- 98 points -

The nose is faceted, with hints of wild plum, pepper leaf and star anise. Tension and sapidity to the palate, with fruity-officinal return.

- 98 points -

Cellar Selection

Made with vines that average 55 years old, this fragrant, single-vineyard Brunello boasts aromas of violet, menthol, wild berry and spice. Loaded with class and finesse, the delicious, full-bodied palate features Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, blood orange, licorice and a hint of coffee alongside polished, velvety tannins. A salty mineral note lingers on the finish.

- 98 points -

Plenty of dark-fruit notes of black cherries, brambles and dried herbs, followed by dried-meat and sweet-tobacco undertones. Medium-bodied with crunchy, fine-grained tannins and vigorous acidity. Very precise and dense, yet beautifully balanced and piquant. Great aging potential.

- 97 points -

A reincarnation of Argiano’s IGT Suolo as a single-vineyard Brunello, without the heavy new-wood use, this is a sleek and exquisite wine. Lifted orange peel defines the nose, which also offers wild strawberries, nutmeg, lightly roasted coffee, glazed cherries and dried herbs. Finely tuned and only medium-to full-bodied on the palate, the tannins taking on a graceful, medium-chewy persona. Suave and delicate, yet long and powerful on the finish.

- 97 points -

Dried cherries, oyster mushrooms, black olives and citrus oil. It’s full-bodied with sleek, ultra fine tannins and a lifted finish. Layers of sour-cherry, bark and umami notes. Burgundian sensibility with purity and intensity. Wait a few years for this to open up. Drink after 2023

- 97 points -

Hauntingly dark, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo wafts up with a dusting of cocoa, violet pastille and sweet sage complementing red currants. It’s like pure velvet slowly draped across the palate, weighty and youthfully dense with masses of mineral-laden dark red fruits that swirl over a steadily building wall of fine tannins. The 2019 finishes with tremendous length and structure, displaying fantastic balance. A bump of residual acidity refreshes the senses, and balsam herbs slowly fade. This is a Vigna del Suolo that’s built for the ages.

- 96 points -

The 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna Del Suolo pours a medium youthful red hue and takes a nervous and wonderful energy on opening. Perfumed and mineral-tinged, it reveals notes of gravelly earth, rosewater, raspberry liqueur, and lifted fresh herbs. Medium-bodied, with a linear feel, it’s vibrant with fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a long mineral and citrus-noted finish. It strikes a great balance between elegance and nobility and is a wine that will benefit from another year or two in bottle and drink well 2025-2045.

- 96 points -

The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo from Argiano lifts up with a minty freshness which gives way to peppery herbs and florals. Medicinal cherry, hints of clove and licorice come forward over time. It is dense and textural, leaning toward black fruits, with a complex web of salty minerals and tannins that penetrate the senses. The 2016 Vigna del Suolo shows remarkable length, yet is currently folded in upon itself, creating what feels like a black hole of structure through the finale, which nearly masks an array of residual spices and perfumes. That said, it’s a long-distance runner that is packed full of potential.

- 96 points -

A very fine and polished Brunello with fine, creamy tannins that are polished and very curated. Cherry and bark character. Medium to full body with ripe tannins. Juicy. Orange peel. Try this after 2025, but already delicious.

- 95 points -

Winemaker Bernardino Sani describes Vigna del Suolo simply as the best fruit of the estate. It hails from the oldest plantings on a limestone-rich soil reaching an elevation of 320 metres. While it demonstrates greater density than the estate bottling, do not expect a brawny beast - this is exquisitely refined and midweight, though not insubstantial. Gorgeous scents of raspberry, rooibos tea and rhubarb greet the nose. The palate is pure-fruited and invigorating, with crunchy acidity. Grainy tannins grip confidently, and it closes with a long, energetic and mouthwatering finish. Very appealing now but should charm for the next dozen years.

- 95 points -

The nose is intense, showing a stunning mix of spicy cherries in a cloud of licorice, dusty florals, cedar, minerals, and savory herbs. On the palate, velvety textures give way to pure red berry fruits. You’d expect power here, but instead it offers elegance, purity, and an energizing mix of zesty acids, salty minerals, and spice. The 2015 Vigna del Suolo shows its structure through its long, dramatic finish, resonating on depths of spicy red fruits and minerals, with saturating fine tannins lingering long beneath a dark floral topnote. This is one of the few 2015s that I would lose in the cellar for at least five years and then enjoy over the next fifteen.

- 95 points -

Aromas of wild rosemary and pine lead off in this racy red, which is permeated by flavors of cherry, raspberry and mineral. Vibrant and balanced, with the resonant tannins leaving a chalky feel on the finish. Shows fine intensity and length. Best from 2024 through 2047. 

- 95 points -

Argiano's oldest site, Vigna del Suolo boasts 65-year-old vines of very rare Sangiovese clones. Recent soil mapping with Chilean specialist Pedro Parra has also revealed significant limestone underpinnings in the vineyard. The 2016 sports a smoky, earthy, dusty nose punctuated by dried fennel. Ripe, chalky tannins are currently front and centre, needing time to cede, while sun-soaked berries underneath speak unabashedly of its southern origins. There is much lurking in this textured, packed Brunello, including orange, mint and a twist of salty sea air.

95+ Points

Darkly alluring and understated in the glass, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo wafts up to show musky black currants offset by hints of sage and clove. This is graceful and finessed, yet enveloping, with bright acidity enlivening its red plum and ripe strawberry fruits, as hints of balsamic spice resonate throughout. The 2018 finishes with a grippy tension, as fine tannins penetrate deeply, leaving hints of dried cherries and lavender that slowly fade. The Vigna del Suolo will require patience to fully soften and unlock its aromatics. That said, it will be worth the wait. This is a beauty.