Argiano Brunello 2015.
With Hart, Tabs, Steffi, Sean, Karina, Joe, KW

I bought a stash of this, not remembering that I had tried it before. We didn’t really enjoy this last time: there was something hollow and flat about it. Thankfully this tasting confirmed that it was probably a faulty bottle.

In the glass: very much garnet, with mid concentration and mid- body.

On the nose: there was a lot of familiarity here – some VA, red plums, and that very very distinct iron and clay note, with a savory olive type note. Mild oak. The biggest difference was that the fruits were much more balanced than the last 2015 and didn’t smell flat and hollow. With air (3 hours in bottle), the fruits intensified, with notes of sweet cherry, plums still, and raisin. A sweet oak also intensified. That clay and olive note remained very distinct but became more in balance with the fruit.

On the palate: mid+ acidity, mid body, mid+ finish, pure dark cherry flavors. Tannins still a little pokey.
The biggest flaw was the slightly obtrusive high alcohol on the palate and the exhale. Wew.

Key learnings: the prev 2015 was a flawed bottle. In addition, there is a HUGE shift in style and winemaking between the 2015 and 2018.

The 2018 was well drinkable fresh off the bottle with minimal air. It’s a very delicate and pretty: very pretty and delicate pure red fruits with finely balanced oak and fruits. Really more like a Burgundian Chianti Classico than Brunello.

The 2015 on the other end consistently has this clay, iron and olive note. It’s also a more heady and robust wine. Almost a little bit clumsy. Definitely closer to a well oaked Brunello. This wine needs A LOT OF AIR.