Tenuta di Argiano - Brunello di Montalcino 2018

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Like a good Valentine's Day party, everything is shades of red on the vibrant, sanguine nose, from strawberries and cranberries to savory notes of pennies, brick and crisp leather. Citrus joins the cranberries on a bright, acidic palate, but a meaty, bitter finish creates balance. Dynamic fruit stands up to authoritative, unapologetic tannins."

WEINWISSER: "Sehr komplex und würzig, hat deutlich mehr Wumms in der Nase, saftig-griffiger Gaumen mit roten Johannisbeeren, Kirschen und Granatapfelnoten, rauchig, deutlicher Tanningriff, rote Johannisbeere, Granatapfel, griffiges Tannin im Finale."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Rose, strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors are the main themes in this red, along with wild herb, mineral and cut hay accents. Racy and full of energy, with a long, saturated finish. Best from 2025 through 2042."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A bright and fresh 2018 with cherry and floral aromas and flavors. Medium body, refined tannins and a linear finish with bright acidity. Tangy and energetic. Tight at the end. A year or two will open it, but already a beauty."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Pure and noble, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino is compelling in its expressive layers yet remains transparent, with aromas of fresh leather, red cherry, cedar, anise, and fresh pine all intertwining. It is medium-bodied but fills out with wonderful purity in its notes of blood orange, raspberry, saline minerals, and mouthwatering acidity. It is a gorgeous wine to hold another couple of years and drink 2025-2040."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "With the black label, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino reveals dried fruit aromas with cola, grilled herb, candied orange peel and earthy clay. This is a mid-weight Brunello with silky tannins an+d a long finish. It displays a savory and spicy personality with hints of dried fruit and baked plum that add a fleeting point of sweetness. This is an approachable Brunello to drink over the next 10 years."

DECANTER: "Argiano is back on track with this excellent value 2018 Brunello. Packed with flavour, it shows the vintage well: while colour is scarce - pale garnet in hue - aromas are vivacious and enticing with spiced cherry and Mediterranean flowers bursting from the glass. Midweight and fluid, it belies the vineyards’ warm southern location. Tannins are fine and layered, with a chalky texture. While the estate did come out with its Vigna del Suolo selection, there will not be a Riserva bottling of 2018. 115,000 bottles produced."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, tiefer Kern, dezente Randaufhellung. Dunkle Beeren, etwas Edelholz, reife Pflaumen, Nugat, ein Hauch von Gewürznelken. Saftig, reife Herzkirschen, etwas trockene Tannine, schokoladig und entwickelt im Abgang, dennoch im Finish eine Spur spröde, benötigt noch Zeit, wird sicher noch zulegen. (2025–2040)"