2016 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany

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.

97 points James Suckling jamessuckling.com Dec 2021

The Argiano 2016 Brunello di Montalcino shows a lovely transparency to its appearance and follows with lifted red fruit aromas, cassis, wild cherry and blue flower. It is made with a simple approach, fermented in cement tank and aged slowly in oak, and the fruit comes from a 22-hectare site with limestone marl soils. It delivers a lightness and a weightlessness that is not often ascribed to this vintage. No worries, the power of 2016 comes through at the very end in terms of tannins and structure. This ample release of 115,000 bottles will be ready to drink after 2023 when the wine has had time to open and flesh out.

Argiano has undergone many changes over the past years but is now enjoying a tranquil and productive period of slow growth. An ambitious restoration project to the gorgeous villa (one of the most beautiful buildings in central Italy) is complete. An import library of old vintages—including many made by the legendary winemaker Giacomo Tachis—has been established, and there is even a section dedicated to Bordeaux, Burgundy whites and some choice Château d'Yquem. Argiano is a true wine lover's destination in Montalcino.

96 points Monica Larner robertparker.com