2019 Argentiera Ventaglio

I had previously tasted this wine in a preview capacity and was very impressed at the time. The Argentiera 2019 Ventaglio continues to stand out as a benchmark expression of pure Cabernet Franc. The fruit comes from a spectacular fan-shaped vineyard perched on a magnificent 2.5-hectare parcel of rocky limestone clay, a singular site that defines the wine’s precision and energy. The wine mirrors the intensity and character of the grape in a radiant and focused manner, with the 2019 vintage bringing extra concentration and richness to the palate. Despite this depth, the expression remains sharply linear and varietally true, offering flavors of blackcurrant, crushed stone and pencil shavings, with an almost sweet quality to the tannins. Produced in just 3,000 bottles, Ventaglio remains one of Bolgheri’s most compelling single-vineyard Cabernet Franc wines. 97 points