Tucked in Tuscany’s southern coastline is Tenuta Argentiera in Bolgheri. During a virtual learning and tasting experience of four of their wines (sent as samples) with winemaker Nicolò Carrara, wine journalists were reminded yet again that our favorite beverage can be a magnificent reflection of the region in which the grapes are cultivated. We swirled and sipped five wines from four unique vineyards to understand just that. Five wines with four identities? They are found at Argentiera.
Photo Credit: Argentiera
This highly acclaimed winery of 1236 acres (500 hectares) is located on a plateau only 1.5 miles from the Tyrrhenian Sea and at an altitude of 656 feet. The altitude helps to ensure an optimal microclimate whereby sea breezes deter pests and mildew diseases on the vines. Surrounded by forests, Carrara remarked that “we’re between the sea and nature. Forests protect the area and streams assist with drainage. There is a diversity of farming at Argentiera.” Soils, too, range from sand in the lower areas to limestone, clay, and rocks at high altitudes. “We have a strong connection to the location,” he added. “Wines are fresh and balanced with minerality and salinity. This is a special place to grow vines. It’s a special place for me.”
Photo Credit: Argentiera
Argentiera produces high quality wines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Vermentino and others with the Bolgheri DOC and Toscana IGT classifications. From vineyard to bottle, everything is done by hand with minimal intervention. The goal is to produce wines that are elegant, balanced, drinkable and of course, memorable. To put our palates to the test, we began exploring five wines.
Our first wine was 2022 Villa Donoratico Bolgheri DOC. The vineyard name pays homage to the Serristori family who owned Donoratico in 1512 and built a villa on the property. A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot aged in 3000 litre casks, I found an incredibly fresh wine on both the nose and palate. Aromas of spice, bright red fruit, currants, plums and even dried rose petals were lovely. The round palate boasted notes of flint, more red fruit, medium body, moderate acidity and soft tannins. Such a lovely, food friendly wine, this was a joy to sip.
2022 Poggio ai Ginepri Toscana IGT was the first wine produced in Argentiera in 2002. From sandy areas within the parcels, 200,000 bottles are produced per year. The blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot was lush and balanced.The wine spent 8-9 months in wood then concrete and stainless tanks to maintain freshness. Wafting from the glass were notes of dark red berries, juicy plums, spice, and dried florals. The palate suggested flavors of pomegranate, blueberries, cranberries and spice leading to a mouthwatering finish.
Cultivated in vineyards on the higher part of the property is 2022 Argentiera Bolgheri DOC Superiore, a brilliant blend of 46% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc. Soils are marl and shale with sandstone and siliceous rocks. Carrera shared that the “Merlot gives the wine energy. It has beautiful tannins and texture.” And he’s correct. I noted bright aromas or red berries and a hint of baking spice. Light and fresh on the palate with medium body and a round mouthfeel, white pepper and plenty of black fruit helped create an easy drinking wine with a variety of foods from pizza and pasta to steak and lamb. 2022 Argentiera was aged for 14-16 months in 225-litre French oak barrels then for 12 months in the bottle before release.
From a warm vintage, 2021 Argentiera Bolgheri DOC Superiore offers a rich and concentrated blend of 48% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. First produced in 2003, this is “the project that gave life to everything. We wanted to create a wine with the ambition of representing Bolgheri excellence in the world. It’s a contemporary symbol of Italian oenology.” Grown in vineyards at 500-650 feet above sea level on marl and shale with sandstone and rocks, the wine was aged for 14-16 months in 225-litre French oak barrels and bottle aged for another 12 months. Absolutely vibrant from beginning to end, aromas of rich red fruit, plums, and bright spice were mesmerizing. Balanced with moderate tannins and acidity, this structured, layered wine offered a palate rife with notes of lush red berries, cranberries, savory mushrooms and crushed blueberries. The finish lingered with unparalleled elegance. What a show stopper!
In true Italian form, our last wine was a palate refresher in the form of 2023 Scenario Bolgheri DOC Bianco of 100% Vermentino. From small vineyards located near the forests around the seaside villa area on top of a hill of 260 feet above sea level, only 8000 bottles per year are produced. Carrara feels that this is a “fine, rich version of Vermentino that can age another 10 years” and I must agree. Fresh with aromas and flavors of green grass, florals, herbs, stone fruit, and snappy acidity, this wine is a go-to with seafood and light pasta dishes or as an aperitif any day of the week. 15% of the Vermentino was aged in oak; the rest was aged in concrete. Perfection.
“Every year our wines are better and better,” stated Nicolò Carrera. With such a favorable environment, Argentiera’s strong connection to the location, and minimal intervention this makes sense. All wines are available in the United States. Now it’s your turn to taste. Enjoy!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
Photo Credit: Argentiera
