1996 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino

Argiano is a historic 250-acre estate with 120 acres of vineyards located near Montalcino, in Tuscany. Since 1992 it has been run by Noemi Marone Cinzano, whose family has owned the estate for generations. Argiano is best known for its Brunello di Montalcino, though it makes numerous other wines, including Solengo, a Super Tuscan made of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Syrah. Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading wine journal, has praised the “beautiful historic estate” that “over the past few years has shown signs of great stylistic and qualitative renewal.” The journal has given the estate several ratings of 3 bicchieri, the journal’s highest rating.

Brunello di Montalcino is regarded as one of Italy’s best appellations. Located in south central Tuscany below Chianti, the wines of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG are made of a Sangiovese clone called “brunello,” which means “little dark one,” a reference to the brown tones in the skin of the grape. Unlike some Tuscan appellations that allow other grapes to be blended with Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino is entirely Sangiovese. Montalcino itself is a picturesque, hill-top town not especially well known for wine production until the mid-19th century, when a local vineyard owner isolated the brunello clone and planted it. Other growers followed suit. Nevertheless it wasn’t until 1970s that wine enthusiasts started paying attention to Brunello di Montalcino, which by then was becoming an outstanding wine. Today there are 120 estates in the DOCG, up from about 25 estates in 1975. Brunellos in general are bigger, darker, more tannic and more powerful wines than Chiantis or most other Sangioveses. By law they must be aged for four years, and two of those years must be in wooden barrels.