Argiano

Rosso Non Confunditur from Argiano is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. The wine opens with a dark ruby colour and aromas of wild berries, flowers and red berries. On the palate, it thankfully does not show the cloying heaviness or dense extraction found in many other protagonists of the Super Tuscan category. In fact, NC is accessible and fresh, rounded off with a good amount of crisp acidity and a well-proportioned body. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright garnet with brightening rim. In the nose with bright spice, a hint of dark forest berries, needs some air to fully develop. On the palate then with juicy fruit and tight tannin, spreads nicely over the tongue, again juicy in the finish." Falstaff

"A bit reserved, with ample black cherry, black currant and spice flavors set within a solid structure. Fresh and focused, it lingers, echoing the fruit and adding an iron note." Wine Spectator

"The ripe berries with delicate chocolate and hazelnut undertones are very attractive, as are the dusty tannins and herbal, berry and light tobacco undertones at the finish. Just a little more time will make it all the better." James Suckling

Argiano's Rosso di Montalcino is a very beautiful and expressive wine. Dried herbs, flowers, mint, liquorice and sweet red cherries adorn this attractive, medium-bodied Rosso. Medium-textured on the palate, with nice balance and clean notes of raspberries and candied violets. Accessible early on, it offers plenty of fun with its juicy overall impression through to a surprisingly long finish and is also an excellent food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Rosso di Montalcino boasts an herbal-tinged black cherry and balsamic spiced bouquet. Rich, dark textural waves of woodland berries and minerals wash across the palate, leaving a coating of grippy young tannin in their wake, along with a sizzling of residual acids. While quite tense, this leaves the mouth watering for more, finishing with a persistent flourish of red fruit and minerals." Vinous

"The Argiano 2019 Rosso di Montalcino shows the slightly darker color and richer concentration that is characteristic of wines from this vintage. The pretty Rosso offers good depth and width, qualities obviously rendered to the palate, with rich blackberry and dark cherry flavors. On the intensity continuum that sees Rosso on one side and Brunello on the other, this wine actually clocks in closer to the Brunello side of the spectrum. That makes this an especially interesting wine for those looking for Sangiovese power at an attractive value price tag." Robert Parker

"Delicate aromas recalling forest floor, baking spice and camphor shape the nose along with a whiff of blue flower. Firmly structured and full-bodied, the palate exhibits dried cherry, licorice and tobacco set against tightly knit, fine-grained tannins. This will benefit from a few more years of cellaring." Wine Enthusiast

The grapes for the Brunello selection "Suolo" come from the vineyard of the same name and from the oldest vines of the winery. They are situated at an altitude of 320 metres on soils of clayey-limestone marl rich in skeletons and fossils. It is the ideal terroir to fully express the character of the old Sangiovese Grosso clones and it gives the wine an acidic and spicy profile. The excellent 2015 vintage is now followed by a brilliant 2016, which we have literally fallen in love with for its richness, elegance and expressive depth. Only part of the vineyard parcels are used for this label. A long ageing in 15 hectolitre barrels of Allier oak (egg-shaped barrels are also added for the 16) and a resting period in the bottle complete it and prepare it for the market and the challenge of the times.

Announcing itself with a deep ruby colour, the wine opens with a seductive bouquet in which ripe cherries and small fruits give way to more complex notes of tobacco, flowers and scrub, before fading into spices and citrus peel. The palate is broad, deep and crisp, supported by a rich acid framework that carries intact fruit and tannins of spectacular finesse. Rich but not too dense, it is assertive, profound and elegant, with an exceptional vitality that suggests glorious ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby garnet, appealing play of colours. Very precise, finely marked nose with notes of blood orange, black cherry, plum and some liquorice. Gripping, savoury tannin on the attack, builds in many layers, juicy, compact fruit, gripping on the back end, profound." Falstaff

"Mid ruby with orange tinges. At first tertiary aromas of malt. This needs lots of aeration. A little brooding but still quite backward. Earth and sour cherry. Gorgeous supple sweet fruit palate that is succulent at the same time and with a firm, tannic core. Vibrant cranberry finish. Great length and with lots of energy." Jancis Robinson

"Argiano's oldest site, Vigna del Suolo boasts 65-year-old vines of very rare Sangiovese clones. Recent soil mapping with Chilean specialist Pedro Parra has also revealed significant limestone underpinnings in the vineyard. The 2016 sports a smoky, earthy, dusty nose punctuated by dried fennel. Ripe, chalky tannins are currently front and centre, needing time to cede, while sun-soaked berries underneath speak unabashedly of its southern origins. There is much lurking in this textured, packed Brunello, including orange, mint and a twist of salty sea air." Decanter

"Aromas of wild rosemary and pine lead off in this racy red, which is permeated by flavors of cherry, raspberry and mineral. Vibrant and balanced, with the resonant tannins leaving a chalky feel on the finish. Shows fine intensity and length." Wine Spectator

"The Argiano 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo (with only 5,000 bottles produced) opens to warm earthy notes that evoke the name of the wine: "vineyard of the soil." The fruit comes through in a second wave with dried raspberry, cassis and dried cherry. But that theme of earthiness permeates the entire experience and is evoked in the powdery dryness of the tannins too. These traits are characteristic of cement fermentation, which this wine does complete, but also of the calcareous marl soils of the site. This is an elegant wine that most certainly needs extra bottle time to gain in depth and volume." Robert Parker

"Dried cherries, oyster mushrooms, black olives and citrus oil. It’s full-bodied with sleek, ultra fine tannins and a lifted finish. Layers of sour-cherry, bark and umami notes. Burgundian sensibility with purity and intensity. Wait a few years for this to open up." James Suckling

"Dusty black cherry gives way to a mix of cocoa, tobacco, candied ginger and smoke as the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo blossoms in the glass. Its sheer density is something to behold, delivered in velvety waves of opulent red fruits, with hints of tangerine that motivate, setting the entire experience and keeping it fresh and deeply seductive. Fine tannins and minerals mingle through the incredibly long, dramatic finale as the mouth waters for more. Licorice, cacao, plum; it just goes on and on. The 2016 is a rock star." Vinous

"Made with vines that average 55 years old, this fragrant, single-vineyard Brunello boasts aromas of violet, menthol, wild berry and spice. Loaded with class and finesse, the delicious, full-bodied palate features Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, blood orange, licorice and a hint of coffee alongside polished, velvety tannins. A salty mineral note lingers on the finish." Wine Enthusiast

The grapes for the Brunello selection "Suolo" come from the vineyard of the same name and from the oldest vines of the winery. They are situated at an altitude of 320 metres on soils of clayey-limestone marl rich in skeletons and fossils. It is the ideal terroir to fully express the character of the old Sangiovese Grosso clones and it gives the wine an acidic and spicy profile. The excellent 2015 vintage is now followed by a brilliant 2016, which we have literally fallen in love with for its richness, elegance and expressive depth. Only part of the vineyard parcels are used for this label. A long ageing in 15 hectolitre barrels of Allier oak (egg-shaped barrels are also added for the 16) and a resting period in the bottle complete it and prepare it for the market and the challenge of the times.

Announcing itself with a deep ruby colour, the wine opens with a seductive bouquet in which ripe cherries and small fruits give way to more complex notes of tobacco, flowers and scrub, before fading into spices and citrus peel. The palate is broad, deep and crisp, supported by a rich acid framework that carries intact fruit and tannins of spectacular finesse. Rich but not too dense, it is assertive, profound and elegant, with an exceptional vitality that suggests glorious ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby garnet, appealing play of colours. Very precise, finely marked nose with notes of blood orange, black cherry, plum and some liquorice. Gripping, savoury tannin on the attack, builds in many layers, juicy, compact fruit, gripping on the back end, profound." Falstaff

"Mid ruby with orange tinges. At first tertiary aromas of malt. This needs lots of aeration. A little brooding but still quite backward. Earth and sour cherry. Gorgeous supple sweet fruit palate that is succulent at the same time and with a firm, tannic core. Vibrant cranberry finish. Great length and with lots of energy." Jancis Robinson

"Argiano's oldest site, Vigna del Suolo boasts 65-year-old vines of very rare Sangiovese clones. Recent soil mapping with Chilean specialist Pedro Parra has also revealed significant limestone underpinnings in the vineyard. The 2016 sports a smoky, earthy, dusty nose punctuated by dried fennel. Ripe, chalky tannins are currently front and centre, needing time to cede, while sun-soaked berries underneath speak unabashedly of its southern origins. There is much lurking in this textured, packed Brunello, including orange, mint and a twist of salty sea air." Decanter

"Aromas of wild rosemary and pine lead off in this racy red, which is permeated by flavors of cherry, raspberry and mineral. Vibrant and balanced, with the resonant tannins leaving a chalky feel on the finish. Shows fine intensity and length." Wine Spectator

"The Argiano 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo (with only 5,000 bottles produced) opens to warm earthy notes that evoke the name of the wine: "vineyard of the soil." The fruit comes through in a second wave with dried raspberry, cassis and dried cherry. But that theme of earthiness permeates the entire experience and is evoked in the powdery dryness of the tannins too. These traits are characteristic of cement fermentation, which this wine does complete, but also of the calcareous marl soils of the site. This is an elegant wine that most certainly needs extra bottle time to gain in depth and volume." Robert Parker

"Dried cherries, oyster mushrooms, black olives and citrus oil. It’s full-bodied with sleek, ultra fine tannins and a lifted finish. Layers of sour-cherry, bark and umami notes. Burgundian sensibility with purity and intensity. Wait a few years for this to open up." James Suckling

"Dusty black cherry gives way to a mix of cocoa, tobacco, candied ginger and smoke as the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo blossoms in the glass. Its sheer density is something to behold, delivered in velvety waves of opulent red fruits, with hints of tangerine that motivate, setting the entire experience and keeping it fresh and deeply seductive. Fine tannins and minerals mingle through the incredibly long, dramatic finale as the mouth waters for more. Licorice, cacao, plum; it just goes on and on. The 2016 is a rock star." Vinous

"Made with vines that average 55 years old, this fragrant, single-vineyard Brunello boasts aromas of violet, menthol, wild berry and spice. Loaded with class and finesse, the delicious, full-bodied palate features Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, blood orange, licorice and a hint of coffee alongside polished, velvety tannins. A salty mineral note lingers on the finish." Wine Enthusiast