Tenuta Argentiera - Bolgheri Superiore - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 2018 ~ Bolgheri, Italy

97/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2017 vintage)
96/100 James Suckling (2017 vintage)
95/100 Decanter (2017 vintage)
93/100 Wine Spectator (2017 vintage)
90/100 Wine Enthusiast (2017 vintage)
99/100 James Suckling (2015 Vintage)
95/100 Wine Spectator (2015 Vintage)
97/100 Robert Parker (2015 Vintage)
95/100 Wine Enthusiast (2007 Vintage)
92/100 Wine Spectator (2003 Vintage)

Super Tuscan at a great value!

Robert Parker - "This is a dark and penetrating Tuscan red that is beautifully elevated, thanks to the extremely elegant and buoyant quality of the aromas. They lift gracefully from the glass with light-footed, almost fleeting character. However, don't underestimate the power and the concentration of the wine, because this vintage delivers both with abundance. I've had my eye on this estate since the vineyards were first planted some 20 years ago, and there is no doubt that this vintage brings Tenuta Argentiera into a new era as a Bolgheri protagonist. Some 80,000 bottles were made."

James Suckling - "Love the complexity to this with lots of rosemary and lavender that complement the currant and violet character. Full-bodied, yet extremely polished and tight on the palate. The tannins are ever so fine. Extremely long and beautiful. Another excellent wine, after the superb 2015."

Wine Enthusiast - "The full-bodied palate delivers blackberry jam, star anise and roasted coffee bean alongside velvety tannins."

Decanter - "...The estate is located at the southernmost border of the appellation. In 2016, possibly because of the high percentage of Merlot in the blend, the wine shows great complexity from straw notes and earthy tones in a sort of Right Bank style, with meaty cassis fruit and a slightly leaner body full of finesse. The tannins in this vintage are almost silky from this higher altitude part of the appellation, at 200 meters above sea level. (AG) "

Wine Spectator - "Rich, with black currant, plum, loamy earth, vanilla and toasty oak spice aromas and flavors, backed by a spine of dense tannins and vibrant acidity, lingering with ample fruit, herb and spice notes."

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet

The Argentiera estate is situated on the coast of Alta Maremma, about 100 km west of Florence in the DOC appellation of Bolgheri. The estate is part of the historic Tenuta di Donoratico dei Serristori, an influential Florentine family that in 1512 acquired this land from the Medici family.

Today the property is owned by Corrado and Marcello Fratini, well-known entrepreneurs from Florence, and by Marchese Piero Antinori. The estate is planted with specialized vines all of which have the appellation DOC Bolgheri. The vines have an average age of 4–5 years and are situated on a plateau at an elevation of 150 to 200 meters above sea level, the highest altitude level in Bolgheri.

Argentiera’s vineyards, located only 2 km from the Tyrrhenian Sea, benefit from breezes that provide consistent ventilation to the vines. The vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah; vines very much representative of the Bolgheri area.

Bolgheri is an outstanding wine region made famous by Marchese Mario Incisa Della Rocchetta, who planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines for his own consumption in the 1940s on his San Guido estate and called the resulting wine, Sassicaia.

Today the region’s Tuscan reds are based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which can be made as single varietal wines or blends. The local Sangiovese can make up no more than 50% of the blends.