ARGIANO Brunello di Montalcino

Founded in 1581 when the vast and imposing villa was built, the estate changed hands amongst various noble Siennese families until eventually bought in the late 19th Century by Lady Ersilia Caetani Lovatelli, who introduced the wines into the cultural circles which she inhabited, raising both profile and quality and establishing the estate as amongst the most respected of the region. In 1992 it passed into the hands of Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano, whose family’s eponymous vermouth business had been purchased by Britain’s IDV group. She brought in the famous oenologist Giacomo Tachis, set about replanting and improving the vineyard, and modernised the winemaking facilities. In 2013 she in turn sold the estate to a Brazilian consortium, which has thus far concentrated on continuing improvements to the vineyard, increasing the plantings of Sangiovese and commencing conversion to an organic regime. The Brunello vineyards lie on a plateau at 300m above sea level which is cooled by the Maremma winds and protected from extremes of weather by Mt Amiata, Tuscany’s highest peak. Rainfall is consequently low, and the ripening of the grapes long and drawn out, which brings great potential nuance and complexity to the wines. Argiano was one of the founder members of the Brunello Consortium in the 1930s, and the Brunello lies at the heart of the production.

Ageing takes place over a year in French oak, then a further year in Slovenian barrels. Ruby red in colour, its aromas are primarily of red rather than black fruits. It is rounded and voluptuous, with good concentration on the mid-palate, fine, silky tannins and a persistent aftertaste. The Rosso is made from various plots around the estate, including younger vines. Deep ruby red in colour, it is medium bodied. Elegant in the mouth, it is well balanced with notes of red berries, violets, menthol and tobacco-tinged earthiness, with smooth, velvety tannins and a persistent finish. The Non-Confunditor is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese. Darker and fuller-bodied than the pure Sangiovese wines, with the innate gentleness of Merlot creating a bridge between the characterisitic earthiness of Sangiovese, the aromatic blackcurrant flavour of Cabernet and the warm red berries of Syrah. It is a generous, rounded red wine, destined for short to medium ageing, with delicious aromas of currants and generous fruit flavours.

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