Biondi-Santi
Brunello di Montalcino Annata
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
2018
Vintage
Varietal
Sangiovese (Brunello clone)
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
Approaching Peak: drinkable, but best years are ahead.
In 2026 the wine is just entering its drinking window but remains dominated by primary fruit and firm tannins. The dried herbs, violet, and orange-zest notes that mark mature Biondi-Santi are still years away. This is a wine to hold, not open. If you do open one, decant for 4+ hours and serve with substantial food.
The ‘18 Brunello di Montalcino Annata.
From the founding estate of Brunello di Montalcino, the Annata is a classically structured Sangiovese built on patience and saline precision.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Translucent garnet with a gradually receding crimson rim. The nose is austere and pure: red cherry, dried rose petal, and a distinct iron-and-blood-orange note that is a Biondi-Santi signature. The palate is medium-bodied yet structurally dense, with tightly wound tannins (9/10) and laser-focused acidity (8/10) that keeps the fruit precise rather than rich. Sour cherry, pomegranate, and Mediterranean herbs run through the mid-palate. The finish is long, saline, and unmistakably mineral, built around the calcareous clay of the Greppo estate.
The 2018 vintage
2018 in Brunello di Montalcino produced wines of classical proportions: moderate alcohol, high acidity, and firm tannins that demand cellaring before approachability. Estates with old vines and traditional vinification, Biondi-Santi being the archetype, particularly benefited from the vintage's restraint, producing wines built for the long arc.
About Biondi-Santi
Biondi-Santi is the founding estate of Brunello di Montalcino, having created the modern category in the late 19th century from a single Sangiovese clone selected at the Tenuta Greppo. The Annata represents the estate's standard release each vintage, vinified from 100% Sangiovese Grosso and aged a minimum of 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks.
From the cellar: pair with
Slow-braised wild boar ragu with pappardelle
The boar's gamey richness and long-cooked tomato softens the still-firm tannins and brings out the wine's savory depth.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina with rosemary
The regional pairing: Tuscan T-bone's char and simplicity let the wine's structure and saline finish stand on their own.
Aged Pecorino Toscano with truffle honey
Salty, nutty sheep's milk cheese mirrors the wine's Mediterranean salinity, and the honey rounds the still-young tannins.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 62-64°F (16-18°C)
- Decanting
- 4+ hours if opened in 2026. By 2035, 90 minutes will be sufficient.
- Cellar Storage
- 55°F (13°C), 60-70% humidity, minimal vibration.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
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Frequently Asked
Is 2018 Biondi-Santi Brunello Annata ready to drink?
Technically yes. The drinking window opened in 2026, but the wine is still in its primary phase with firm tannins. It will not enter true peak expression until approximately 2032 and will hold beautifully through 2048.
How long will 2018 Biondi-Santi Brunello age?
Top Biondi-Santi vintages routinely age 40-60 years. The 2018 has the structure to match: expect peak between 2032 and 2048, with graceful decline through 2058.
Should I decant 2018 Biondi-Santi?
If you open one in 2026, decant for at least 4 hours. The wine is tightly wound and needs significant air to begin showing its complexity. By 2035, 90 minutes will be enough.
How does Biondi-Santi differ from other Brunello?
Biondi-Santi is the founding estate of Brunello di Montalcino and is known for an austere, structured, and restrained style that contrasts with the riper, more powerful style of many modern Brunello producers. The wines are built for decades of aging rather than near-term enjoyment.