Tenuta Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore 2020
(Tuscany, Italy) - [JS 96] [WS 95] [JD 95] [WA 94+] [DM 94]

About the Winery:
The Argentiera Estate is situated on the coast of Tuscany about 100km southwest of Florence. In the prestigious DOC of Bolgheri, Argentiera is the estate closest to the sea and also highest in altitude, making the land especially well-suited to growing incredible red grapes. The estate is considered among the most beautiful in Italy with its spectacular view of the islands of the Tuscan archipelago. The property stretches across 80 hectares of vines, all in the Bolgheri DOC. The soil composition varies throughout the vineyards, from sandy to calcareous and stony, offering complexity to the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah. The wineries and cellars are made of recycled or traditional materials such as terracotta and baked roofing tiles. The vineyards are surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and the countryside is flush with maritime pines and olive tree groves.

About this Wine:

TASTING NOTES Deep ruby red color with a nose expressing complex cherry, plum, and spice tones on a backbone of leather, black pepper, and almonds. Mint and eucalyptus sponsor the spice tones coming from perfect Cabernet Franc vines while sweet tobacco leaf notes offer depth supported by vanilla and toffee oak notes.

CULTIVATION Grapes were handpicked and vinified separately by varietal.

BLEND 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc

VINIFICATION Maceration and fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks for 25-30 days at a controlled temperature of 28-30° C. Malolactic fermentation was then completed in 225 liter French-oak barrels, half new oak.

AGING Aged 18 months in barrels then another 12 in the bottle, prior to release.

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - James Suckling:
Rich aromas of currants and plums with chocolate and walnut undertones. Full-bodied and chewy with layers of tannins. It’s a big wine and very juicy with a polished and long finish. Needs five to six years to soften. Best after 2027.

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
A dark, brooding red, yet also smooth and complex, revealing black currant, blackberry, plum, loam and sweet spice flavors. Beautifully balanced and fluid, with a long, detailed aftertaste that flexes the tannins. Impressive. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2040. 6,500 cases made, 850 cases imported.

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
The 2020 Argentiera displays a fully saturated red hue and reveals some blue fruits that starting to shine through in the glass, along with notes of boysenberry, dark chocolate, graphite, and pine sap. Ample and full-bodied, with ripe tannins, it takes on a more savory and herbal profile with notes of espresso and grilled rosemary on the palate and has a long finish. Ample and seriously styled, I enjoy its more savory profile, but for those looking for the primary fruit, this is not necessarily the wine for you. It would be phenomenal with Bistecca Fiorentina and lamb. Drink 2025-2045.

It is no exaggeration to say this is truly one of the most beautiful and picturesque estates in the world, with panoramic views cascading to the ocean, and I highly recommend a visit. Situated in the southern corner of Bolgheri, the wines are built around the 83 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon they have planted exclusively within the DOC. The Ventaglio is a cru concept from a single vineyard located two kilometers from the ocean, planted in 2010 to Cabernet Franc, which they have been bottling since the 2015 vintage. The vines here are planted in a full circle at the top of the hill around a single olive tree (thus the name “Ventaglio” meaning “fan”) and are trained in to keep ventilation flowing through the vineyard. (Drink between 2025-2045)

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
‘The weather during summer was regular and dry, without excessively high temperatures and only a thunderstorm by the end of August that brought 40mm of rain, which became fundamental for the final stage of grape maturation. Waiting for the perfect polyphenolic maturity of the reds led to harvesting abundant Merlot grapes endowed with remarkable fruit,’ commented Leonardo Raspini, managing director of the estate. Argentiera typically shines for its reddish fruit in this hilly southern part of Bolgheri, and here we have an intensity of red fruits, mostly cherry, which dominates the notes along with a floral touch. The style is juicy with refined, velvety tannins, zesty acidity, and a polished, elegant palate impression. The use of oak is balanced, with a soft toastiness and restrained tobacco aftertaste. Still tight at the moment, this will need bottle ageing to soften it.

94+ Points - Wine Advocate:

The Argentiera 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Argentiera is not as profound or long as we've seen in recent past vintages, yet this remains a proud and careful hot-vintage expression of 48% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. The fruit intensity starts off with a bang, and the wine revs high into sixth gear for the first few moments. However, the experience is just a bit shorter overall. You might want to give it more time in bottle. 2024-2038.