BIONDI-SANTI Rosso di Montalcino - Tuscany 2020/21 Bottle (Sangiovese)

Description

Biondi-Santi Rosso di Montalcino 2021 is an exceptional vintage that showcases remarkable complexity and finesse, receiving 95+ points from The Wine Advocate. Monica Larner highlights its bright red fruit, firm structure, and the need for a few years of bottle age to fully develop its bouquet. Jancis Robinson scores it 18 points, praising its lustrous ruby colour and clarity of fruit, while noting it remains closed, requiring further aging. James Suckling awards it 93 points for its generous aromas of ripe strawberries and cherries, along with lively acidity and depth. This age-worthy Rosso di Montalcino promises a refined tasting experience, making it ideal for enjoyment from 2026 and beyond.

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VINTAGE 2021 - Vintage 2021 has been characterized by an autumn and a winter with mild temperatures and generous rainfalls, while spring brought an episode of frost on April 6th. From April to mid-August, rainfall decreased drastically, leading to drought conditions. Summer was characterized by scorching temperatures and high humidity, however later in August, thanks to temperature ranges and beneficial rainfall, we had the perfect conditions for grape to complete their ripening before being picked. Harvest started on September 9th.

AGEING - The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino was aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 12 months.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 95+
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Drink Date: 2026 - 2040
This is an epic vintage that has been expertly interpreted by the Biondi-Santi winemaking team. The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino has impressive complexity and finesse, the result of many complicated blending decisions. The wine remains on the shy side at the moment and will need a few more years of bottle age before its full bouquet comes into focus. The wine is essentially linear and sharp with firm structure, seething energy and bright red fruit. The vintage was warm, dry and luminous. The Sangiovese harvest started on the 9th of September.

Biondi-Santi's release schedule is one year behind the norm. They release the Rosso di Montalcino and the Brunello di Montalcino in March six years after the harvest. The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is on the market now, and we will see the 2019 vintage next spring.
Published: Nov 21, 2024

JANCIS ROBINSON 18 points
Lustrous mid ruby. Still very closed on the nose, transmitting right now only minerally hints. Firmly tannic and transparent at the same time. Great precision and clarity of fruit. More age needed to rein in the firm structure, but letting the bottle breathe for a full day will speed things up. The merest suggestion of something that looks like oak. Laser-focused, concentrated red-fruit finish. (WS)

JAMES SUCKLING 93 points
Generous aromas of ripe strawberries and cherries, turning to flowers and stones with some crushed cement. Medium body with firm tannins that fill the mouth, as well as lively acidity and depth of fruit. Savory and almost salty at the end. Drink or hold.

DECANTER 93 points
Tasted by: Tina Gellie (at Manhatta, New York, 09 Jun 2025) Part of Six decades of Biondi-Santi masterclass: DFWE New York 2025
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2030
The earliest harvest ever at Biondi-Santi (starting 31 August) followed a warm spring and hot summer with some rain, giving optimal growing conditions. Viticulture and winemaking director Federico Radi describes the estate's Rosso as 'our running back wine', for its big-boned yet agile structure. Approachable yet still serious, it's dominated by succulent strawberry, red cherry and blood orange, aromatic star anise and vibrant acidity. Grapes are sourced from the youngest vineyards across the property and the wine is aged for 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels. RADI'S RECAP: Crisp and tenacious.

VINOUS 92+ points
Distinctly savory, the 2021 Rosso di Montalcino wafts up with a dark and earthy blend of flowery underbrush and balsam herbs, giving way to dried black cherries. This is surprisingly energetic and spry, with depths of tart red berry fruits enlivened by a core of zesty acidity. Its minerality comes forward through the finish, mixing with nuances of lavender and plum. The 2021 tapers off structured and long yet still remarkably fresh. This is a Rosso who dreamt of being a Brunello. Very nice. - Eric Guido