You’re reading the super old version of this blog, to go to the new blog visit www.wine90.co.uk
Poggio Argentiera Finisterre
First off the bat, these wines are nothing like the MdS wines, we are talking chalk and substance quite a lot less like chalk. These are Italian wines from the same vineyard so we still have some Italian characteristics, high acidity for example, but really these wines are no place close to Morellino or even each other. I had my Riedel in hand, my hard Italian cheeses getting softer by the second and the wines decanting nicely so lets settle into the story of these two vinos.
The Poggio Argentiera Principio 2007 is a wine made from 100% Ciliegiolo, a Tuscan grape pretty much unknown to all except Italian wine fans. Grown close to the town of Manciano the 2007 production was 13,000 bottles.
Poggio Argentiera Principio 2007 – BUY – €15
Deep purple in the glass, beautiful cherried nose, hints of vanilla and raspberries, sweet to the smell. Mid-full bodied, silky smooth mouth feel, well balanced tannins, good structure, a little more acidic than expected, loyal to type, decent finish. 88 Points
Poggio Argentiera Finisterreis a 50/50 blend of Syrah and Alicante (Grenache) grapes, fermented in french oak, coming from low yields I was prepared for a torrid love affair.
However, this wine is a real puzzler. I am not sure where I stand with it. On the one hand it has a good balance and structure and on the other it wasn’t packed with flavours I enjoy. It gave me the impression of that class mate at school who you didn’t really like but was a favourite of the teachers. The teacher would always be throwing him questions and nods like they had some kind of secret understanding between them. 10 years later you look him up on Facebook and he is the Liberal Democrat candidate for Wirral South*. This wine clearly has something to say, I’m just not sure what it is, or if it’s profound or interesting yet it’s giving off hints that it could be destined for greatness…. or maybe not. I need to make a date with this wine on the 16th September 2018.
Poggio Argentiera Finisterre 2006 – PASS – €35
Deep purple in the glass, vibrant. Aromatically a little tight then comes a chocolate nose, some blackcurrant too. Really quite tannic with a full bodied mouth feel, complex, nice structure, lacking fruit on the mid palate also quite bitter, backward, get the feeling I‘m drinking this wine far too young. 89 Points
Given a little more time to breath and pairing it up with the Italian cheeses the wine took on a softer character and was much more enjoyable. My final word on this wine – if you want to buy it and drink it today pair it up with some chunky meats or hard cheeses and give it several hours breathing space. I do believe this wine will show something more subtle and refined in 10 years time. I must PASS the wine for drinking today at that price point though. What I would like is an older vintage as this simply doesn’t feel like a wine you should be judging today. *hint hint*
Where can I buy this wine? (Principio)
Only one retailer I can find “Vinmonopolet” from Denmark. – €15
Leave a Comment
Any experience of the Ciliegiolo grape? Favourite wine out of Tuscany? Is the current financial climate giving you the wine worries? Favourite Italian cheese? Is it insulting that we English named a biscuit (the worlds most boring biscuit too) after Italys most celebrated hero?
*This has not happened to me.