Biondi-Santi Tenuta Greppo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vertical Collection 1998-2008-2016

The Biondi-Santi Tenuta Greppo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vertical Collection (1998, 2008, 2016) is an exclusive three-bottle set that serves as a chronological journey through the estate's recent history. This collection brings together three distinct expressions of the BBS11 Sangiovese Grosso clone, each sourced from vines at least 25 years old and matured in traditional Slavonian oak casks. The 1998 Riserva is a "library release" from the estate's private La Storica cellar, prized for its evolved profile of new leather, truffle, and orange zest. The 2008 Riserva represents a masterclass in finesse, offering a delicate floral bouquet of blue flowers and forest floor alongside persistent red berry flavors. Completing the set is the landmark 2016 Riserva, a vintage of "electric energy" that marks the transition of the estate to new ownership and is already hailed as a "new classic" by critics.

1998 Vintage Rating

98 Points by Wine Enthusiast

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.

2008 Vintage Rating

96 Points by Wine Enthusiast

Impeccably balanced and loaded with finesse, this subtle stunner opens with aromas of blue flower, forest floor, truffle, moist soil and bright berry. The delineated palate offers juicy red cherry layered with white pepper, cinnamon and mineral alongside brisk acidity and firm but elegant tannins. It already has great depth but it's still young and austere so give it time to develop fully. Drink 2023–2048.

2016 Vintage Rating

99 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Wow, here is a vintage I've been anxiously waiting to try. The 2016 growing season was one of the best in recent memory in Montalcino, and if we look back in time, this vintage marks the year Biondi-Santi was sold to a French group. The prestigious 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva proves a mighty collector's bottle that will undoubtedly gain in complexity and depth with careful bottle age. The wine offers wild nuances of forest berry and tart cherry, and there are herbal side notes as well as floral tones of dried violet and lilac. The tannins are soft, powdery and feel like they melt away on the palate.