2019 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
Taking a dark ruby hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers a warming bouquet of black raspberry, licorice candies, polished leather, and sappy forest herbs. Rounded and approachable, it’s medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannins and balanced acidity, ripe concentration throughout, and a long finish with a note of bergamot. This is a beautifully styled wine from the Argiano team, who continue to impress. Drink 2025-2040. I continue to be impressed with the direction that Bernardino Sani and his team at Argiano are headed in, both in the vineyard and in the winery. As I noted in last year’s report, stylistically, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the estate has moved away from the use of barrique in the production of their Sangiovese (now only used for their Cabernet Sauvignon of Solengo). The wines are certainly beginning to take on a fresher style, while they are still maintaining clean winery practices.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The Argiano 2019 Brunello di Montalcino comes out stronger than the previous 2018 and 2017 vintages, thanks to the precision and focus of its fruit flavors in this balanced vintage. It shows ample depth and volume, with sweet cherry and blackberry that fold into softly toasted spice and earth. Floral hints of lilac and iris make brief but poignant appearances. Velvety tannins and a nicely concentrated mid-weight palate give good staying power. This is a 120,000-bottle release.
Crushed ashen stones, cloves, dried black cherries, rosemary and balsam herbs create a spice box display as the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass. This is surprisingly fresh and energetic, nearly juicy in character, yet refined and focused, with silken textures ushering in crisp wild berry fruits and orange tones that slowly saturate the palate. It finishes spicy and long, yet its energy never wavers, with grippy tannins that tug at the cheeks as licorice and cranberry notes fade.
Lustrous deep ruby with orange tinges. Firm, concentrated fruit nose with spice hints. Bags of tangy fruit and ripe, grainy tannins striking a very good balance. Long, chewy, deep fruit. This will develop nicely over the next few years. (WS)