Winemaker Notes
When you say Bolgheri it's like saying charm. Who has the practice of this tiny piece of the Maremma and met some wines, and recalls the land, cuts of light, the sea, the profiles, the mood, here are the thoughts that magically start to run fast and the race will evoke, dream, thrill and subtle fascination. Argentiera, our Bolgheri Superiore, is a wine with a rich and silky taste whose grapes come from the most dedicated vineyards of Tenuta Argentiera. The long fining in French oak barrique, the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and the unique terroir of Tenuta Argenitera, make this wine one of the highest expressions of the Bolgheri area.
Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Argentiera is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, and the Cabernet Sauvignon logically feels and tastes most prominent. 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.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
In 2016, Bolgheri suffered a drought until the end of August, when the season saw some rain that allowed for recovery from the stress. Overall, what strikes me about the 2016 vintage is its clarity and focus. A reflective and deep red color, the 2016 Argentiera opens in the glass to very well-detailed aromas of cassis, tobacco, graphite, and toasted rosemary. The palate is full-bodied but refined, with a supple and inviting texture, well-balanced structure, a refreshing spine of acidity, lots of purity, and a fantastically long, haunting finish. It’s going to age slowly over the coming two decades.
-
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. Drink in 2021.
-
Decanter
Finally Argentiera returns to excellence, following several years of wines falling below expectations due to various changes. 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 metres above sea level.
-
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. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2030.
-
Wine Enthusiast
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this offers aromas of ripe dark berry, bell pepper and cedar. The full-bodied palate delivers blackberry jam, star anise and roasted coffee bean alongside velvety tannins. Drink through 2023.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
An outstanding wine region made famous by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, who planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines for his own consumption in 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. Today Sassicaia has its own DOC designation within the Bogheri DOC appellation.