Castello di Argiano Sesti Monteleccio 2022, I.G.T. Toscana, Italy

Castello di Argiano Sesti, owned by father and daughter team Giuseppe and Elisa, is located in Montalcino and their vineyards are grown on the southern slopes of Montalcino (home of some of the greatest Brunello). Giuseppe (‘Giugi’) Sesti, studied fresco painting for 8 years before turning to ancient astronomy and lunisolar calendars. In 1975, he moved to Montalcino to find a quieter life and to explore his other interests including opera. He planted his own vines in 1991 after years of helping neighbouring winemakers with their harvests and wines. Today, he is considered as one of the leading winemakers of the region – a tremendous feat in such a short span of time. Giuseppe and Elisa follow organic and biodynamic approaches both in the vineyards and in the cellar. Fleshy and immediately appealing, his wines might be mistaken for top Right Bank Bordeaux – which is probably not such a bad thing.