2019 Tenuta Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore (750ml)

Merlot from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Bolgheri, with its Persian blue skies and undulating hillside vineyards, is home to Italy's – and many of the world's – finest vineyards. Within this historical Tuscan region – home to such illustrious names as Guado al Tasso, Ornellaia and Sassicaia – Tenuta Argentiera enjoys the closest proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea of all its neighbors, doubly outshining its brethren with the highest altitude parcels of pristine vines anywhere in the zone. During the age of the Etruscans, these plateaus were mined for their rich silver deposits, hence the name of this important estate – "Argenti" meaning silver in Italian.

The owners here, always mindful of respecting and maintaining their estate's natural elements and beauty, painstakingly cultivate their 1,200 acres to create a perfect balance between luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation and their 150 acres of DOC Bolgheri vineyards. Interspersed between parcels of old vine Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah – each designated to its precise topography and perfect subsoil within the estate – are rows and sections of maritime pines, olive groves and richly scented landscaping. Walking the vineyards, taking in the morning sun as the aromas of the estate fill your senses, you immediately understand the uniqueness – and importance – of the wines from this stunning piece of Tuscan heaven.

Argentiera began life as part of the larger Donoratico estate, owned by one of Italy's most prominent families, the Florentine Serristori family. Passing into the ownership of another of Bolgheri's most powerful, the Antinori family took over, restoring, beautifying and completing the top parcels until meeting the current owners in 1999. That's when this historical Tenuta truly took flight.

Enter Corrado and Marcello Fratini, the most passionate people to ever set foot on these 1,200 acres. No amount of investment too exorbitant, they brought to the winemaking team not only Federico Zileri (Bolgheri consortium president), but also one of Europe's most sought after oenologists, Stephane Derenoncourt (Clos Fourtet, Pavie-Macquin, Canon-la-Gaffelière, and dozens more). The rest, as they say, has been history – glorious history at that.

97WA

97JS

96WI

What a beauty and what an incredible leap forward to excellence. The Tenuta Argentiera 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Argentiera shows depth and wide shoulders with soft plushness and impeccable fruit. The full-bodied wine is dialed up on all levels from perfumes, intensity, mouthfeel, texture and freshness. This bottle should hold past the 20-year mark.

97 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Jul 2022)

This is so nicely crafted, with tannins that are fine and integrated, creating such a fine, silky texture. It’s medium-bodied with fantastic length and a long, persistent finish. So drinkable now, but will be even better in two or three years. Try after 2024.

97 points, James Suckling (Jul 2022)

This 2019 Tenuta Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore has plenty of depth of flavor and concentration, but the texture is still so silky, with a very long, savory style which lingers on the finish. Of course, the 2019 is still very young and needs time to come together but it starts off with a sweet-spice, new oak aromas nose with lots of cedar and smoke notes. What I like so much is the way it feels on the palate. There is a little more lightness of touch and less weight in the middle than some previous vintages, giving the wine more finesse while still showing plenty of depth and concentration. In 2019 the quality of the Merlot was particularly good, and they used more tonneaux instead of barriques to modify the oak impact. On the palate, smoky, smoldering flavors, counterpointed by just-ripe, crunchy bramble and blackcurrant-leaf, punctuate the lavish texture, and intertwine with the rich, creamy oak. The blend is Merlot 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 44%, and Cabernet Franc 6%.

96 points, Susan Hulme, Wine Independent (Sep 2022)

Alcohol By Volume: 14.5%

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$89.98

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