HISTORY
The story of Tenuta di Biserno begins with one of the most prominent figures in Italian winemaking, Marchese Lodovico Antinori.
In 1994 when Lodovico was scouting for land to expand the great super-Tuscan estate Ornellaia, he came across a unique 90 hectare estate that would later become Biserno.
Tucked away in the hills of Bibbona in the Upper Maremma, Lodovico found that the geological and topographical features of the estate were too different to those of Ornellaia — largely due to the fact that soils were too stony and the area too hilly to create a contiguous plot — and so despite falling in the love with the site, the creation of Biserno would have to wait.
However, following the sale of Ornellaia in 2002, Lodovico was free to renew his interest in the estate that captivated him 8 years earlier, and in partnership with his brother Marchese Pietro Antinori, Tenuta di Biserno was formed.
BIBBONA
The stunning views over the hills of Bibbona and the Tyrrhenian Sea, give you a real sense of the terroir that underpins the wines of Tenuta di Biserno.
The first and most obvious is the moderating influence of Bibbona’s maritime climate, which acts as an important counterpoint to the warmth of the Tuscan sun. Moreover, an often-overlooked aspect of terroir is luminosity, as Biserno enjoys excellent light and benefits from perfect exposure to the sun. This combination of coastal breezes and ideal exposure allows the vines rest during the night and achieve more even ripening throughout the growing season.
Biserno’s soils are a combination of clay and the famous “Bolgheri Conglemerate”, which is renowned for its rich mineral content. As at Ornellaia, it is these mineral rich soils that persuaded Lodovico to plant exclusively Bordeaux varietals. On sheltered north-western slopes with denser maritime sediments and clay, Merlot thrives, whereas the higher free-draining gravelly sites are perfect for the Cabernets.
It must be noted that within the estate that there is a very individual parcel, set apart, which was found to produce wines of a very particular, unique character and personality which everyone in the team decided ought to be fostered. It is only offered in particularly advantageous years. This parcel, Vigna Lodovico produces Lodovico, the flagship of the estate which will be offered separately.
The Team
The team is led by chief executive Niccolò Marzichi Lenzi. Niccolò is Lodovico and Piero’s nephew, son of their sister Ilaria.
Director of viticulture Ranieri Orsini possesses an intimate knowledge of the vineyards and intuitively knows what Lodovico is looking for, having worked with him at Ornellaia for seven years.
Helena Lindberg is the winemaker, tasked with interpreting he ingredients of the vineyards as faithfully as possible. Formerly a food scientist, she had worked in the Barossa Valley in Australia and then in New Zealand, developing a fervent interest in wine which ultimately took her to France to study oenology. She has worked with Lodovico at Biserno since 2004.
Lodovico also enjoys the continued help and support of his good friend Michel Rolland as consultant. This is a relationship which goes back to Tenuta dell’Ornellaia and Masseto days in the mid-Eighties and remains strong and constant.
THE GROWING SEASON
2019 Growing Season
2019 was a moderate year with more consistent rainfall in spring, which resulted in slightly cooler temperatures than average. At the beginning of June temperatures increased and the vines blossomed, although a little later than usual. The summer recorded average temperatures, but maintained the important fluctuations in heat between day and night. The harvest began in the second week of September 2019 with the Merlot grapes. The Petit Verdot was harvested at the end of September. The harvest ended with the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, in the last week of September and the first week of October.
2018 Growing Season
There were textbook conditions in winter - below freezing in the first months of the year and abundant rainfall. There was further rainfall during the spring months, continuing even as summer approached. During the summer months, the temperature hovered around the usual 30 degrees, there was an optimum difference between night and day temperatures, as well as plenty of cooling breezes. There were no water shortages and the grapes ripened exceptionally well. The vintage turned out to be particularly beneficial for Merlot. The harvest was done by hand, using small crates of 15 kg. Merlot was harvested in the first half of September, while Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot were harvested from 25th September until 10th October.
THE WINES
IL PINO 2019
Deep ruby colour. Aromas of violet, raspberry, black cherry and bitter chocolate. The palate is prettily perfume-infused, with vivacious, upbeat acidity lifting the substantial dark berry flavours, with inky, rocky minerality beneath. Fine, grippy tannins make for a well-defined Tuscan red of presence which (as I had hoped…) retains its flirtatious, fun-loving side! Wears its 14.5% abv lightly.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5-18
Recommended drinking from 2024 - 2029
£215/CASE OF 6 Bottles
£225/CASE OF 12 Halves
£80/CASE OF 1 Magnum
£180/CASE OF 1 Double Magnum
All prices are quoted in bond UK
BISERNO 2019
Dense ruby colour. Intense red berries, candied cherries along with notes of aniseed and spice make for a compelling nose. The palate is pure and open, resoundingly red fruited with a minty freshness framed by fine, detailed tannins. A wonderfully polished Biserno.
Corney & Barrow Score 18+
Recommended drinking from 2026 - 2033
£645/CASE OF 6 Bottles
£235/CASE OF 1 Magnum
£525/CASE OF 1 Double Magnum
All prices are quoted in bond UK
BISERNO 2018
Deep ruby colour, with hints of brick. Blackberries, figs, plums, violets and cedary spices on the impressively multifaceted nose. The palate’s dark berry fruit is tightly packed on the entry, along with fine chalky tannins making for a sense of restrained power, which opens onto a more red-fruited, fleshier mid-palate, with mint and tomato leaf.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2025 - 2032
£645/CASE OF 6 Bottles
£235/CASE OF 1 Magnum
£525/CASE OF 1 Double Magnum
All prices are quoted in bond UK