Argiano : Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2010

Tasting characteristics and advice for Argiano's Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2010

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue with dark garnet highlights, with violet tones at the rim of the glass attesting to excellent phenolic concentration.

Nose

The bouquet is complex and layered, unfolding aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant and spice, alongside notes of cigar box, a sprig of rosemary and subtler touches of chocolate and toasted almond. Scents of grilled meat, granite, dried berries and flower petals intertwine, while nuances of charred herbs, smoke, tobacco, rose petal and mint add a savory, mineral dimension to the whole.

Palate

The structure is full-bodied and fleshy, with firm yet extraordinarily refined tannins framing a supple, velvety texture. The dense palate reveals a core of cherry enhanced by notes of tobacco, spice and earth, while flavors of plum, black cherry, vanilla, licorice and confectionery emerge as the tasting unfolds. Hints of smoky almond and roasted coffee cut through the concentrated blackberry and plum aromatics, creating a dark, twilight character lifted by vanilla, clove, anise and sage. The finish turns savory with a touch of plum tomato, offering exceptional length and remarkable intensity.

Food and wine pairings

This Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2010 pairs beautifully with rich, structured dishes. It is an ideal match for game stews and braises such as wild boar, guinea fowl or duck, as well as roasted veal and pork. Sauced preparations marry perfectly with the wine’s tannic structure, notably risotto with pigeon, pappardelle with wild boar ragù, or pici with sausages and mushrooms. Aged local cheeses, particularly pecorino di Pienza, make a remarkable pairing.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to decant this Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2010 for at least one hour before serving to allow the wine to open fully and express its full aromatic complexity. The ideal serving temperature is between 16 and 18°C. According to critics, this wine can be enjoyed until around 2032, with an optimal drinking window beginning in 2019.

An exceptional Brunello di Montalcino Riserva from a historic Tuscany vintage

The estate

Founded in 1580 by the noble Pecci family of Siena, Argiano is one of Montalcino’s oldest and most prestigious estates in Tuscany. The estate spans 125 hectares, including 57 planted to vines, situated at 300 meters above sea level on outstanding limestone soils. Owned since 2013 by Brazilian billionaire André Esteves, Argiano is led by oenologist Bernardino Sani, who has orchestrated a remarkable transformation toward organic viticulture and a classic expression of terroir. This renaissance was crowned in 2023 when Wine Spectator named its Brunello di Montalcino 2018 the Best Wine in the World, confirming Argiano’s return to the pinnacle of Tuscan excellence.

The vineyard

Argiano’s vineyard enjoys a privileged location in the south-western sector of the Brunello di Montalcino appellation, in Sant'Angelo in Colle, between 270 and 320 meters above sea level. This position offers a unique microclimate thanks to the proximity of the Tyrrhenian Sea just 50 kilometers away, bringing cooling influences. The limestone-rich soils and calcareous marls play an essential role in maintaining sangiovese’s natural acidity, giving the wines their hallmark freshness and elegance. Some of the estate’s vines are over sixty-five years old, contributing to the complexity and depth of the wines produced.

The vintage

The 2010 vintage in Tuscany is widely recognized as one of the most exceptional and consistent in the region’s recent history. The year was marked by ideal weather conditions throughout the growing cycle. A spring with adequate rainfall ensured sufficient water reserves, followed by a warm but measured summer, avoiding excessive heat. September brought perfect conditions for the final ripening of sangiovese grosso, with pronounced day-to-night temperature shifts allowing the grapes to reach full phenolic maturity while preserving vibrant acidity. This rare combination made it possible to produce wines combining fruit richness, tannic power and structuring freshness.

Vinification and aging

Vinification of this Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2010 was carried out on a parcel-by-parcel basis with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks, with manual pump-overs. The wine then benefited from extended aging of thirty-six months in oak, combining French barriques and larger-capacity casks. This prolonged maturation subtly integrated notes of cedar and vanilla into the wine’s fruity core, while refining the tannic structure. This aging period far exceeds the minimum regulatory requirement of twenty-four months in oak for the appellation, underscoring the estate’s quality ambitions for this Riserva cuvée.

Grape variety

100% sangiovese grosso, the local sangiovese clone grown in Montalcino, in accordance with the strict requirements of the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG appellation.