Tenuta Argentiera: Beautiful Outside and In

If the quality of a wine can be judged by the beauty of the vineyards, then this might be the finest wine on earth. If you judge a wine by what's in the bottle, then I am still very confident of a glowing review. The name of the estate derives from the many silver mines in the area going back to Etruscan times (c.800BC).

Tenuta Argentiera lies on the coast of Tuscany in the very heart of Bolgheri with a spectacular view of the Tyrrhenian Sea. ('Tyrrhenian' is derived from the Greek word for Etruscan. There is your learnin' for the day.)

Tenuta Argentiera 'Argentiera' 2006
$ 79.95 per bottle in cases of 6

This is the flagship wine and the top offering from this wonderful estate.

The winemaker, Federico Zileri is hunting for the elegance of Sassicaia and the structure of Ornellaia. Stéphane Derenoncourt is an internationally-renowned French vigneron and a consultant at the tenuta.

Intense ruby red colour. The aromas are of saffron and paprika, blackberries and blackcurrant with toasted wood and tobacco. On the palate it is round, rich and silky. There is a lingering finish with fresh fruits and mineral notes showing considerable persistence.

The blend:
50% Cabernet Sauvignon - 40% Merlot - 10% Cabernet Franc.

2006 vintage was characterized by very few rainfalls during the summer months. This developed very small berries and a low yield. August was a cool month. September and October were very sunny months. This allowed the grapes a perfect ripening with excellent quality.

The different grape varieties were vinified separately; fermentation and maceration took place in stainless steel tanks for about 25-30 days at a controlled temperature never over 28/30° C.

The wine was transferred into mainly new 225 l French oak barriques (Allier and Troncais) where malolactic fermentation was completed and it was aged for a further 14 months. After blending the wine underwent a further 12 months of bottle aging before release. That means it was ready about 10 months ago, but we just order it 3 month ago. Now it is here!

James Suckling, Wine Spectator. 91 points.
Shows plum, sweet herb and hints of vanilla on the nose, turning to flowers and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with fine tannins, fresh acidity and a fruity finish. A subtle wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best after 2012.

What else?

From the same estate we have the more, everyday and young drinking wine options. (It's relative.)

Poggio ai Ginepri 2007 $ 27.95 per bottle in cases of 6
(Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot)

Villa Donoratico 2005 $ 34.95 per bottle in cases of 6
(Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc)

Being there.
If you are interested in visiting this and other famous estates in Tuscany then there will be some opportunities this year. The first of these is being organized by our good friends at Alioli Ristorante. Their Wine Tour of Italy is in September, with visits to Il Borro, Castiglion del Bosco and Tenuta Argentiera all scheduled. It looks like an amazing trip.

Click to open the reservation form:

Alioli Restaurant is located at:

350 Burnamthorpe Road West
Mississauga, ON L5B 3J1
Phone: 905.281.1122
Fax: 905.281.1997

For more information (dress code, parking, map, etc.) or to make reservations at Alioli Restaurant:
http://www.opentable.com/restaurant_profile.asp?ID=5946&restref=5946

What is happening at Vintages?

Wild Rock Gravel Pit Red 2007 from Hawkes Bay (163600) should be released by the time this goes out at $16.95 per bottle. Well worth a look if you are in a New Zealand frame of mind.

Italian Heroes

4 Reds
4 Prices
4 Italian Heroes
All in small quantities.

Tenuta Argentiera 2005 Argentiera
is $87.50 per bottle in cases of 6 (5 available)



I have been blown away by the quality, elegance and focus of this wonderful Bordeaux blend.
Tenuta Argentiera is our property in Bolgheri owned by Florentine entrepreneurs Corrado and Marcello Fratini along with Piero Antinori.
The aim is to make wines that combine the depth and finesse of the greatest wines of Bolgheri. They are off to a good start. This is their top estate wine with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

“92 points: Berry, tobacco and light coffee aromas follow through to a full body, with spice, chocolate and berry flavors. Chewy, yet polished and long. This has a solid core of fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best after 2011” - James Suckling at the Wine Spectator

Il Poggione 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (Vigna Paganelli)
is $94.50 per bottle in cases of 6

Antonio Galloni at the Wine Advocate (I am being very lazy this week),

“93+ points:
The 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is made from old vines in the estate’s Paganelli vineyard in Sant’Angelo in Colle. It is surprisingly fresh in its expression of red cherries, tobacco, leather, earthiness and spices. … This is high-class Sangiovese. In the torrid 2003, winemaker Fabrizio Bindocci gave the Riserva 12 days of fermentation/maceration on the skins, and aged the wine in large French oak casks. … I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 2003 Riserva merit a higher score in a few years. …. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2028.

I was completely blown away by the wines I tasted from Il Poggione this year. …. Winemaker Fabrizio Bindocci and his team have done an exceptional job for which they deserve all the praise in the world.”

(Forgive the gaps. It was too long, but all positive.)

Colpetrone Montefalco Rosso 2006
is $30.95 per bottle in cases of 6



Còlpetrone is one of the most important wine producers in the Montefalco D.O.C.G. This is a rare blend of the native Sagrantino grape with Sangiovese and Merlot to offer softness and elegance.
Sangiovese 70%, Sagrantino 15%, Merlot 15%.
This is a dense and rich wine with the ability to mature over five or more years. Now it has full bodied fruit with good balancing tannins. It is perfect for red meat. This is a consistent 2 Bicchieri winner with the Gambero Rosso.

Zerbina Ceregio 2007
is in cases of 12 and costs $19.99 per bottle



I know I talk about this all the time, but I had it again last night. For anyone who has ever loved Chianti, this 100% Sangiovese offers some of the best value in our portfolio.
Cristina Geminiani is a genius and my wife is OK with the fact that I love her.