Wines News & People
Tenuta Greppo (Biondi-Santi)
Italy, Tuscany
The estate of this famous family was established by Clemente Santi (1795 – 1885) dating back to the 18th century. This estate is located two kilometres south of the town of Montalcino in the wine-growing region of Tuscany in Italy.
The name “Il Greppo” as listed on the above label, refers to the steep slopes and cliffs ofn the property. The daughter of the founder, Caterina Santi, and Jacopo Biondi continued to expand the estate. Their son Ferruccio Biondi-Santi (1848-1916) also continued the efforts begun by his grandfather of selecting particularly high-quality Sangiovese vines. Finally, he created the Sangiovese variety Brunello, and in 1888 for the first time produced a dry red wine in the style of a Barolo, which was later to gain fame as the DOCG red wine Brunello di Montalcino.
Right up to the end of the Second World War, the house of Biondi-Santi was the only commercial producer of this wine. Ferruccio introduced an extremely sophisticated cellar technology for the Riserva version, which was continued by his son Tancredi. Today, this 18 hectares estate is still overseen and managed by Franco Biondi-Santi, and assisted by some of his capable assistants; Luca Bellingardi and Massimo Buffa (Asia Exports) whom we met in Singapore in April 2008.
Bondi-Santi product offering and bottling can be summarized into the following:
Villa Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino (Red): 100% Sangiovese from a separate collection of grapes facing south-east. The wine is aged for 30 months in Slavonian oak before bottling and release. 6,250 cases.
Brunello di Montalcino Annata (Red): 100% Sangiovese from 10 to 25 year old vines located in its Greppo vineyards. The wine is aged for 36 months in Slavonian oak before bottling and release. 5,000 cases.
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (Red): Produced only in exceptional harvest and years. 100% Sangiovese from over 25 year old vines located in its Greppo vineyards. The wine is aged for 36 months in Slavonian oak before bottling and release. Around 800 cases.
Rosso di Montalcino (Red): 100% Sangiovese from young vines of some 5 to 10 year old vines located in its Greppo vineyards. The wine is aged for 12 months in Slavonian oak before bottling and release. 416 cases.
All the too rich soils are excluded and only the ‘galestrosi’ soils with South or West exposition are cultivated with vine. The rest is used for olive groves, grain crops and woodlands. Highly skilled workers perform the cultivating operations in the vineyards with great care. The two most important events are: the thinning out of the grapes before harvest – time to increase air circulation and sun exposure for the grapes and the manual selection of the grapes during the harvest, where only first quality grapes are used for Brunello production.
The wines of Bondi Santi are priced steeply and out of reach to the average wine consumer. While the wine style of Bondi has an International outllook, it still remains one of Tuscany’s best Brunello which remains as a collectible item amongst the affluent, wine collectors and Brunello followers.
Contact Details:
Tenuta Greppo (Biondi-Santi)
Località Il Greppo 1183
Italy
Tel: +39 05 7784 8087
Email:
Website: Click here.
Visits are by appointment only.
Further Reading:
Drink the Good Stuff
Decanter: Biondi Santi resigns in family disagreement
Decanter: Biondi Santi reconditioning attracts world’s collectors
Decanter: Biondi Santi charges £250 for Brunello
Decanter: Top Brunello producer declassifies 2002 vintage
New York Times: Family Pride
The Florentine: An interview with Franco Biondi-Santi
Wine.com
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2001 Tenuta Greppo (Biondi-Santi) Brunello di Montalcino
Italy, Tuscany
TH24042008. 13.5%. 100% Sangivoese. Lean black cherry, cedar and stewed fruit flavors. Medium to full-bodied, the taste showed good structure, evident acidity and a subdued palate, ending with a medium dry finish. Drink between 2009 to 2016. 
2004 Tenuta Greppo (Biondi-Santi) Rosso di Montalcino
Italy, Tuscany
TH24042008. 13.0%. 100% Sangivoese. Nice cherry blossoms on the bouquet. Medium-bodied, rich, weighty, with generous super-ripe fruit, good acidity, licorice flavors, softness and a short finish. Enjoyable now. Drink from now to 2013. 
2007 Villa Poggio Salvi Vermentino
Italy, Tuscany
TH24042008. 12.0%. 100% Vermentino Bianco. Fresh with citrus undertones. Medium-bodied, fresh, lively acidity with slightly fruitiness, and a short finish. Drink from now till 2009. 
2003 Villa Poggio Salvi Rosso Lavischino Toscano IGT
Italy, Tuscany
TH24042008. 13.5%. 100% Merlot. Spicy red cherries. Alcoholic. Medium-bodied, red plums, bit spiky sweet-sour fruity acidity, slightly spicy taste. Finish bit austere. Atypical wine for the region Tuscany as well as for the variety Merlot. Drink from 2008 to 2013.
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