Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino Annata 2009

Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino Annata 2009 is a 750ml DOCG red wine from Tenuta Greppo, made entirely from the estate's proprietary BBS11 Sangiovese Grosso clone. Awarded a Gold medal at Mundus Vini and 93 points from Gilbert & Gaillard, the 2009 Annata stands among the most respected expressions from the family credited with inventing Brunello di Montalcino as a category.

Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Sangiovese Grosso (BBS11 Clone)  |  Origin: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany, Italy  |  Vintage: 2009  |  Producer: Biondi Santi, Tenuta Greppo

Production & Heritage

The Biondi Santi family has been producing wine at Tenuta Greppo since the mid-19th century and is widely recognized as the founding estate of Brunello di Montalcino. The 2009 Annata is produced exclusively from the BBS11 clone — Brunello Biondi Santi 11 — a proprietary selection of Sangiovese Grosso identified and isolated at Tenuta Greppo during the 1970s. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in a combination of concrete vats and large Slavonian oak barrels, followed by a minimum of three years of aging in traditional Slavonian oak casks. This approach deliberately avoids the influence of small French barriques, preserving the austere, terroir-driven character that defines Biondi Santi's house style and separates it from more modern Brunello producers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with elegant floral tones of violet and rose, followed by layers of undergrowth, morello cherry, and redcurrant. Deeper balsamic notes emerge alongside hints of mint, tobacco, sandalwood, and a distinctive flinty minerality.

Taste: On entry, the palate reveals sappy red fruit with penetrating purity and energy. The mid-palate unfolds with succulent wild cherry accented by white pepper, black tea, and subtle vanilla. Tannins are silky yet noble, lending an elegantly austere structure that carries cola, licorice, and dark fruit through a savory, mineral-laden core.

Finish: The finish is vibrant, firm, and remarkably long, with gripping but refined tannins that gradually release lingering echoes of forest floor and balsam. There is a freshness here that suggests significant further development with cellaring.

How to Drink Biondi Santi Annata 2009

This wine rewards patient decanting — at least one to two hours — and serving at 16–18°C in a large Burgundy-style glass to allow its complex aromatics to fully express themselves. At over 15 years of age, the 2009 Annata is approaching a rewarding drinking window while still retaining the structural backbone for further aging. It is a wine designed for thoughtful, undistracted drinking, ideally alongside food rather than in cocktails.

Food Pairings

• Bistecca alla fiorentina — the classic Tuscan pairing, where the wine's acidity cuts through charred, rare beef
• Wild boar ragù with pappardelle — earthy, gamey flavors echo the wine's undergrowth and forest floor notes
• Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano (36+ months) — the umami depth and granular texture complement the wine's tannin structure
• Herb-crusted rack of lamb — rosemary and thyme mirror the wine's balsamic, herbal complexity
• Porcini mushroom risotto — the earthy richness pairs naturally with the Annata's mineral and forest floor character

Best For

• Gifting a serious Italian wine collector on a milestone occasion
• Anchoring a vertical tasting of Biondi Santi vintages
• Cellaring for long-term development over the next decade or more
• Pairing with a special Tuscan-inspired dinner for discerning guests

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Biondi Santi Annata 2009 taste like? It delivers penetrating red fruit purity, wild cherry, and balsamic complexity over a firm mineral backbone, with silky tannins and a remarkably long, vibrant finish. The overall impression is one of austere elegance rather than overt fruit richness.

How does Biondi Santi Annata compare to Soldera Case Basse Brunello? Both estates are considered among the two greatest Brunello producers, sharing a commitment to 100% Sangiovese Grosso and extended Slavonian oak aging. Biondi Santi tends toward a more classically structured, restrained style, while Soldera Case Basse often shows greater aromatic opulence and textural richness in the same vintages.

Is Biondi Santi Annata 2009 good for drinking now? Yes — the 2009 is entering a rewarding drinking window when decanted for one to two hours, though its firm tannic structure and acidity indicate it will continue to develop positively for years to come.

Where is Biondi Santi Annata made? It is produced at Tenuta Greppo, the Biondi Santi family estate located in the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG zone in the hills of southern Tuscany, Italy. The estate sits at elevations between approximately 400 and 500 meters above sea level.

What foods pair well with Biondi Santi Annata 2009? Bistecca alla fiorentina is the benchmark pairing, as the wine's acidity and tannin handle richly marbled beef. Wild boar ragù, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, herb-crusted lamb, and porcini mushroom risotto all complement its earthy, balsamic complexity.

What sizes does Biondi Santi Annata come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, though Biondi Santi has historically produced magnums (1.5L) and other large formats for select vintages.

Is Biondi Santi Annata 2009 worth the price? Biondi Santi Annata positions firmly in the premium-to-ultra-premium tier of Brunello di Montalcino, reflecting the estate's status as the founding family of the appellation, its proprietary BBS11 clone, and consistently high critical recognition. For collectors and serious enthusiasts of traditional Brunello, it represents a benchmark investment in the category.

Why Biondi Santi Annata 2009?

The 2009 vintage at Tenuta Greppo produced a Brunello that balances the warmth of the growing season with the estate's hallmark restraint and structural precision. Its foundation in the proprietary BBS11 Sangiovese Grosso clone — a genetic selection unavailable to any other producer — gives it a lineage no competitor can replicate. Recognized with a Gold medal at Mundus Vini and 93 points from Gilbert & Gaillard, the wine has earned critical validation alongside its historical pedigree. For anyone seeking Brunello di Montalcino in its most traditional, uncompromising form, the Biondi Santi Annata 2009 represents the standard against which the appellation measures itself.