2021 Argiano Brunello: ‘A gorgeous example of southwestern Montalcino terroir’

In search of Sangiovese purity

'A remarkable evolution has taken place at Argiano... Their focus on the vineyards, soils and vines has paved the way for a very bright future.' — Eric Guido, vinous.com

Winemaker Bernardino Sani arrived at Argiano in 2012. He doesn’t mind admitting that he found the wine a little heavy, and he made it his mission to improve it. 'Change begins in the vineyard,' he says, so he brought in a terroir specialist to study and zone the estate. There are great soils at Argiano, a mix of clay and limestone. 'The clay builds structure in our wine, the limestone brings finesse.'

The terroir study brought out how different parcels were ripening at slightly different speeds, so Bernardino adopted a plot-by-plot approach to vinification. He switched the vineyard to organic viticulture. He adapted his canopy management techniques to cope with increasingly warm vintages. Change also carried over into the cellar. He totally overhauled the barrel cellar, replacing barriques with Montalcino’s traditional larger-format barrels, which stamp a more subtle wood character on the wine.

All these changes have not gone unnoticed, and Argiano has been gathering plaudits all around. Writing on vinous.com, Eric Guido lists Argiano among the greatest wines of Montalcino. He calls the 2021 a 'gorgeous example of southwestern Montalcino terroir'. Bernardino himself notes that the vintage gave Argiano exceptionally good fruit to work with. Frost lowered yields, but that reduced crop acquired great intensity. Summer was hot, but never too hot, and it rained just when rain was needed. Uncorked was impressed with the perfume, depth and energy in the wine. Bernardino calls it 'a wine for ageing'. /NT

Offered subject to remaining unsold. Wines available autumn 2026. To place an order, click on the wines below or call 020 7638 5998