TENUTA ARGENTIERA
TUSCANY, ITALY 2021
Why Buy: How about this for value? A Bolgheri Superiore 2021 that boasts a similar score (97 points) to the icons of the region, like Sassicaia and Ornellaia (it shares the same remarkable terroir), but comes in at less than half the price. That's a wine to buy by the caseload, friends. And don't sleep on the rest of the wines in this collection, which represents everything we love about the justly-revered Bolgheri, and which — because Argentiera puts such a premium on maturation before release — are all ready to pour and enjoy right now.
What They're Saying: The Ventaglio captured James Suckling from the very start. “Extremely aromatic,” he wrote, in a 98-point paean, "and so subtle on the nose.” He went on to single out its “superb tannins that are very long and precise,” and to call it a "reference point Cabernet Franc for the area." He was equally impressed with the “beautiful” Bolgheri Superiore 2021, bestowing 97 points and praising its "lovely harmony and precision," along with its "vertical energy.” The Wine Advocate found, in the Villa Donoratico, an "articulate and generous” wine "with thick layers of black fruit, stewed plum, sweet earth and pressed blackberry,” rightly declaring that it "tastes more like a Bolgheri Superiore" than a standard Rosso.
Our Tasting Notes: The crown jewel of the collection is undoubtedly the Ventaglio 2018. From a 1.5-hectare hillside plot of Cabernet Franc surrounded by natural trees, this rare release (only 3,000 bottles produced) has reached a level of aromatic complexity and structural finesse that few Italian wines can match. The Bolgheri Superiore 2021 is right there with it in our estimation; it serves up a feast of blue fruit notes that reveal themselves in waves, along with that precision of expression on which Argentiera has built so much of its reputation. In the Villa Donoratico 2021, a blend predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, delivers unexpected power and refinement — at less than $47 a bottle, it’s a minor marvel. Last but by no means least: the Poggio ai Ginepri Rosso 2022, which, at less than $26 a bottle, offers a great — and delicious — introduction to Argentiera's ongoing and laudable commitment to quality at every price point.
The Story: Situated on the coast of Tuscany, about 60 miles southwest of Florence, Argentiera is the closest Bolgheri winery to the sea, as well as the one with the highest altitude. These two geographical advantages create a microclimate that few other estates can match — cooling sea breezes that moderate the Tuscan heat, while the elevation (200 meters at its highest point) creates the diurnal temperature variation that allows grapes to develop complexity while maintaining acidity. The Maremma region itself has transformed over the decades, from a once-marshy backwater to what is now recognized as some of the best vineyard terroir in all of Italy. Argentiera draws additional character from its rich and varied soil, by turns sandy, calcareous and stony, that helps to develop complexity in its Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah. Since 1999, when brothers Corrado and Marcello Fratini took over operations, the estate has undergone massive investment in both vineyards and cellars. Today, winemaker Nicolò Carrara applies standards that are as demanding and as exacting as they come, both in the field and in the cellar, resulting in wines that combine power and finesse in the way that only the finest Super Tuscans can achieve.
Fun Fact: Argentiera is named for the silver ("argento") mines that once dotted the hills of the Maremma, a reminder that this land has been prized for its riches long before it became famous for its wines.
What to Pair Them With: Save the Ventaglio and Bolgheri Superiore for the kind of meals that mark a special occasion (a Christmas Eve dinner with standing rib roast, say) or enjoy them contemplatively on their own. The Villa Donoratico is a versatile performer that will enhance nearly any rich meat (but particularly leg of lamb and pork and veal roasts), as well as any rich stew or braise. The Poggio ai Ginepri is a reminder that excellence doesn't always require a special occasion: we love it with pizza and pasta.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Order yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, KY, MI, NE, NY, OK, SC & TN. This offer will expire on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.