Solengo
2020
Argiano is a beautiful estate in the southern western portion of the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. The estate has a long history of excellence in the region and is reaching new heights under new ownership. The 120 ha property follows the traditional Tuscan model of mixed land use featuring vineyards, olive groves and woodlands. A majestic Renaissance villa is also housed on the property making this one of the loveliest visits in the region. Argiano produces brilliant examples of Brunello and...
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This unique red wine is a rather newly expression of Argiano's winegrowing potential compared to its Sangiovese-based reds. ‘Solengo’, a Tuscan word meaning 'lone wild boar', marries Tuscan soil with French grapes: Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Solengo is produced from vineyards which are 12 to 18 years old. It is the result of a team effort between Adriano Bambagioni, Argiano’s long’serving cellar-master and Hans Vinding-Diers, a master winemaker and blender with worldwide experience. While keen to retain Solengo’s unique style the new team is also endowing Solengo with even greater levels of finesse, balance and depth. Hans made and blended his first vintage in 2004, while Solengo is a ‘creation’ of former renowned winemaker Dr Giacomo Tachis.
This is a balanced and harmonious Solengo with a nose of spice and berries. It is velvety on the palate with great structure and a long finish.
The nose is dark yet polished, like a new leather jacket, with aromas of blackberry, black olive, wet stone, dirt and playful violets. The palate mixes a more pronounced, sweeter streak of berries with an enduring metallic earthiness, before a chili chocolate finish. Powerful tannins and acid ensure ageworthiness.
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Profound nose here with chili chocolate and sandalwood beneath the sweet blackberry background. A hint of violets, too. An opulent and densely packed palate with full body and concentrated blackberries. Very tight tannins rendered in a fine-grained and almost seamless way, with a lingering finish.
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Rich and balsamic in the glass, the 2020 Solengo smolders up with an array of mocha-tinged black cherries and tobacco lifted by hints of grilled sage and fresh mint. It shows the warmth but also elegance of the vintage, coming across as seamlessly silky on the palate. A balanced inner sweetness and vibrant core of acidity create a wildly energetic impression. This boasts a concentration of blackberry, steeped plums and hints of cocoa that drenches the senses, as a staining of fine tannins slowly takes hold through the dramatically long finale. There’s so much purity and upfront appeal, plus a balanced structure to carry it for well over a decade in the cellar. The 2020 is the total package. Lose these in the cellar for five to eight years, and then reap the rewards. Solengo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Sangiovese.
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A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot, 20% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese, the hot-vintage 2020 Solengo (in a heavy glass bottle) is very rich and dense with firm textural support and a full-bodied style. The wine is bold and beautiful and so is the quality of the fruit; however, there is a lot of oak spice and toast to take in. That oak is good reason to put this bottle aside in your cellar for three or four more years.
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