Monica Larner

"A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 5% Sangiovese, the Argiano 2023 Solengo shows ripe fruit and vinous aromas of cherry skin and fruit preserves. This was not an easy vintage—especially across the different varieties in the blend—and fruit selection was crucial to achieving quality. There is a firm, almost stemmy edge, with extra bulk on the full-bodied finish. Notes of cracked white pepper, bay leaf and wild blackberry emerge on the close. First released in the early 1990s, Solengo represents Argiano's super Tuscan expression, blending international varieties with a small but meaningful Tuscan imprint. Merlot has been phased out and replaced by Cabernet Franc in this vintage. Production is approximately 70,000 bottles."

"The 2023 Solengo unleashes a captivating bouquet of crushed violets, lavender, wild berries and exotic spices, all complemented by a whiff of sweet smoke. The balance here is unreal, cooling the senses with tantalizing acidity as ripe red berry fruits swirl across a seamless wave of silky textures. A web of fine-grained tannin flexes on the senses as the 2023 reveals a saturation of citrus-laced blackberries and graphite mineral tones, all beneath an air of blue inner florals. Despite its youth and structure, the 2023 is already pleasing on so many levels. That said, patience will be rewarded. This is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot, 20% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese."