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Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Annata 2012

  • Kerin O'Keefe
    96 Points
  • James Suckling
    95 Points
  • Ian D'Agata
    94 Points
  • Jancis Robinson MW
    18 Points
Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Annata 2012
  • Kerin O'Keefe
    96 Points
  • James Suckling
    95 Points
  • Ian D'Agata
    94 Points
  • Jancis Robinson MW
    18 Points
Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Annata 2012
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Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Annata 2012

SKU: BSAB201210 UCAU
15 Plus Years
Regular price $449.99 / bottle
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The last Annata Brunello made by Franco Biondi-Santi before his passing in 2013.

96pts, Kerin O'Keefe!

Sourced from a premium private cellar

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Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Annata 2012

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Tasting Notes

Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Annata 2012 stands as a remarkable vintage from one of Italy's most revered winemaking families. This wine is profoundly significant as the final Annata Brunello crafted by Franco Biondi-Santi before his passing in 2013, encapsulating a lifetime of dedication and tradition in every bottle.

Originating from the esteemed Montalcino region in Tuscany, renowned globally for producing some of the finest Brunellos, the 2012 vintage benefits from an ideal balance of climate conditions. This equilibrium fostered a wine that combines elegance with power, showcasing the full potential of the Sangiovese grape. The unique terroir, defined by well-drained soils and favorable microclimates, enables the grapes to reach optimal ripeness while preserving vibrant natural acidity and structured tannins.

The 2012 Annata has earned critical acclaim, receiving 96 points from Kerin O'Keefe, a leading expert on Italian wines. It presents a complex and inviting bouquet featuring dark cherry, ripe plums, and delicate notes of spice and leather. The palate is layered with refined tannins and bright acidity, culminating in a long, memorable finish that underscores its exceptional aging capability.

This exquisite bottle was sourced from a premium private cellar, ensuring superior provenance and meticulous preservation that enhances its authenticity. It embodies Biondi-Santi’s pioneering philosophy of patient craftsmanship, minimal intervention, and deep respect for tradition, all hallmarks that have defined this iconic estate over generations.

Offering both immediate enjoyment and excellent potential for further aging, this Brunello di Montalcino Annata 2012 captures the essence of Italian winemaking heritage and the extraordinary character of the Montalcino terroir.

Critic Scores

Underbrush, ripe berry, new leather and Mediterranean herb aromas slowly take shape in the glass. Showing youthful tension, the vibrant palate delivers red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and pipe tobacco notes framed by bright acidity and taut, refined tannins. It already shows great balance and finesse but is still young and tight. Drink 2022–2035.

Love the dried lemon rind, florals and red fruits. Medium to full body and a solid core of fruit and spices. Long and flavorful finish. Just a hint of sweet tobacco. Better in 2020.

Bright red. Fresh, complex aromas of sweet red berries, pomegranate, sour red cherry, orange peel, violet and brown spices. Bright and juicy, with building density and multilayered flavors of sour red cherries and raspberry, complicated by a hint of peach. Finishes long and clean with strong mineral and floral nuances. This is an extremely fruity and remarkably ready to drink Brunello for this property, known for tough as nails wines when young that normally require lots of patience. Still, despite its obvious upfront charm, this has real structure and depth and will age well.Easily one of the top three Brunellos of the vintage. Drink 2022-2036

Mid ruby with orange tinges. Brooding, complex nose and very tight and compact palate. Succulent but very closed and with masses of fine tannins. It is a beautifully balanced whole, but right now a little austere and locked, yet more open than the 2011. The most elegant wine of this vintage. Drink 2022-2036

Vinification & Cultivation

Crafted only for our premium wines

Vineyard Cultivation

Biondi-Santi, one of Brunello's founding estates (established 1820s), operates Tenuta Greppo across steep clay-limestone slopes overlooking Montalcino. The 2012 vintage challenged Tuscany profoundly: cool spring, late flowering, and intermittent summer rain delayed ripening significantly, requiring selective harvesting of fully ripe parcels only. Biondi-Santi's philosophy emphasises terroir-driven viticulture and longevity over immediate power. Old-vine Sangiovese (Brunello clone) on austere, mineral soils yields wines favouring balance, silhouette, and ageability. The estate applies organic principles and low-input farming, respecting vineyard heritage and natural soil character development.

Vinification

Brunello di Montalcino protocol mandates minimum five years in wood (minimum two in large oak casks) before commercial release. Biondi-Santi employs traditional large Slavonian oak botti for gradual maturation, permitting slow oxidative development and mineral expression without aggressive wood influence. Fermentation conducted in open wooden vats with ambient yeasts; post-fermentation maceration extends weeks, building complexity and phenolic structure. The 2012's cooler-vintage profile demanded careful élevage: slow, temperature-controlled maturation preserved mid-palate freshness. Tannin architecture developed steadily through five years in wood.

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