The 2015 Argentiera is explosive with power and intensity. Its bouquet is beginning to come together with harmonious depth of menthol, leather, cedar, and red currant. It is full and fleshy all the way through the finish, with fine velvety tannins, and rich with iron rich minerality. It is meaty but balanced. Flush with red plum tart, turned soil, and chocolate. It is drinking well now or over the next 10-15 years. It is no exaggeration to say this is truly one of the most beautiful and picturesque estates in the world, and I highly recommend a visit. Situated in the southern corner of Bolgheri, the wines are built around the 83 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon they have planted exclusively within the DOC. The Ventaglio is a cru concept from a single vineyard located two kilometers from the ocean, planted in 2010 to Cabernet Franc, which they have been bottling since the 2015 vintage. The vines here are planted in a full circle at the top of the hill around a single olive tree (thus the name “Ventaglio” meaning “fan”) and are trained in to keep ventilation flowing through the vineyard.

The 2015 Bolgheri Superiore Argentiera shows a lot of fullness and generosity, with depth. The texture is wonderfully soft and velvety. It has a beautiful richness to it, with notes of chocolate, spice and dark fruit. This Bolgheri blend is beaming with warm sunshine from within with integrated tannins and mild freshness. My advice, however, is to skip immediately forward to the stunning 2016 vintage—or try both. I tasted this vintage within the context of a mini vertical that included 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (all vintages that have previously been published).

Tasted at the famous dinner in the cypress avenue so no formal notes taken but it seemed rather richer and quite a bit more evolved than the 2016. (JR)