Biondi Santi Rosso di Montalcino Fascia Rossa 2014

Biondi Santi is a Tuscan producer synonymous with the wines of Brunello di Montalcino and, indeed, has claims to being the inventor of the style. The wines are fragrant and floral with savoury hints, with bright berry and cherry fruit and peppery spice over a backbone of fine tannins and acidity. Riservas are only released in the best years, can last for many decades and often need 15 or more years to be tasted at their best. The Biondi Santi vineyard has 25 hectares (62 acres) of Sangiovese, of which 5ha (12 acres) were planted between 1930-1972. These form the basis of the Riserva wines, while the standard wine is made from vines in the 10-25 year bracket. Fruit from vines under 10 years old supplies the dry, brightly aromatic Rosso di Montalcino. In poorer years when no Brunello is released, Biondi Santi makes a second Rosso di Montalcino called Fascia Rossa with fruit from the older vines.