ARGIANO
TUSCANY, ITALY 2020
Why Buy: 2020 is a vintage of Brunello you want to buy — so says Decanter, James Suckling, and Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, and so says us: we love the approachability and freshness of these wines. And this 2020 from Argiano — maker of Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in 2023 — is an excellent Exhibit A of why they're on such a roll. The estate has undergone a renaissance since winemaker Bernardino Sani took over in 2012. The estate's southwest Montalcino location — a plateau 240-280 meters above sea level with six distinct vineyard parcels on clay limestone soils, similar to the composition you’ll find in Bordeaux — provides the perfect foundation for wines that express both intensity and finesse, while ownership’s massive investments in the cellar have significantly sharpened the quality of expression. If you haven't hopped aboard the Argiano train, now is definitely the time.
What They're Saying: Monica Larner of The Wine Advocate lauded the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino, "a robust" and "nicely balanced Brunello,” she wrote, with "very fine-grained" tannins and a "bright cherry fruit intensity despite the many years of cellar aging required by the appellation.” The Solengo 2022 has yet to be rated, but Wine Spectator awarded the 2021 vintage 95 points, and this one, we feel certain, is poised to equal or better that.
Our Tasting Notes: The 2020 Brunello speaks to the magic that happens when old meets new — crafted from vines ranging from 12 to 55 years old, it delivers remarkable complexity with very fine-grained tannins that provide structure without the least hint of astringency. The acidity is perfectly calibrated — just present enough to provide lift and freshness, but not enough to overpower the palate. Meanwhile, the 2022 Solengo continues the estate's storied tradition of exceptional Super Tuscans. This blend shows its pedigree from first pour to final sip, combining depth and approachability with that distinctive Montalcino character, particularly in its dusty tannins and vivid freshness. Both wines showcase the inimitable qualities of Argiano's terroir, where limestone soils reminiscent of Bordeaux meet Tuscany's perfect climate.
The Story: Talk about legacy. Nearly two centuries before the U.S. existed, Argiano made its debut: in 1580, the Pecci family planted their proverbial flag on a verdant patch of southwest Montalcino and built the Villa Bell'Aria (the "Good Air Villa"). At 300 meters above sea level, and with access to the cooling air flow of the nearby Tyrrhennian Sea, this is ideal land for grape-growing, even more so when you consider that the soils are abundant with calcareous limestone and clay, the very composition that gives the wines of Bordeaux such definition and elegance. When Bernardino Sani took over in 2012, he worked with his agronomist, Francesco Monari, to put greater emphasis on terroir in the winemaking, even going so far as to take a science-based approach (Sani studied oenology and viticulture in Italy and France) to mapping the vineyards. Among the changes in the cellar: only Slavonian oak is used, the better to preserve the natural character of the wine. The result has been a decided turn toward classicism, and a stunning high point in the life of an old and venerated estate.
Fun Fact: The Argiano legend is rich with lore. "Mi tersi con il vin d'Argiano, il quale è buono tanto," Giosuè Carducci, the poet and Nobel laureate, once quipped — "I bathed myself with the wine of Argiano, which is so delicious."
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your order 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, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer will expire on Monday, March 3rd, 2025.