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Poggio Argentiera Morellino di Scansano
Poggio Argentiera are fast becoming the kings of Morellino di Scansano. Poggio Argentiera are pretty new in Tuscany, the project began in 1997 with just 6 Ha of vines in Morellino di Scansano, fast forward 10 years and you have one of the best producers in the region creating exciting Morellino di Scansano as well as top quality blends.
Poggio Argentiera are a media savvy outfit who take full advantage of the league of bloggers and use the online medium to its full advantage, reporting on the harvests online, keeping video diaries and giving out media packs. While the wine making is an Italian affair, Justine Keeling, an english marketeer is responsible for the companies fresh image and funky designs in the heart of this most traditional of wine making regions.
Last week I was contacted by Poggio Argentiera to taste through their latest range of wines and as a huge fan of Morellino di Scansano and having heard so much about this producer I was naturally keen. There was no obligation to write a blog entry only simply to comment to the company themselves about their wines. Upon trying the first wine I was pretty sure this would be all I could do. However the quality of the second wine, the Capatosta 2006 was incredible, in fact the highest points I’ve ever personally awarded to a Morellino di Scansano that I felt it was valuable to mention. Secondly, these two Morellino di Scansanos were so different that it provides an insight into just how important vintage and vinification can be to a wine.
Poggio Argentiera produce a range of wines to accompany the traditional Morellino di Scansano, four of which I will have the pleasure (hopefully pleasure) of tasting tonight and tomorrow. Starting with the two remaining reds, the “Finistere” a 50/50 Syrah/Alicante blend and the “Principio”, 100 % Ciliegiolo! Thursdays blog entry will review the two whites of the pack, the “Fonte40” a 40% Ansonica, 40% Vermentino and 20% Fiano wine and the “Guazza” a 80% Ansonica and 20% Vermentino.
Been drinking Morellino for years it’s something of a well known wine fact that these wines are better value than Chianti Classico generally. I’ve also seen a hike in prices over the last 5 that I don’t enjoy.
Yip. Morellino di Scansano is a big favourite for Italian wine drinkers but outside of the gang it’s not well known. These producers are trying to bring it into the social consciouness and are doing a great job.
good choice! I replied to your thoughts on this elsewhere as well, but I think that Gianpaolo Paglia is doing a great job with the wine and with the communication, so I do hope it will be a big successI’ve always been a fan of this wine but couldn’t find it in the UK, but hopefully that will be about to change
YeahI sourced it at Everywine any good?Otherwise there are quite a few Italian companies that are sending this wine over to the UK.Although I’m not one of them! .. yet
Depends, straight Chianti yes, Chianti Classico is better in my opinion.
I’m surprised it took you so long to mention Morellino di Scansano again. Along with Montepulciano these two wines will be the big news in Italy in the next 10 years. The price of quality Barolo is out of control.Have you tried the Le Pupille range? We’ve never had a better Morellino than this they are the gods of the area.
Hey, you were quick!Thank you so much for the post, really really appreciated it and I’m going to link back and put the reviews in the customer/blogger feedback section.This is just to say that the two Morellinos are available in Australia too, although they might not be everywere (I’m just sending 1200 bottles of Bellamarsilia today…, but they are already there and Capatosta too). the importer is Micheal Thrembath of Trembath and Taylor (http://www.trembathandtaylor.com.au/), but one has to ask them where they sell the wines, I’ve never been there. Situation is better in UK, but to have a list of distributors you might want to ask our importer, Les Caves de Pyrene (http://www.lescaves.co.uk/), located in Guilford. Super italian portfolio, really.@Robert mcintosh. Don’t worry, the wine’ll find its way to you somehow. I got a few boxes in the washing machine room in Somerset. They might be a bit schakered by the time you taste them but hey, that’s the best I can do so far, until I’ll set up a direct online sale in the UK, which I’ll do.
Ciao GianpaoloI’ll send you a mail re: selling to the UK.
Generally speaking I think you’re more likely to find excellent Chianti Classico (or Rufina) over Morellino. Unfortunately I just don’t find the quality there in Scansano. Will I give various MdS a hook when they come through Ontario? Of course! Am I generally pleased with them? Unfortunately not.That said, of course there is a lot of poorly made Chianti as well. Focus on producer first, then vintage.I wonder if Poggio Argentiera’s wines are available in Ontario? The monopoly here makes it quite difficult to source things at times, and I don’t recall seeing them here yet.
Is that your hairy arm in the Grape picture? Thought you’d shave more regular. Your Tash seems to have gone ok…hot wax is marvellous isn’t it. LOL. Enjoy the site and comment you make. Thanks for making it interesting and not boring…no spitting required eh?!
Agreed Futronic, there are some fab chianti classicos out there too. I am very excited about the improving quality of MdS though.Arance – seems I need to moderate the comments on this blog after all! *points at the door* :p
I’ve only had one Morellino di Scansano and I can’t say I was overly impressed, then again, I’m no fan of Chianti either.P
the arm i mine, I didn’t think it was that hairy though…About the MdS vs Chianti I should say something. Morellino in the last decade became very popular in Italy (among the most sold 10 wines, says survey made by Vinitaly). It became popular not because Chianti wasn’t good enough, although 10 yrs ago they were not as goog as they are today, as an average, but because with the same money you spent for a good Morellino you couldn’t buy the same quality with Chianti. Disclaimer: when I say Chianti I mean Chianti Classico, the only true Chianti, strictly speaking.I don’t know if that’s true today, but Maremma, where Morellino is made, is full of vineyards, most of which belong to Chianti, Brunello, or other famous italian appellations wine producers.Poggio Argentiera has never been lucky with distribution in the Americas, mainly due to the poor performances of our importer (Empson), who represents us in US and Canada (including Ontario, where just a few bottles land from time to time).Need more info on Morellino? Feel free to contact me.
Haven’t tried this wine but many other Morellino di Scansano wines. True to say quality has improved in the top labels but there is still a lot of dirt Morellino out there.
Hi,
I Like your site very much. I am curious as to your readers thoughts on the newly released 2007La Mozza Morellino di Scansano.
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