Argiano, Rosso di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) 2010

Wine writers never tire of enthusing over Rosso di Montalcino, beating the drum for these “Baby Brunellos” despite the fact (as I see it) that the wines are often mediocre and are rarely as good as Chianti Classico wines that cost significantly less. With that said, though, I’m entirely happy to enthuse over this Rosso, which shows outstainding concentration and depth of flavor without seeming remotely over-ripe or over-worked. Notes of both red and black cherries are ripe but still fresh, and subtle wood and ripe tannins let the delicious fruit and subtle mineral accents persist on the palate for at least 20 seconds in the finish. This is a Rosso from which most Rossos should shrink in shame.