Argiano’s Brunello di Montalcino 2020 is a poised and expressive rendition of Sangiovese, capturing the elegance and power of Montalcino’s terroir. The nose opens with vibrant red cherry, wild strawberry, and dried rose, layered with notes of cedar, tobacco, and crushed Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, fine-grained tannins provide structure to a core of ripe red fruit, blood orange, and earthy spice, all carried by lively acidity. A refined mineral edge leads into a long, resonant finish with hints of leather, anise, and balsamic depth. A beautifully balanced Brunello with the potential to evolve gracefully over time.
94 Decanter From six parcels blended after fermentation in cement and aged in 30- to 50-hectolitre oak casks, the 2020 estate Brunello is an absolute charmer. Exotically scented, it leads with spiced persimmon, arbutus bush and heady lavender. Hints of sea and sand are redolent of the not-so-faraway Tuscan coast. Appetising and accessible, the palate is packed with glossy, almost candied fruit, and there is a fullness of flavour without being heavy. Fine, powdery tannins dissolve fluently, exposing a juicy core of succulent blood orange. Impossible not to like.
94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 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. This is an ample 104,000-bottle release.
93 Jeb Dunnuck 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. It's very pretty and approachable now but should age gracefully over the coming 10-12 years.
93 Vinous The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is decidedly savory and intense, with notes of tobacco, wilted violets, dusty earth and ashen stones. It flows across the palate with ease, drenched in primary concentration, soft-textured and round, offset by a core of tart wild berries. A tinge of spice slowly saturates the nose toward the close, tapering off staining and long, with a balanced tannic inflection that promises many years of balanced maturation.
94 Wine Spectator Offering rose, red berry and earth aromas, this perfumed red adds to its flavor profile with iron and tobacco notes. Complex and balanced, with lively acidity and an edge of chalky tannins on the long aftertaste. Shows terrific intensity and freshness. Best from 2027 through 2043.
94 James Suckling 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. Give it two or three years to open. Drink from 2027.
