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Red dry
The 1998 Riserva was aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 3 years. It benefited from a long refinement in the bottle in the quiet and darkness of “La Storica”, the bottle library at Tenuta Greppo where all the historic vintages of Biondi-Santi Riserva are scrupulously kept. The Riserva 1998 is both generous and gentle. The elegant bouquet brings forth notes of dried berry fruits, rosemary, forest floor and coffee beans which build in intensity as the wine is allowed to breathe. The long-lingering taste is precise and vibrant, stimulating the palate with a savoury freshness.
Serve at 16-18 °C with game dishes, beef steaks, wild mushroom stews.
Boasting alluring scents of new leather, truffle, camphor, pipe tobacco and just a whiff of tar, this just re-released Riserva from the estate's cellar is absolutely gorgeous. Loaded with finesse, the polished, vibrant palate delivers dried cherry, orange zest, cinnamon and nutmeg alongside silky, smooth tannins before finishing on a note of black tea. Still amazingly fresh and going strong. Drink through 2048.
These back vintages are available to purchase by special request. The 1998 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva comes from an under-the-radar vintage that has blossomed today. The aging potential of these Riservas from Il Greppo must be tasted to be believed. Driven by fresh acidity that remains firm and taut, this wine reveals a dark garnet color and mid-weight concentration. The bouquet presents a careful succession of dried berry, forest floor and spice aromas that builds in intensity as the wine warms in the glass. The wine hits the palate with immediate brilliance and sparkle. This bottle is at its drinking prime right now. It's a true beauty.
It is a rare case when the origins of an entire wine category can be traced back to a single person, but the history of Brunello di Montalcino began precisely with Ferruccio Biondi-Santi, who created the first wine of this style in the late 19th century. His work and vision became a cornerstone not only of Tuscan but of all Italian winemaking. In 1888, drawing inspiration from the example of Barolo, Ferruccio produced the first Brunello — a 100% Sangiovese Grosso wine — a decision considered revolutionary at the time, when all of Tuscany was still blending several varieties into a single wine.
Today the winery is run by Jacopo Biondi-Santi, Ferruccio's great-great-grandson and the seventh generation of winemakers in the family. He upholds traditions cultivated for over a century, crafting exceptionally long-ageing, elegant wines. The Biondi-Santi estate is perched at the summit of the Montalcino hill, with around 25 hectares of historic vineyards, and most of the region's Sangiovese Grosso vineyards have been planted with clones taken from this winery's plantings.
Biondi-Santi wines are celebrated for their longevity, refinement and extraordinary structure. Their elegant, classic style has been preserved for over 100 years — these are wines for collectors and connoisseurs of aged vintages.
Biondi-Santi owns some of the most prized vineyards in Montalcino, situated in the highest and coolest sites of the appellation. Among them:
Thanks to the higher altitude and cooler climate, the grapes ripen slowly, and the harvest is typically carried out earlier than at other estate sites — preserving natural acidity and aromatic purity.
Brunello di Montalcino is fermented in stainless steel tanks with long maceration to extract maximum structure and colour. The Riserva version is fermented in oak casks, and all the wines are aged in large Slavonian oak barrels.
Biondi-Santi wines are known for their exceptional ageing potential — classic Brunellos can mature for 20, 30 years or even longer. They unfold beautifully over time, retaining their elegance, balance and aromatic intensity. It is no coincidence that these wines are regarded as the "Rolls Royce of Italian wine".
