You’re reading the super old version of this blog, to go to the new blog visit www.wine90.co.uk
Argiano Solengo 2005
Argiano Solengo 2005 is another of those great value Super Tuscans but this time from the heart of Montalcino. Argiano Solengo has long been a favourite within Italy, less famous than your Tigs and Solaias but inside a more acceptable price bracket for those of us less minted than Scrooge McDuck. The 2005 has been particularly well received by the critics so I thought I would buy a bottle from my local Enoteca and see if it’s as good as they say.
If you’re a frequent reader of the blog you’ll know I reviewed a fair few Super Tuscans back in early summer and 2005 has been a vintage where many had struggled to reach the quality of the previous vintage. Perhaps because this isn’t coming out of Bolgheri or perhaps because the guys at Argiano did a super job, this wine hasn’t suffered at all from 2004, in fact it’s better.
The Solegno spends 16 months in french oak and is an unfiltered wine. This wine is bold and different and might not appeal to every palate, just because you enjoy Tig is no indicator at all that you’ll like this wine. It’s quite outside the “normal” Super T profile. The wine is infamous for catching people out in blind tastings, you may think Bordeaux or even Australia, I wouldn’t call this an expression of Italy, I’d just call it a fine bottle of vino! Argiano’s Brunello di Montalcino isn’t half bad either but no where close to this special wine.
Its an age old debate. Quality of wine Vs Individual flaws or terroir expression. Look to Australia to find countless examples. What is australian terroir anyway?
What wine would you suggest to go with an Italian dessert such as Tiramasu?
Hey OliverThe book would take an Italian Dessert wine like moscato. Elorina Moscato di Noto is a nice option.If you don’t want to go for a dessert wine I loved the ’90 Nero del Tondo with Tiramisu.Any other suggestions?Im really into food/wine matching at the moment, might go there for the next blog post. Thanks Oliver.
Have never seen this wine. You make it sound great, if I see it will pick up 1.
I’m not worried about the erosion of individuality in some wines. I have noticed a big shift in quality of wines from almost every region in the past 20 years. If some producers are borrowing good techniques from famous regions and producing quality wine then that is good for the consumer.
I am new to wine but love Italy and especially Tuscany, myself and my wife Helen are thinking about retiring there in 2010 so when I see your Tuscan wine reviews it spurs us on that little bit more.Keep on blogging.Russell
I’d love to see a blog post on food/wine matching. I’m new to wine so don’t go far beyond the classic wine and food matches. There are things I have noticed though, such as the tannins in red wine, in combination with a fish dish, will impart an unpleasant metallic taste to the wine, and often to cheese; not nice. Also, I have yet to find a wine that pairs well with chocolate, not even dessert wine. And finally, apart from pairing wine with food, does one have to take into consideration the pairing of the wines if serving more than one wine during the same meal? Would like to see something on this subject!