Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2018 is a 100% Sangiovese red wine from Tuscany's Montalcino zone, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This vintage was named Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of 2023, earning 95 points — a landmark recognition that placed Argiano at the center of the global wine conversation. Wine Enthusiast scored it even higher at 97 points, while James Suckling (94 points) and Wine & Spirits (94 points) further confirmed the vintage's exceptional quality.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Varietal: 100% Sangiovese Grosso  |  Producer: Argiano

Production & Heritage

Argiano is a historic estate located in the southern reaches of Montalcino, one of Tuscany's most prestigious wine zones. In a defining philosophical shift, the estate moved away from small French barriques and adopted large-format casks — 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000-liter vessels of French and Slavonian oak — supplemented by 600-liter tonneaux. This transition from roughly 10-hectoliter barrels to 50-hectoliter casks was designed to preserve fruit purity and let the Sangiovese Grosso grape speak with minimal oak interference. The 2018 was fermented using native yeasts, underwent extended maceration, and received only limited filtration before bottling — a winemaking approach rooted in transparency and terroir expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rose petals and fresh red cherry emerge first, layered with wild herbs, cedar, and a thread of anise. A secondary wave of fresh leather and earthy clay adds depth and complexity.

Taste: The entry is bright and precise, led by blood orange and raspberry fruit with a cranberry-like tartness. At mid-palate, saline minerality and mouthwatering acidity create electric tension, while silky tannins provide structure without heaviness. Notes of candied orange peel and a fleeting sweetness from dried fruit surface toward the peak.

Finish: Long, saturated, and full of energy, with lingering impressions of wild herb, mineral, and cut hay. The finish tapers slowly with a savory, slightly bitter edge that balances the fruit and invites another sip.

How to Drink Argiano Brunello 2018

Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled glass; decanting for 30 to 60 minutes allows the aromatics to fully unfurl and the tannins to integrate. This is a wine built for the table as much as for contemplation on its own. Pair it with braised lamb shank, where the wine's acidity and herb notes mirror the richness of the meat. It excels alongside wild boar ragù over pappardelle, a classic Tuscan pairing that highlights the Sangiovese's savory spine. A simple plate of aged Pecorino Toscano and chestnut honey also draws out the wine's mineral and dried-fruit undertones beautifully.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Italian wine collector a verified benchmark vintage
• Anchoring a Brunello di Montalcino vertical or horizontal tasting
• Pairing with a Tuscan-inspired dinner built around game, truffles, or aged cheeses
• Cellaring as a long-term investment from a critically acclaimed vintage

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Argiano Brunello 2018 taste like? It leads with vibrant red cherry, blood orange, and raspberry fruit, supported by saline minerality, wild herbs, and silky tannins. The overall impression is one of purity and energy rather than weight, with a long, savory finish.

How does Argiano Brunello 2018 compare to Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino? Both estates have earned Wine Spectator's #1 Wine honor — Casanova di Neri with its 2001 Tenuta Nuova and Argiano with this 2018 vintage. Argiano's recent shift to large-format cask aging tends to produce a more transparent, terroir-driven style, while Casanova di Neri's top bottlings often show richer concentration and darker fruit.

Is Argiano Brunello 2018 good for cellaring? Yes — its bright acidity, fine tannin structure, and minerality suggest a drinking window that extends well into the 2030s. The 2018 vintage in Montalcino is widely regarded as one of the decade's strongest, giving this wine a strong foundation for aging.

Where is Argiano Brunello 2018 made? It is produced at the Argiano estate in the southern part of Montalcino, within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG appellation in Tuscany, Italy. The vineyards sit at elevations that benefit from warm days and cool nights, encouraging slow, even ripening of the Sangiovese Grosso grape.

What foods pair well with Argiano Brunello 2018? Braised lamb shank mirrors the wine's herbal complexity and stands up to its acidity. Wild boar ragù over fresh pasta is a quintessential Tuscan match. Aged Pecorino Toscano echoes the savory, mineral character. Grilled bistecca alla fiorentina benefits from the wine's silky tannins. Mushroom risotto with shaved truffle draws out earthy undertones in the finish.

What sizes does Argiano Brunello 2018 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Argiano Brunello 2018 worth the price? It positions as a mid-tier Brunello in terms of list price, but its designation as Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of 2023 and a 97-point score from Wine Enthusiast place its critical standing alongside far more expensive bottlings. For a DOCG Brunello with this level of acclaim, it represents strong value within the category.

Why Argiano Brunello 2018?

Few wines can claim both Wine Spectator's top ranking and a 97-point Wine Enthusiast score in the same release cycle — Argiano's 2018 accomplished both. The wine is a direct result of the estate's deliberate return to traditional large-cask aging, native-yeast fermentation, and minimal intervention, a philosophy that yielded one of Montalcino's most transparent and expressive Brunellos in recent memory. The 2018 vintage itself is widely considered among the finest of the past decade in the region, providing the raw material for a wine that balances power with elegance. This is not a Brunello that leans on extraction or oak; it earns its reputation through purity of fruit, structural precision, and an unmistakable sense of place.