Villa Donoratico Bolgheri DOC - Argentiera - 2022

75cl

Alcohol content: 14.5 % vol.

Grape varieties: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot

Vinification:

Fermentation, including skin maceration in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, lasted around 20 to 25 days. The individual grape varieties were vinified separately. Once malolactic fermentation was complete, 80 per cent of the wine was transferred to French and Austrian oak tonneaux for ageing. The remaining 20 per cent matured in French barriques.

Tasting note:

Intense ruby red with purple reflections. The nose is rich and varied with fruity hints of plum, blueberry and raspberry as well as balsamic notes of mint, eucalyptus and sage. There are notes of cocoa, nutmeg and pepper in the background and a fine rosemary flavour at the end. Elegant on the palate thanks to the finesse and structure of the tannins, which demonstrate a proper ageing in wood. A full-bodied wine with notes of black berries and a balsamic, spicy character. A wine with aromatic length and a fresh mineral finish.

The Tenuta Argentiera is one of the most renowned wineries in the famous DOC Bolgheri in the Tuscany. It is renowned for its prestigious Bordeaux blends and benefits from an exceptionally remote geographical location.

Near the sea: The estate is situated in the southernmost part of the appellation and, of all the Bolgheri wineries, is located closest to the Tyrrhenian Sea. The vineyards begin just about a kilometre from the coast.

Altitude: At the same time, the vineyards on the hills near Donoratico reach an altitude of up to 200 metres above sea level – the highest figure in the entire Bolgheri region.

Microclimate: The combination of a constant sea breeze, intense sunshine and significant day-night temperature fluctuations protects the grapes from heat stress and ensures slow, even ripening.

Surroundings: The vineyard, covering around 75 to 85 hectares, is nestled amongst a rich variety of Mediterranean scrub (low-growing woodland), ancient avenues of pine trees and olive trees.

Owner: Tenuta Argentiera has been owned by the Austrian entrepreneur since 2015 Stanislaus Turnauer, who took over the estate from the founding Fratini family.

Cellar Master: The oenologist has been responsible for the winemaking process since 2009 Nicolò Carrara responsible.

Counselling: The team is supported by the internationally renowned top oenologist from Bordeaux Stéphane Derenoncourt.

Whilst the estate’s first decade was strongly characterised by the classic, opulent Bordeaux style with 100 % new oak, the style has evolved, particularly since 2012, towards the height of refinement and elegance further developed:

Focus on terroir: These days, every wine is vinified on a plot-by-plot and terroir-based basis. The focus is on letting the grape variety and the location speak for themselves.

 

Freshness & Ease of Drinking: The team is deliberately striving for lower alcohol levels (often around 14 % vol.) and a high level of juiciness. Despite their power, the wines should never come across as „heavy“ or overbearing.

The judicious use of wood: The proportion of new oak in the flagship wine Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore has been significantly reduced (to under 30 %). In addition to barriques, larger 500-litre tonneaux and 3,000-litre casks made from Austrian and German oak are increasingly being used so as not to mask the fruit.

Gentle processing: The grapes are harvested entirely by hand. They are moved by gravity – without the use of pumps – to ensure that the tannins remain extremely fine-grained and elegant.

grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon takes centre stage, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with a touch of Syrah and Petit Verdot.