- 97 points -

Exuberant nose showing aromas of strawberry, black cherry, hazelnut and notes of orange peel and tobacco. Perfect ripeness on the palate with fine grained tannins and a long lasting finish.

- 97 points -

What's often forgotten in the general hubbub which surrounds Brunello di Montalcino is that this DOCG circumscribes the area of Tuscany where Sangiovese ripens more amply and more beguilingly than anywhere else - though of course this is a grape variety whose resource is such that differences of ripening spectrum based on site do nothing but add to its nuance and appeal. If you want to get a fix on the sheer, disarming loveliness of that ample ripeness, try this wine: glowing, almost exotic fruits, with a little incense spice creeping into the mix, then glowing, soft-textured flavours which brim with summer's end and autumn's plenty: ripe plums and berries, autumn leaves, some wild mushroom fragrance and the dark spices which hint at Christmas to come.

- 97 points -

A very polished red with cloves and caramel, on top of black cherries, mushrooms and forest floor. Black olives, too. It's full-bodied with polished tannins and lovely depth all the way through. Lightly chewy. Juicy black-cherries and savory black-olive character. Complex. Drink after 2025.

- 96 points -

Editor's Choice

This fragrant red opens with heady scents of blue flower, star anise, camphor and new leather. Still young and primary, it delivers juicy red cherry, spiced cranberry, licorice and tobacco supported by a backbone of refined tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it energized and balanced...

- 95 points -

Very floral on the nose with plums, rose petals and freshly sliced porcini mushrooms. The palate is tight and compressed with beautiful ripe fruit, wet earth and cool, stone flavors. A structured and impressive wine.

- 95 points -

We will be talking about the 2015 and the 2016 Brunello vintages for decades, and the wines will only improve as we do, so jump in if you want some real gems for the cellar. To simplify the comparison, there is more fruit in 2015 and more structure and tannin in 2016; both are great years. Argiano opens with fragrant violet overtones with cedar, leather, anise, and wild fruit. A riot of flavour continues on the palate. Fresh, and more importantly, alive and vibrant, this is a winner with a long future. So put on your seat belt and get ready for the ride. It begs some pici and mushrooms, a local favourite pasta in Montalcino.

- 95 points -

Argiano Brunello is made with 100 per cent Sangiovese grown on ancient clay with a high-level of limestone at 280 to 310 meters. The vines range from 12 to 60 years old are organically farmed at very low yields. The vintage is a superstar and one to invest in for the long term. The ferment is all stainless steel, but the malolactic take place in concrete followed 30 months of aging in Slavonian oak barrels of varying capacity (10/15/30/50 Hl). The work of Antonini is felt here even at 14.16 per cent alcohol, where the balance and elegance of this Brunello waft through its powerful structure with ease. In 2015 the nose is a symphony of ripe red fruits, think plums or cherries, perfect spicing and a big dollop of deliciousness. It is the real thing and will be for decades.

- 95 points -

#1 - Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines 2023

Rose, strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors are the main themes in this red, along with wild herb, mineral and cut hay accents. Racy and full of energy, with a long, saturated finish. - (#1 Wine Spectator Top 100, 2023)

- 95 points -

Delightful aromas of juicy red cherries, strawberries, rose petals and wild bush, together with hints of juniper and ground herbs. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and crisp acidity. Zesty and piquant with beautiful balance and finish. Plenty of fruit at the end. Give it more time to come around

- 95 points -

This is packed with ripe cherry, plum and raspberry fruit, with floral, mineral, juniper and wild herb accents adding depth and complexity. There's plenty of energy and structure as well, providing excellent balance, with a long aftertaste

- 94 points -

Taking a dark ruby hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers a warming bouquet of black raspberry, licorice candies, polished leather, and sappy forest herbs. Rounded and approachable, it’s medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannins and balanced acidity, ripe concentration throughout, and a long finish with a note of bergamot. This is a beautifully styled wine from the Argiano team, who continue to impress.

- 94 points -

Siena native Bernardino Sani began his wine career with a cellar internship at Argiano in 2002, and returned some ten years later, taking over as CEO in 2014. He has overseen a conversion to organic viticulture and an expansion of the cellar, with a shift toward use of larger Slavonian oak casks for the aging of the Brunellos. The benefits of these changes are apparent in this Brunello which, despite the warm and dry 2017 vintage, offers scents of rose petal and violet that are precise and lifted, with a cool mineral tone that energizes its vivid red and black cherry flavors layered with notes of licorice and tarragon. The wine gains energy over several days while maintaining that firm minerality that makes this wine so appealing.

- 94 points -

A bright and fresh 2018 with cherry and floral aromas and flavors. Medium body, refined tannins and a linear finish with bright acidity. Tangy and energetic. Tight at the end. A year or two will open it, but already a beauty.

- 94 points -

A graceful wine focused on sweet cinnamon, red fruit and licorice. Light-bodied, on the palate, it shows vivid chalky tannins, a grainy finish and crisp acidity. To be matched with food. From organically grown grapes.

- 94 points -

A little tight now, with cherry and cedar character on the nose and palate. Plenty of flowers as well. Medium-bodied and crisp, with firm tannins that are all together. There’s energy and brightness to this.

- 94 points -

Very attractive floral and fresh aromas to the plums and cherries, following through to the palate. Flavorful and gorgeous, yet lively and focused. Lovely 2017. Drink now or hold.

- 94 points -

Here's a nicely balanced Brunello that boasts bright cherry fruit intensity despite the many years of cellar aging required by the appellation. The Argiano 2020 Brunello di Montalcino offers a robust layer of red and purple berry fruits along with soft spice, grilled herb and sweet potting soil. There is a slightly botanical element to the wine with green herb and dried lavender. The wine is made with fruit from old and new vines, ranging in age from 12 to 55 years old. The tannins are very fine-grained, and the acidity is present to good effect but is not too sharp.

- 94 points -

Crushed ashen stones, cloves, dried black cherries, rosemary and balsam herbs create a spice box display as the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass. This is surprisingly fresh and energetic, nearly juicy in character, yet refined and focused, with silken textures ushering in crisp wild berry fruits and orange tones that slowly saturate the palate. It finishes spicy and long, yet its energy never wavers, with grippy tannins that tug at the cheeks as licorice and cranberry notes fade.

- 94 points -

The 2016 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino shows sweet herbs and tobacco with hints of mocha and cedar spice box. It’s silky in texture, coasting across a medium-bodied frame while giving way to tart red berries, with grippy tannins mounting toward the close. A cooling wave of minty herbs and licorice adds much needed freshness, bringing the 2016 into balance throughout the youthfully structured finale. While this was hard to read and quite backward upon opening, it blossomed beautifully in the glass over time.

- 93 points -

The supple texture and medium-body easily support the ripe cherry, raspberry and plum fruit, while earth, leather and tobacco add grace notes. Very harmonious, even at this stage, this red is bright and long, with a fruity and savory aftertaste. Best from 2023 through 2042.

- 93 points -

The bright red 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino is pretty and pure, with a fruit-forward profile on the nose of bright red cherries, sweet tea, candied orange, and fennel. Medium-bodied, it floats on the palate with fine tannins and a snap of mouthwatering acidity that adds a bit of energy to this more elegantly styled vintage from Argiano

- 93 points -

As one would expect the Argiano comes streaming with magnificent fruit on the heels of a string of recent vintages inclusive and in many ways culminating at their near perfect 2016s. What has been learned and essential changes that have been made have led to making this effortless ’17, relatively speaking but heat being little matter when acumen runs this high. Bernardino Sani has found the sweet spot, a place where optimum fruit ripeness can linger and develop all the necessary accoutrements to acquiesce at a positively proper meeting point. The length on this classic ’17 is outstanding with thanks to the work put in.

- 93 points -

Focused cherry and plum flavors mark this rich red, with a hint of orange peel. Flashes of earth, leather and iron lend complexity, while the firm structure adds grip. Exhibits fine balance and length. Given the fruit, this should be approachable soon.

- 92 points -

Scents of crushed mint, woodland berries and new leather come to the forefront along with a whiff of violet. The full-bodied palate features cherry marinated in spirits, licorice and a hint of coffee bean alongside firm, refined tannins.