Tenuta Argentiera - Bolgheri Rosso Villa Donoratico 2021

Tenuta Argentiera stands in a magnificent patch of land in the Maremma that blends countryside and sea, suspended between woods and Mediterranean scrub. The Argentiera estate covers 75 hectares of breathtakingly beautiful Tuscan coast, approximately 100 km southwest of Florence. In the prestigious DOC of Bolgheri, Argentiera is the estate closest to the sea and also highest in altitude, making the land and microclimate especially well-suited to growing incredible red grapes. The estate is considered among the most beautiful in Italy, with its spectacular view of the islands of the Tuscan archipelago.

Tenuta Argentiera lies on the ancient Donoratico Estate.  Formerly the summer home of the notable Serristori family of Florence, the estate is now owned by the Fratini brothers who have made significant investments in the vineyards, winery and cellars over the past decade.  Originally the site of precious metal deposits, Argentiera derives its name from the Italian noun “Argento”, or silver.  This minerality that permeates the variety of soils on the estate is characteristically present in the wines.  Argentiera has been crafting wonderful wines for over a decade, however it was only with their first Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri award did they start garnering the praise they deserve. 

The Argentiera Estate spans over 500 hectares, but only a scant 75 are dedicated to vineyards.  All of the estate’s plantings lie within the broad Bolgheri DOC. Their soils range from calcareous and stony to sandy to mineral and pebbly, lending complexity to the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah. The vineyards are surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and the countryside is flush with maritime pines and olive tree groves. Argentiera has five main vineyard sites, ranging in elevation from 80-220 meters above sea level: Argentiera, Ginestre, Ventaglio, Porcarecce, and Ceccosodo. Every plot is harvested and vinified separately, exclusively in stainless steel, to preserve the character and fruity complexity lent by terroir variations. The wineries and cellars themselves are made of recycled or traditional materials such as terracotta and baked roofing tiles.

Grapes are hand-picked and carefully selected from the estate’s best vineyards, which are found at an altitude between 180 and 200 meters (590-600 feet). The grapes are released by gravity into tanks, each varietal vinified separately. Fermentation and maceration take place in stainless steel tanks for roughly 20-25 days at a controlled temperature never exceeding 28 C. The wine is then transferred to 225-liter French oak barrels to complete malolactic fermentation. Aging takes place over 12 months in barrel, followed by another 10 months in bottle before being released to the market.

“This is big wine from a lower denomination that offers good value when compared to the estate's top-shelf releases. The Argentiera 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Villa Donoratico is up front in terms of mouthfeel with lots of immediate intensity delivered to the mid-palate. The wine is articulate and generous with thick layers of black fruit, stewed plum, sweet earth and pressed blackberry. You get everything you want from a Bolgheri Rosso. In fact, you get a wine that tastes more like a Bolgheri Superiore. The blend is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. Production is 120,000 bottles.” - 94 points, Wine Advocate

“The deep red/purple 2021 Villa Donoratico displays a flashy and sexy style, with lush aromas of vanilla bean, blackberry liqueur, crushed sage, lavender, and cocoa cascading from the glass. Supple, rounded and inviting, it offers fantastic balance and harmonious structure. It’s a head-turner of a wine from this spectacular vintage, with all the lush fruit you come to expect from this estate as well as an exquisite finish. Give this one some time in the cellar, and the rewards will be high as it moves into its more secondary and tertiary profile with notes of polished leather and Mediterranean herbs. Drink 2026-2040.” - 94 points, Jeb Dunnuck

“Attractive cabernet-based red with currant and berry aromas and undertones of lead pencil and spice. Herbs. Full-bodied with walnuts, chocolate and fruit. Very fine tannins with a finesse and beauty. Drinkable but better in 2025.” - 94 points, James Suckling

Producer: Tenuta Argentiera

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Appellation: Bolgheri

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml