Argiano, Solengo, Toscana IGT 2020

Profound nose here with chili chocolate and sandalwood beneath the sweet blackberry background. A hint of violets, too. An opulent and densely packed palate with full body and concentrated blackberries. Very tight tannins rendered in a fine-grained and almost seamless way, with a lingering finish. Drinkable now if decanted, but better after 2025.

Rich and balsamic in the glass, the 2020 Solengo smolders up with an array of mocha-tinged black cherries and tobacco lifted by hints of grilled sage and fresh mint. It shows the warmth but also elegance of the vintage, coming across as seamlessly silky on the palate. A balanced inner sweetness and vibrant core of acidity create a wildly energetic impression. This boasts a concentration of blackberry, steeped plums and hints of cocoa that drenches the senses, as a staining of fine tannins slowly takes hold through the dramatically long finale. There’s so much purity and upfront appeal, plus a balanced structure to carry it for well over a decade in the cellar. The 2020 is the total package. Lose these in the cellar for five to eight years, and then reap the rewards. Solengo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Sangiovese.

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot, 20% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese, the hot-vintage 2020 Solengo (in a heavy glass bottle) is very rich and dense with firm textural support and a full-bodied style. The wine is bold and beautiful and so is the quality of the fruit; however, there is a lot of oak spice and toast to take in. That oak is good reason to put this bottle aside in your cellar for three or four more years. Some 35,000 bottles were made.