Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino 2020
Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino 2020
96 Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino has a beautifully inviting, multi-dimensional nose, with black raspberries, tea leaf, violets, rosemary, and subtle smoky accents that give way to brighter red cherry fruit with air. Medium to full-bodied, it comes across as one of the more approachable, immediate vintages from the estate in a relative sense, offering more early charm while still staying true to Biondi-Santi’s signature tension and freshness. It has ripe tannins, a sense of quiet structure, and a savory youthful grip on the finish that keeps it honest and age-worthy. This is a wine I would love to revisit with more bottle age. Drink 2027-2047. (AF)
96 Wine Enthusiast
The nose is floral and sweet, but refreshing thanks to clean, balancing aromas of mint and dirt. The palate takes that freshness a step further, to a light, bouncy, almost astringent level. Precocious tannins are young yet dense and supportive, while jubilant acid sings. (DC)
95 Kerin O'Keefe
Forest floor, lavender, eucalyptus and wild berry aromas waft out of the glass on the fragrant Biondi Santi 2020 Brunello along with whiffs of new leather and spice. Polished and showing understated finesse, the linear palate features ripe Morello cherry, licorice and bitter orange set against a backbone of well integrated tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced and bright. (KO)
95 Wine Advocate
Silky and fine in texture, the Biondi-Santi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is more subdued at this stage, requiring additional time to fully flesh out. With air, it gains definition and aromatic clarity, revealing floral tones of wild rose alongside light spice and a subtle mineral or graphite note on the finish. The floral dimension stands out nicely. The 2020 growing season was defined by a cold winter with snowfall on March 23 followed by timely June rainfall that supported the vegetative cycle, allowing harvest to conclude before late-September rains. Favoring finesse over power, the vintage aligns naturally with Biondi-Santi’s traditionally restrained style, shaped by an estate philosophy that prioritizes balance, transparency and longevity. Fermentation was carried out with indigenous yeasts, and the wine aged for 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks, in keeping with long-standing cellar practice. (ML)
95 Wine Spectator
A ripe style, this red offers macerated cherry, strawberry, eucalyptus, rosemary and iron flavors. Supported by firm tannins, while lively acidity drives the long finish and the lasting impression of sweet fruit. This is approachable now, especially with food, but will be even better in two to three years. Best from 2028 through 2045. 2,200 cases imported. (BS)
94 Vinous
A vibrant ruby hue, the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is perfumed and highly expressive. A candied cherry flourish on the entry meets enhancing notes of orange zest, pine shavings, dusty earth and leather. Hints of olive and a saline mineral core complicate silken textures and tart wild berry fruits on the savory palate. Showing amazing lift and finesse, the 2020 finishes only lightly structured with excellent length, leaving a resonance of licorice and plum. The purity here is fantastic. (EG)
