Maurizio Abbà

9.5

2005 was a challenging year for Tuscany, especially in Montalcino. Several days of raining (especially in March and September) interrupted the ripening of the grapes. Only the best vineyards, with south/south-east exposure, reached maturity. Among them, we can find Greppo, the single vineyard from Biondi-Santi estate. Biondi-Santi is the father of Brunello, the first bottle of one of the Italian flagship wines being bottled by Ferruccio Biondi-Santi in 1888. It is also the first DOCG in Italy. In short, it's history in a glass. We can be safe in assuming that, even in difficult years such as 2005, this producer will extract all the value in the grape.

The color, after 3 years in Slavonian oak casks and 14 years in bottle, is a beautiful garnet red with orange finishing. Beautiful, powerful. The nose starts with the typical notes of Sangiovese, rose, sour cherry, a hint of almonds, while age delivers tertiary flavors such as leather, tobacco, cedar. There are no gamey notes that can be found in older Brunellos slightly over their expiration date, a sign of the ability of the winemaker to make the most out of this difficult year. A subtle hint of vanilla completes the bouquet.
The first sip reveals a powerful acidity (maybe too much), probably a sign of the cold weather, paired with perceptible alcol level and smooth, refined tannins. The balance is almost perfect, alcol and acidity creating a wonderful pair, where mature tannins are able to perform at their best (medium-high acidity, medium alcol, medium-high mature tannins, full body).

The aftertaste is long, pleasant, offering taste of sour cherry and hints of tobacco. Lastly, we find again this subtle note of vanilla.
Biondi-Santi produced less than 40000 bottles in 2005, and we recommend to open them now, as this year is now at its peak. Difficult years require savvy hands to work the grape, and Biondi-Santi is one of the master in the art of winemaking. — 5 years ago

Eddie Abernathy

9.0

Nice vanilla finish. Sweet but not too sweet. — 7 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

8.9

Arneis with Sergi, Ferruccio and Sergi's wife - I reunion with Sergi and Ferruccio after 25 years, paired with with young tuma di Murazzano, wild boar salame and grissini. — 7 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.2

Riesling from Langa. Very fine. Had it with Paolo, Ferruccio and Cristiano. High school friends reunion after 28 years! Memorable. Had it with vitello tonnato e carne cruda. — 7 years ago

eagle_eye

9.1

Citrus, especially grapefruit. Light mineral finish.
— 8 years ago

Chanda Williams

9.2

Velvety alternative to our favorite Vernatsch. Thanks For the great recommendations Danny at Piccino — 8 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.4

Fantastic gift from the owner of La Libera - great evening with Gianluca Ferruccio Paolo and Cristiano — 6 years ago

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9.3

Bright amber gold. Penetrating aromas of grapefruit, orange blossom and honey. Then thick, rich and suave, showing lovely freshness to the citrus and cinnamon flavors. Finishes smooth, long and honeyed. Remarkably well balanced, this strikes me as being the best Oirad ever. Very much like a late-harvest air-dried Moscato Bianco wine. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.3

Great Nebbiolo in Turin! Had it with Jerome, Ferruccio, Georgio and Matt. Paired it with carne cruda di Fassone and agnolotti di carne. Deep, hints of violets — 6 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.9

Memorable wine and reunion. Barolo 1971. Kept its structure, strong hints of berries. Had it with Sergi after 24 years, and Ferruccio. Paired it with toma cheese, antipasto piemontese di verdure, agnolotti al plin, salame di cinghiale, cipollotti bolliti. MEMORABLE — 7 years ago

Michael Amoruso

9.1

Dried red fruits. Chocolate. Not too tannic. — 7 years ago

Sophia Schlette

9.3

Oh wow. This isn't your regular Vermentino, and it is not a food companion. It is a fruity, well balanced, rich, charming stand-alone white wine. Glad I had it after the Ischian chicken, not with it. Hints of ice wine, and yes, you can have it with cheese and/or for dessert. Discovery at #LimaLima, Berlin (to be sure: LL is a Mediterranean shell, nothing to do with Peru) — 8 years ago

Jonathan Clark

8.9

Cranberry sauce, dust, orange zest aromas. Bright strawberry jolly rancher fruit on the palate... Bramble and tobacco. Light to medium body. Would be great with food, but drinking it after dinner tonight. — 8 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.0

Nice red from Etna - Passorosso 2016. With Gianluca Cristiano Paolo and Ferruccio — 6 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.2

Dinner with Gianluca Capetta, AFTER 28 years, Cristiano, Ferruccio e Paolo — 6 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.1

Excellent Nebbiolo - great bouquet - had it with Ferruccio in Alba — 6 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.9

Memorable wine and reunion. Barolo 1971. With Sergi, after 24 years, Sergi's wife Inoah and Ferruccio. Had it with ravioli al plin with ragout, antipasto piemontese di verdure, wild boar salami and tuma di murazzano. Memorable. — 7 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.2

Excellent Pinot Noir from Sud Tirol. Had with Paolo, Ferruccio and Cristiano. Memorable — 7 years ago

Robert McNally

9.0

I ended up with this bottle of wine after a very good Italian eatery down here in Miami botched an order. It was a trade for the inconvenience - their choice. What a surprise. Light and fruity on the nose with limestone and blackberry. Drinks like velvet. Cherry finish without any bite. What a pleasant win for me. No surprise given I am a very big fan of Sardinian wine — 7 years ago

Ted Germosen

9.1

#FerruccioDeiana 2012 #CannonaudiSardegna #Sileno
Very expressive crushed violet, black berries, black olive & a tad saline, licorice, leathery, & burned earth and gamey. Big & lithe with great finish.
#Cannonau #Sardegna #Italianwine
#somm #sommlife #sommelier #wineofthenight — 8 years ago