![Argiano Brunello di Montalcino "Vigna del Suolo" 2015 (Tuscany, Italy) - [WA 96] [WS 96] [WE 93] [VM 92] [DM 92]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/products/ArgianoBrunellodiMontalcino_VignadelSuolo_{width}x.png?v=1624737387)
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino "Vigna del Suolo" 2015
(Tuscany, Italy) - [WA 96] [WS 96] [WE 93] [VM 92] [DM 92]
Regular price $385.00 Sale price $219.97 Save $165.03
About this wine:
96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Here's an exciting addition to the Argiano portfolio. The Suolo vineyard is this estate's highest site (at 300 meters above sea level), and the soils are heavily calcareous in character, imparting cool aromas and freshness. This site is also home to Argiano's oldest Sangiovese vines, now 65 years old. In 2000, Argiano started bottling this fruit as an IGT Toscana wine simply called Suolo, and that wine consistently ranked as one of the most elegant expressions of Sangiovese to come from Montalcino. Starting with this vintage, that fruit is now part of an appellation wine. The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo shows the same elegance and crisp, streamlined appeal that we associate with this site. This Brunello shows an upfront and precise level of intensity that is backed by slightly more structured tannin. Its core is packed tight with wild berry, cassis and pretty herbal notes. As the wine takes on more air in the glass, it begins to show delicate layers of spice, smoke and tar. It ages in individually selected 10-hectoliter oak barrels for a long 36 months. What the wine needs now is a few more years of cellar aging." - Monica Larner (Jan 2020)
96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Intense aromas of graphite, juniper, pine and olive mark this red. Ripe cherry and raspberry flavors emerge, along with mineral and tobacco notes. Taut and concentrated, yet sleek and focused, this is harmonious in a youthful way and shows promise for future development. Exhibits fine complexity and length. Best from 2022 through 2040. 285 cases made, 100 cases imported." - BS (Web Only - 2020)
92 Points - Vinous Media:
"Medium full red with ruby tinges. Bitter cherry, cocoa powder and nutmeg complement red cherry aromas on the deep if youthfully imploded nose. Juicy and nicely delineated, but with currently only moderate nuance and flesh due to very assertive tannins that overshadow the orange peel and cherry flavors. Sharp acidity increases the austerity of this wine’s mouthfeel on the long back end. Those who are impressed by mouthcoating tannins and size will think very highly of this Brunello; myself, I’m not sure the tannins will ever resolve fully. Planted back in 1965, this old vineyard of Sangiovese was almost uprooted in 2002 but thanks to chief viticulturist Francesco Monari’s insistence, better judgement prevailed, and these grapes are now the basis of Argiano’s first single vineyard Brunello." - Ian D'Agata (Apr 2020)
92 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"The inaugural release of Argiano's first single-vineyard Brunello, which used to be bottled as an IGT under the name Suolo. It is crafted from a plot of 60-year-old vines grown on limestone-rich clay at upwards of 300 metres. Dense without being heavy, it has plenty of appeal: aromas of vanilla, wild cherry and sweet spice echo on the glossy, creamy palate. Wood notes protrude a bit on the finish, clipping it for now. However, there is plenty of stuffing to ride out a few years in the cellar. Drinking Window 2023 - 2033" - Michaela Morris (Feb 2020)
Argiano is certainly one of the icons of Montalcino, consistently releasing first-rate premium Brunello and Super-Tuscans that garner scores up to 98 points! They have the ultimate wine producing team which includes Sebastiano Rosa as General Manager of the Estate: having spent six years at the University of California at Davis, a two year tenure at Chateau Lafite Rothschild and three years at Sassacaia, he brings a strong mix of experience.
In addition, Dr. Giacomo Tachis, the most well-known winemaker in Italy, was their Consulting Oenologist until his death in 2016. His legacy includes Sassacaia, Tignanello and Solaia, to name a few. Finally, since 2013, the winery has been owned - and the wines made - by Bernardino Sani, a rising star in Montalcino.
Technical Data
It is the 1st Cru of Argiano. A unique Brunello, produced from the oldest vineyard and only in the best vintages. It is the most refined expression of Brunello.
Grape: 100% Sangiovese
Soil: Marl, ancient clay with high-level of limestone
Altitude: From 280 to 310 meters a.s.l.
Vineyard: 55 years old
Training system: Spurred Cordon, organic farming, small quantity of grape per hectare
Ratings & Reviews
"Here's an exciting addition to the Argiano portfolio. The Suolo vineyard is this estate's highest site (at 300 meters above sea level), and the soils are heavily calcareous in character, imparting cool aromas and freshness. This site is also home to Argiano's oldest Sangiovese vines, now 65 years old. In 2000, Argiano started bottling this fruit as an IGT Toscana wine simply called Suolo, and that wine consistently ranked as one of the most elegant expressions of Sangiovese to come from Montalcino. Starting with this vintage, that fruit is now part of an appellation wine. The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo shows the same elegance and crisp, streamlined appeal that we associate with this site. This Brunello shows an upfront and precise level of intensity that is backed by slightly more structured tannin. Its core is packed tight with wild berry, cassis and pretty herbal notes. As the wine takes on more air in the glass, it begins to show delicate layers of spice, smoke and tar. It ages in individually selected 10-hectoliter oak barrels for a long 36 months. What the wine needs now is a few more years of cellar aging." - Monica Larner (Jan 2020)
96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Intense aromas of graphite, juniper, pine and olive mark this red. Ripe cherry and raspberry flavors emerge, along with mineral and tobacco notes. Taut and concentrated, yet sleek and focused, this is harmonious in a youthful way and shows promise for future development. Exhibits fine complexity and length. Best from 2022 through 2040. 285 cases made, 100 cases imported." - BS (Web Only - 2020)
92 Points - Vinous Media:
"Medium full red with ruby tinges. Bitter cherry, cocoa powder and nutmeg complement red cherry aromas on the deep if youthfully imploded nose. Juicy and nicely delineated, but with currently only moderate nuance and flesh due to very assertive tannins that overshadow the orange peel and cherry flavors. Sharp acidity increases the austerity of this wine’s mouthfeel on the long back end. Those who are impressed by mouthcoating tannins and size will think very highly of this Brunello; myself, I’m not sure the tannins will ever resolve fully. Planted back in 1965, this old vineyard of Sangiovese was almost uprooted in 2002 but thanks to chief viticulturist Francesco Monari’s insistence, better judgement prevailed, and these grapes are now the basis of Argiano’s first single vineyard Brunello." - Ian D'Agata (Apr 2020)
92 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"The inaugural release of Argiano's first single-vineyard Brunello, which used to be bottled as an IGT under the name Suolo. It is crafted from a plot of 60-year-old vines grown on limestone-rich clay at upwards of 300 metres. Dense without being heavy, it has plenty of appeal: aromas of vanilla, wild cherry and sweet spice echo on the glossy, creamy palate. Wood notes protrude a bit on the finish, clipping it for now. However, there is plenty of stuffing to ride out a few years in the cellar. Drinking Window 2023 - 2033" - Michaela Morris (Feb 2020)