2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo
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Tasting notes
A more serious and mysterious profile emerges in the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna Del Suolo, with unfolding layers of cherry liqueur, leather, smoky cedar, licorice, and rocky earth. Medium to full-bodied, with fantastic structure and balance, it has depth without weight, offering ripe tannins that are well-integrated and driving acidity that creates fantastic tension throughout. Notes of tea leaves, bergamot, clove, and turned soil all work together harmoniously. Drink 2025-2045. The following wines were tasted at the estate in San Angello in Colle in January 2023. Stylistically, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the estate has moved away from the use of barrique in the production of their Sangiovese (now only used for their Cabernet Sauvignon of Solengo). The wines are certainly beginning to take on a fresher style, while still maintaining clean winery practices.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
In the cream-colored label, the Argiano 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo (with 5,000 bottles made) shows good fruit vibrancy with cherry, dried raspberry and plum. The tannins are silky and fine, and the wine coats the palate with mid-weight texture and balanced freshness. This is a relatively new addition to the Argiano portfolio (the first vintage was 2015). It draws its fruit from the expanses of vines on the dirt road that leads to this property's epic castle.
Darkly alluring and understated in the glass, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo wafts up to show musky black currants offset by hints of sage and clove. This is graceful and finessed, yet enveloping, with bright acidity enlivening its red plum and ripe strawberry fruits, as hints of balsamic spice resonate throughout. The 2018 finishes with a grippy tension, as fine tannins penetrate deeply, leaving hints of dried cherries and lavender that slowly fade. The Vigna del Suolo will require patience to fully soften and unlock its aromatics. That said, it will be worth the wait. This is a beauty.
Maturing ruby with bricky rim. A little reductive and embryonic on the nose with only a hint of oatmeal suggesting some new oak came into play. Fragrant cherry fruit on the palate and with long, sandpapery tannins. Great balance and length. Seduces you to think this is ready now, and certainly can be approached, but it will pay off to wait for another year. (WS)