Producer
This fabled estate sold a majority of its shares to Christopher Descours, the owner of Charles Heidsieck, Piper-Heidsieck and Château la Verrerie, in December 2016. While the 5th and 6th generations of the Biondi-Santi family, Jacopo and his son Tancredi, remain actively involved in the running of the estate, the investment being undertaken by Christopher Descours will ensure the property modernises in an intelligent manner. The wines are already among the very best in Montalcino, but we’re convinced that they will improve over the next few years.
Vineyards
This 150 hectare property, which abuts Costanti’s estate, has 26 hectares of vineyard split over three sites. Il Greppo, at 500 metres above sea level, is where the winery and house is situated and where the oldest plot, planted in 1936, is to be found. They also have vines down the hill to the east of Montalcino and to the north, close to Montosoli. The oldest vineyards, those over 25 years of age, are the source of grapes for the Riserva. The vines are planted in soils characterised by heavy stone and marl, which helps reduce vigour and aid concentration of flavour in the grapes.
Vinification
Vinification was carried out at controlled temperatures. The wine was then aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 36 months.