Argiano : Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012 Argiano

Tasting

Color

A deep ruby-red hue with violet highlights defines this wine.

Nose

The nose reveals delicious fruity notes of cherry and red berries, accompanied by woody, balsamic, and spicy nuances. Aromas of damp earth, tobacco, and toasted herbs also emerge, along with touches of dried flowers and plums.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is fleshy and full-bodied, unveiling notes of black pepper, clove, and espresso that underscore a core of dried black cherry. Firm, tightly knit tannins integrate harmoniously into a balanced structure that combines power and grace. The finish, marked by lively acidity, lingers at length with impressive persistence.

Food and wine pairings

This Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012 is an ideal match for roasted red meats, braised game such as wild boar or guinea fowl, as well as herb-seasoned veal and pork dishes. It also pairs perfectly with pasta served with a rich meat sauce, notably wild boar ragù, and with distinctive aged cheeses such as mature pecorino.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to decant this wine a few hours before serving and to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. It can be enjoyed until around 2032.

A powerful, elegant Brunello di Montalcino Riserva from the Italian estate Argiano

The estate

Founded in 1580 by the Pecci family of Siena in Tuscany, Argiano now spans 125 hectares, including 58 hectares of vineyards in the southwest of Montalcino. A founding member of the Consortium du Brunello in 1967, the estate has enjoyed a spectacular renaissance since its acquisition in 2013 by Brazilian entrepreneur André Esteves. Under the leadership of CEO and winemaker Bernardino Sani, assisted by agronomist Francesco Monari, Argiano has moved away from new barrels in favor of large foudres, adopted certified organic viticulture, and mapped six distinct micro-terroirs with consultant Pedro Parra. This philosophical revolution, favoring elegance and the expression of its limestone terroir, earned the Brunello 2018 the title of Wine of the Year 2023 from Wine Spectator, cementing Argiano’s return to the top of this Tuscan appellation.

The vineyard

This cuvée comes from vines aged 10 to 50 years, planted between 250 and 280 meters above sea level in the southwest of Montalcino. The plots benefit from a terroir of clay, pebbles, and limestone, with a high proportion of marly limestone that lends freshness and minerality to this vin de Toscane. The altitude and proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea, just fifty kilometers away, bring refreshing breezes that temper temperatures and preserve the sangiovese’s natural acidity. The estate practices certified organic viticulture, respectful of the environment and the expression of terroir.

The vintage

The 2012 vintage in Brunello di Montalcino was marked by exceptional heat and intense drought. Summer saw a complete absence of rainfall from July to mid-September, with three days of sirocco winds in August that significantly raised daytime and nighttime temperatures. These extreme conditions concentrated the grapes and gave structure to the wines, creating powerful, full-bodied Brunello. Despite these climatic challenges, timely rains at the end of August allowed the vines to regain balance, encouraging optimal berry ripeness. The Consortium du Brunello awarded this vintage the maximum rating of five stars, recognizing the outstanding quality of the wines produced by estates that succeeded in mastering these difficult conditions.

Winemaking and aging

After hand-harvesting, the grapes were gently destemmed and pressed before being vinified in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation took place in concrete tanks. The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012 was then aged for around thirty months in Slavonian oak foudres of varying capacities, ranging from ten to fifty hectoliters. Choosing large vessels rather than new barrels helps preserve the expression of fruit and terroir while adding structure and complexity. After barrel aging, the wine was bottled unfiltered during favorable lunar phases, then matured for an additional twelve months in bottle before release.

Grape variety

100% sangiovese.