresh and fruity with a touch of spice. A mouthful and the wine reveals itself as smooth and velvety with a long lingering length.

To see these wines ageing their 14 months in barrique in the cellars of the ancient castle is indeed an incredible sight.

Schidione is truly an aristocratic wine, a blend of 40% Sangiovese grosso BBS11, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. The name comes from the traditional spear used in medieval times for the roasting of game and this is indeed a wine that goes perfectly with wild game.

Aged in barrique for 24 months the wine is a rich ruby red with garnet shades. The nose is elegant and complex with notes of spices and vanilla. On the palate the Schidione is dry and majestic with a lovely long finish. Indeed a wine that is worth keeping and it will age well with a longevity of over 50 years.

Morellino 2007 DOCG; is produced from 95% Sangiovese grosso BBS11 and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Four months in stainless steel is followed by eight months in barriques, made of untoasted tronçais wood, produces an elegant wine which is dry and savoury on the palate with persistent tannins.

Tuscan Wine Regions and Wines

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