1945 Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Greppo Riserva

Description

1945 Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Greppo Riserva from Arden Fine Wines in London.

Biondi-Santi produced the first Brunello in history in 1888 at the hands of Ferruccio Biondi Santi.

Since then, this fabled estate has ensured the excellency of its wines, known for their extreme longevity, through seven generations.

Tenuta Greppo, at 500 metres above sea level, is where the historical winery and estate villa are situated.

Also it is where the oldest plot, planted in 1936, is to be found.

The other vineyard sites are located respectively to the west, north, east and south-east of the town of Montalcino.

Therefore they are instrumental in preserving Biondi-Santi’s signature style – elegance, fresh acidity, and moderate alcohol.

The “Riserva” comes from vineyards over 25 years of age and is made in oak “tini” (large conical wooden vats).

The policy at Biondi-Santi has long been a maximum of large (Slavonian) oak barrels; a minimum of steel; and no barriques at all.

1945 Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Greppo Riserva

1945 was Tancredi Biondi Santi’s second Riserva, following the 1925 vintage.

It was an excellent vintage.

The 1945 Riserva was probably produced with grapes from the vines of Tenuta Greppo and the vineyard Scarnacuoia.

These vines would later lead to the selection of Sangiovese Grosso which brought Biondi-Santi to register its own clone.

This clone was formally recognised in 1978.

The 1945 Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Greppo Riserva was aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 4 years.

Afterwards it benefited from long ageing in the bottle in the quiet and darkness of “La Storica”.

This is the bottle library at Tenuta Greppo where all the historic vintages of Biondi-Santi Riserva are kept.

This 1945 vintage was topped up and the cork was changed for the first time in 1970 and again in 1985.

Alcohol content 12.5%.