2021 Tenuta Argentiera “Villa Donoratico”, Tuscany, Italy

ABOUT THE WINE
“Villa Donoratico” is Tenuta Argentiera’s second wine, but in no way secondary. Made from a selection of estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, it reflects the diverse soils and elevations of the Bolgheri DOC, particularly the vineyard blocks ranging between 120–200 meters above sea level. The 2021 vintage was marked by ideal conditions: a mild spring, hot dry summer, and cooler nights that preserved aromatics and balance. After separate vinification in stainless steel, the wine aged 12 months in French oak barriques (30% new), followed by additional time in bottle. The result is a generous yet focused red: plum and blackberry fruit, notes of cocoa and thyme, and fine tannins that carry through a long, elegant finish. Versatile and age-worthy, it pairs beautifully with grilled meats, pasta with wild boar ragù, or aged pecorino.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Tenuta Argentiera is a rising star in Bolgheri, founded in the early 2000s on historic land that once belonged to the Donoratico estate. Situated in the southernmost and highest reaches of the DOC, Argentiera benefits from a unique combination of sea proximity and elevation, with vineyards rooted in mineral-rich soils that lend freshness and complexity to its wines. The estate is guided by a philosophy of sustainability and precision—low yields, hand-harvesting, and careful oak aging. While known for its flagship Bolgheri Superiore, Argentiera’s “Villa Donoratico” showcases the estate’s ability to craft wines of pedigree and personality that are both accessible and complex.