Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015

Lobenberg: Biondi Santi verkörpert in seinen Brunelli immer noch den Geist der Tradition. Nicht die überwältigende Frucht eines Soldera, Poggio di Sotto oder Valdicava, eher basierend auf der Eleganz eines Salvioni einen erdigen Ansatz aufbauend. Balsamico, Trüffel, Erde, Amarena, Zwetschge. Tiefes, würziges Finale. Feige und geröstetes Holz, aber altes Holz. Komplex und aromatisch, sehr hintergründig. Immer noch "a class of its own". 98-100/100

Suckling: Complex yet pure, subtle and refined nose that gently evolves, with mossy red cherries, dried roses, chalk, tar and dried orange peel. There is a lift of clove and eucalyptus that makes it so distinctive. A powerful, medium-to full-bodied Brunello, but seamless and bright, with a fine, transparent mid-palate and restrained, mineral austerity. Understated complexity that will need time to bloom. Hold until 2026. 97/100 (2022)

Parker: The Biondi-Santi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is initially a reticent wine and one that does not immediately subscribe to the overstated abundance and exuberance of the vintage. Give it time. I wrote this review after several tastings over several days so I could ensure a more accurate account of the wine's elegant reveal. Contemplative and exceedingly nuanced in personality, with wild berry, underbrush, ferrous earth and candied orange peel, this has everything to look forward to in terms of its future evolution in the bottle. It displays a pretty ruby color that borders on garnet and polished copper. A silky, mid-weight palate is accented by beautifully managed and silky tannins (this aspect of the mouthfeel is extraordinary), bright freshness and long-lasting fruit momentum. The alcohol is a bit more powerful in this release (at 14.5%), but the effect is supple and smooth nonetheless. I tasted bottle number 256. 98+/100 (2022)

Falstaff: Leuchtendes, elegantes Rubinrot mit aufhellendem Rand. In der Nase fein gezeichnet, nach reifen Himbeeren und saftigen Zwetschken, dazu tolles Zedernholz, im Nachhall nach Blutorange und zart nach Feuerstein. Sehr saftig und ausgewogen am Gaumen, mit tollem Spannungsbogen, kommt in vielen Schichten daher, wirkt pur und präzise, drückt im Abgang nochmal auf den Gaumen, finessenreich und endlos. 98/100