In the "New World" of wines, what was once the exclusive style of a particular region can be found being produced in many other parts of the world.
The great Bordeaux red wines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, sometimes Petit Verdot, and rarely Malbec, or Carmenere, are a model that winemakers in other countries, US, Australia, Italy and others seek to emulate.
Here is wonderful example in a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc blend called Villa Donoratico 2005 from the Tenuta Argentiera Estate which is situated on the coast of Tuscany between Livorno and Grosseto, about 100km south-west of Florence.
This wine has all the qualities of a good Bordeaux with an essence of Italian that gives it a very interesting style. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
The Argentiera estate is on lands that have history going back to the Medici family of Florence who gave use of the land to the Serristoris who nurture an Estate called Tenuta di Donoratico. In earlier time the Etruscans mined the region for silver thus the name "Argentiera” which derives from “argento”, Italian for silver.
In later years it was part of the Bossi Pucci family estate and, from the beginning of the 70’s, of the Paradiso estate, owned by Mr. Scaglietti, famous orthopedic surgeon.
Today the Tenuta is jointly owned by brothers Corrado and Marcello Fratini, renowned entrepreneurs from Florence, and Marchese Piero Antinori.
The owners of this delightful land have paid close attention to its The land, which is very well-suited to the production of great red wines, is considered to be among the most beautiful in the Bolgheri area
The current owners describe the story of their wine like this "After a rainy autumn followed by a winter with fairly low average temperatures the development of vegetation in 2005 started with a delay of 10 – 12 days compared to previous years.
Spring with very good weather conditions encouraged the vines to develop well. June, July and August were not really hot months, with average temperatures of around 24° C, so that the grapes ripened very slowly, without water lack and in perfect healthy conditions.
Harvesting started with Merlot on 15th September, which lasted end September. The Cabernet Franc grapes were harvested the last September week and the Cabernet Sauvignon from the end of September till the 10th of October.
The wine yields a deep ruby red color. On the nose fruity flavors of wild berries and prune followed by spicy aromas like red dried pepper and liquorice. Wine of good structure with remarkable softness and good balanced acidity.
On the palate generous and harmonious taste with subtle, sweet tannins and fruity hints of wild berries. A long lingering and elegant finish."
Argentiera Villa Donoratico Bolgheri, aromas of Indian spices and crushed red fruit. Full-bodied, with beautifully silky tannins and wonderfully intense flavors. Long and beautiful. 70 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 percent Merlot and 5 percent Cabernet Franc. Best after 2008. 8,300 cases made. WINE SPECTATOR SCORE 91
Available in NY and NewJersey in the $30-35 Range
Imported by Banville & Jones
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