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Biondi-Santi: Study the aging of Rosso and Brunello
This producer is based in Tenuta Greppo, Montalcino in southern Tuscany. They make Brunello and Rosso from Sangiovese and are closely tied to the history of Brunello.
Compare Rosso 2022 and Brunello 2020 to check for differences in grape selection and maturation. Also consider what can be inferred from a comparison between wines from different harvest years.
Questions for this course
Can you explain the difference between Rosso and Brunello based solely on the barrel aging duration?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓Biondi-Santi / Learn from Producers
Italy / Tuscany / Montalcino
Synonym/Label: Biondi Santi / Biondi Santi
Update date: 2026-09-24
Two designations from the same producer
Biondi-Santi's Rosso and Brunello are red wines selecting grapes from the producer’s own vineyards in Montalcino. The information for Brunello 2020 states that Sangiovese was selected from specific plots. Before considering the aging period, check whether there’s simply a selection from the same raw material.
Who is subject to the 12 and 24 month criteria?
Rosso 2022 is aged for 12 months in Slavonian oak, and Brunello 2020 is aged for 24 months in oak from the same region. These periods refer only to barrel aging for these two wines. The total period, including bottle aging, or the statutory minimum aging for each appellation, is not directly reflected by these numbers.
Fermentation vessels are not limited to barrels
Brunello 2020 was produced using wooden vats, concrete, and stainless steel for fermentation, with indigenous yeasts from estate vineyards. After that, it was aged for 24 months in oak. The details about the final aging vessel should not be generalized to every fermentation lot.
Comparison retaining the differences between vintages
Rosso is from 2022, and Brunello is from 2020 according to the documentation. Since the harvest conditions and grape selections differ, you cannot attribute the flavor differences solely to the 12-month barrel timing difference. Use this comparison to understand maturation approaches, and gather other documents for same-vintage comparisons.
What to align and what to compare.
Raw material
- Conditions to standardize
- Selection from estate vineyards
- Conditions for comparison.
- Vineyard blocks and fruit for each label
- Additional points to confirm
- Confirm whether the raw materials are the same.
Aging
- Conditions to standardize
- Oak from Slavonia
- Conditions for comparison.
- 12 and 24 months
- Additional points to confirm
- Period in barrel and legal requirements are separate.
Vintage year
- Conditions to standardize
- Red wines from the same producer
- Conditions for comparison.
- 2022 and 2020
- Additional points to confirm
- Do not attribute the effect solely to aging
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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Interpreting Biondi-Santi’s data: Study the aging of Rosso and Brunello
Verify the ingredients and processes in the materials and consider reasons for differences.
The numbers are based on documentation from the indicated year, or the product description at the time of confirmation. Descriptions without a vintage do not guarantee specifications for all vintages.
| Comparison items | Rosso 2022 | Brunello 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material | Selection from estate vineyards | Selection from specific parcels within estate vineyards |
| Origin of the barrel. | Slavonia | Slavonia |
| Barrel aging. | 12 months | 24 months |
| Differences remaining after comparison | Harvest conditions in 2022 | 2020 harvest conditions |
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What about the 24 months for Brunello 2020?
The source distinguishes the fermentation vessel from the 24 months of oak aging. Do not treat fermentation, barrel aging, and bottle aging as a single duration.
What is the same in the materials?
Both use Slavonian oak, but the years and product selections differ. Having the same barrel origin does not mean all comparison conditions align.
Can the difference in taste be explained by the effect of 12 months of aging?
Many conditions differ between Rosso 2022 and Brunello 2020. While you can confirm the difference in aging periods, you cannot determine that this alone is the reason for the difference in flavor.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Compare the raw materials and processes in the documentation, and explain the choices made by the producer.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Rosso 2022 | Brunello 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material | Selection from estate vineyards | Selection from specific parcels within estate vineyards |
| Origin of the barrel. | Slavonia | Slavonia |
| Barrel aging. | 12 months | 24 months |
| Differences remaining after comparison | Harvest conditions in 2022 | 2020 harvest conditions |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Explain the maturation period for both wines, and list what cannot be verified unless the source grapes and vintage are standardized even for the same producer.
Check after writing
- Did you specify the product and the year?
- Did you distinguish between barrel aging and total aging?
- Was the difference in vintage or raw material retained?
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