Valdicava

Überaus gelungen ist Valdicavas 2016er Rosso di Montalcino aus sehr harmonischem Jahrgang. Er überzeugt mit seinem ausladenden Bouquet von Sauerkirschen, dunklen Waldfrüchten und würzigen Noten. Gut strukturiert und viel saftiges Tannin im Geschmack, sehr beachtlich der Abgang. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Rosso di Montalcino is a very attractive wine from Valdicava and proprietor Vincenzo Abbruzzese. Although a bit lighter than most Valdicava wines, the 2016 still has a good bit of substance underpinning the red cherry and red plum flavors. Sage, tobacco, cedar and dried herbs add pretty shades of nuance as 2016 develops in the glass. Vinous

Valdicavas Rosso überzeugt mit seinem ausladenden Bouquet von Sauerkirschen, dunklen Waldfrüchten und würzigen Noten. Gut strukturiert und viel saftiges Tannin im Geschmack, sehr beachtlich der Abgang. Ein kleiner Brunello! SUPERIORE.DE

Großartiger Brunello, der sich mit dunklen, konzentrierten und reifen Aromen von Pflaume und Brombeere öffnet. Dicht und komplex am Gaumen der würzige Geschmack mit Noten von Kardamom und Nelke. Strukturiert und mit weichen Tanninen klingt er lang und mit feiner, kirschiger Süße nach. SUPERIORE.DE

"Einladende Himbeeraromatik, Kirschblüten; robuster Bau, die Säure akzentuiert, die Gerbstoffe engmaschig und gut eingebunden, im Abgang Noten von roten Beeren und Pfeffer. Gefällt mit seiner Finesse und doch auch Fülle." Vinum

"The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino reveals a dark and inky appearance with bright ruby highlights that break through the background darkness with brilliance. The nose is generous and robust with dark cherry fruit, plum, Indian spice, mocha and espresso bean. These elements are stitched together with seamless transitions. Despite that grand approach, Sangiovese's prickly and often nervous personality shines through nonetheless. The variety adds delicate berry nuances and bright acidity that give this wine profound depth. This is a very well-made wine that promises a long aging future." Robert Parker

"A rich, dense and muscular version, this reveals plum, black cherry, leather and tobacco notes, with a hint of chocolate on the finish. The assertive tannins need time, but already, with air, this is pulling together." Wine Spectator

"I like the ripe-fruit and smoked-meat aromas to this. Subtle and complex. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and chewy finish. Needs time to soften. Very structured for the vintage." James Suckling

Komplexer Duft nach Brombeeren und Gewürznoten, daneben auch vegetabile Andeutungen. Dichter Geschmack mit höchst eleganten Tanninen und einem nicht enden wollenden Nachhall. SUPERIORE.DE

"Helle Farbe für Valdicava. Süsslich, zart und fein im Duftbild, sehr verhaltene Frucht, stimmig und delikat, nicht so üppig wie erwartet. Weiche, reife Frucht im Mund mit nussiger Note von feinem Holzausbau, gute, feste Art. Ganz abgerundet und feingliedrig körperreich mit gut aufgefächerter Gerbstoffpräsenz." Weinwisser

"The gamy 2010 Brunello di Montalcino does a great job of presenting intensity and elegance all in the same delicious package. That's not easy to do and the excellent 2010 fruit plays a big role in achieving this goal. The wine offers a long succession of aromas that span from ripe fruit, to smoked meat, to grilled herb and soft spice. Delicate tones of licorice, cola and anise seed add life and energy. The list goes on. The wine's mouthfeel is best characterized by softness and structure, a two-fold approach that gives high hopes for the long aging potential of this wine. Valdicava's Brunello will appeal to those who love earthy and leathery notes in their Brunello." Robert Parker

"The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the very best wines I have tasted here in recent years. Dark red cherries, mint, game, smoke, tobacco and licorice are all deeply expressive in a mid-weight, very classic feeling Brunello long on class and personality. Big yet silky tannins frame the dramatic, intense finish." VINOUS

"Effusive aromas of incense, green olive, sweet strawberry and cherry, licorice and leather mark this structured version. The tannins are on the beefy side, but this finishes long, with enough fruit and spice for balance." Wine Spectator

"Absolutely stunning aromas of nectarine, orange peel, sweet black cherry, plums and flowers. Licorice and mushroom It's full body, with layers of ultra-fine tannins and hints of tangy acidity. Such beautiful length and beauty to this wine. It's powerful and structured yet shows a gorgeous finesse and length. Truly wondrous. So long and refined. The texture is phenomenal." James Suckling

Strahlendes Dunkel-Rubin mit violetten Reflexen. Sehr konzentriertes, dichtes Aroma nach dunklen roten Früchten, kleinen Beeren, untermalt von einer harmonischen Säure mit feiner Kräuterwürze. Der harmonische und eher kühle Klimaverlauf 2013 hat uns einen Brunello ins Glas gebracht, der frisch, elegant und dennoch sehr kraftvoll und vor allem persönlichkeitsstark und robust ist. Ecken und Kanten sind hier durchaus gewollt. Kraft und Druck sind bei Valdicava selbstverständlich. Und die noch notwendige Reife muss geduldig ausgesessen werden, wird aber garantiert belohnt. Vincenzo Abbruzzese hat hier wieder einmal (allen) gezeigt, dass Valdicava zu den absoluten Spitzenerzeugern der DOCG Montalcino gehört. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep red. Ample aromas of blackberry, red cherry, and violet, plus a whiff of violet. Dense, creamy and concentrated, offering savory flavors of ripe red cherry, licorice and cocoa lifted by nicely integrated acidity. Finishes quite fleshy, with youthfully chewy tannins and outstanding length. This Brunello may not be the last word in refinement, but it is hard to argue with its early appeal and deliciousness." Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

"Valdicava's 2013 Brunello di Montalcino is a beautifully saturated expression that opens to a dark garnet appearance and a soothing, velvety texture. The bouquet is packed tight with dark berry nuances, starting with ripe cherry and extending to black fruit tones of fresh prune and plum. The wine's strongest cards are its texture, structure and its power. This is a cool vintage that produced very fine and accessible wines. This expression, however, shows a very different personality with ample volume and long staying power." Robert Parker

"A juicy, young Brunello with berry, dried mushroom and flower character. Orange peel, too. Full body, firm and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. So complex and beautiful. It goes on for minutes. I love the balance that makes it so enjoyable to try now but it will age for decades ahead. Try to leave it until 2021." James Suckling

Madonna del Piano - die Spitzenlage von Valdicava, die ihren Namen wegen der dort vorhandenen kleinen Kirche trägt. Eine große Riserva mit lieblichen Tabaknoten und Andeutungen von Sauerkirschen, der Geschmack offenbart eine herrliche Konsistenz und wundervoll gelöste Tannine. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is the wine of the vintage with dark berry, chocolate, spice and mushroom character. Full body, silky and beautiful tannins and a long, long finish. A beautiful wine." James Suckling

"The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano is an expressive and articulate wine that speaks highly of Sangiovese and the Montalcino territory. The wine offers a pristine narrative of both grape and place with crystalline aromas of cherry, blackberry, spice, leather, smoke and Mediterranean herb. The bouquet peels back one delicious layer at a time. The mouthfeel is similarly successful with deep concentration and complexity. It imparts soft layers of dried fruit and velvety tannins. Endnotes of espresso bean and toasted almond add length and momentum." Robert Parker

Funkelndes, tiefes Rubinrot. Im Bouquet ein Füllhorn kleiner roter Beeren und roter Früchte. Komplex und intensiv am Gaumen und zugleich mit einer Raffinesse, die im Jahrgang 2012 ihresgleichen sucht. Wir entdecken dunkle Kirschen, Pflaume, Kampfer und eine Vielschichtigkeit, die mit zunehmender Luftzufuhr immer mehr Struktur und Persönlichkeit erkennen lässt. Im Finale dann feinunterlegte Holzwürze und eine überraschende Frische, die schon heute einen wunderbaren Reifezyklus erahnen lässt. Groß und monumental! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano is a dark and thickly extracted expression. It is one of the blackest Brunellos you will find in this report. This rich red wine takes a little longer to open because those primary aromas are buried deep under all that bulk and power. Indeed, this wine is almost too much of a good thing. It moves with slow-motion laziness, and the bouquet is in absolutely no rush to show what it has in store. At its leisure, it will deliver dried blackberry, cassis, bitter chocolate, spice, campfire ash and sticky tar. There is some tannic astringency that will (hopefully) integrate with time. This is a hearty and satisfying wine to drink in the heart of winter with gentle snowflakes fluttering outside your window. It is a romantic wine in heart and soul." Robert Parker

"Deep ruby-red. Toasty oak and vanilla complicate red cherry and underbrush aromas and flavors. Then rich, dense and concentrated, but lovely violet lift provides clarity and cut to the suave flavors of red cherry, red currant, flint and vanilla. Much deeper and richer than the 2013 Brunello from Valdicava, this beautiful wine finishes very long and ultra-smooth. It is the best wine I have ever had from this estate." Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

"A complex red with rose petals, violets, crushed stones and cherries follows through to a full body and chewy tannins that are poised and polished. Extremely long and intense. A top wine for the vintage. This needs three or four years, maybe more, to come together." James Suckling

Strahlendes Dunkel-Rubin mit violetten Reflexen. Sehr konzentriertes, dichtes Aroma nach dunklen roten Früchten, kleinen Beeren, untermalt von einer harmonischen Säure mit feiner Kräuterwürze. Der harmonische und eher kühle Klimaverlauf 2013 hat uns einen Brunello ins Glas gebracht, der frisch, elegant und dennoch sehr kraftvoll und vor allem persönlichkeitsstark und robust ist. Ecken und Kanten sind hier durchaus gewollt. Kraft und Druck sind bei Valdicava selbstverständlich. Und die noch notwendige Reife muss geduldig ausgesessen werden, wird aber garantiert belohnt. Vincenzo Abbruzzese hat hier wieder einmal (allen) gezeigt, dass Valdicava zu den absoluten Spitzenerzeugern der DOCG Montalcino gehört. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep red. Ample aromas of blackberry, red cherry, and violet, plus a whiff of violet. Dense, creamy and concentrated, offering savory flavors of ripe red cherry, licorice and cocoa lifted by nicely integrated acidity. Finishes quite fleshy, with youthfully chewy tannins and outstanding length. This Brunello may not be the last word in refinement, but it is hard to argue with its early appeal and deliciousness." Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

"Valdicava's 2013 Brunello di Montalcino is a beautifully saturated expression that opens to a dark garnet appearance and a soothing, velvety texture. The bouquet is packed tight with dark berry nuances, starting with ripe cherry and extending to black fruit tones of fresh prune and plum. The wine's strongest cards are its texture, structure and its power. This is a cool vintage that produced very fine and accessible wines. This expression, however, shows a very different personality with ample volume and long staying power." Robert Parker

"A juicy, young Brunello with berry, dried mushroom and flower character. Orange peel, too. Full body, firm and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. So complex and beautiful. It goes on for minutes. I love the balance that makes it so enjoyable to try now but it will age for decades ahead. Try to leave it until 2021." James Suckling

Dunkles Kirschrot. Vielschichte Nase mit Aromen von Waldbeeren, feiner Würze und nach getrocknetem Fleisch, verbunden mit Zedernholz und erdigen Noten. Im Trunk dann kraftvoll nach Schwarzkirsche, Brombeere, Pflaume, roten Rosenblüten und einer zarten Toastnote. Wunderbar im langen Abgang mit Anklängen an Pfeffer und exotische Gewürze. Eine großartige Riserva aus großem Jahrgang mit Kultpotenzial! SUPERIORE.DE

"Funkelndes, intensives Rubin-Granat. Ansprechende, intensive Nase mit Noten nach Brombeere und dunkler Kirsche, etwas Lakritze. Am Gaumen schön herausgearbeitete, saftige Frucht, nach Kirschen und Zwetschken, zupackendes, herzhaftes Tannin, im Finale fester Druck." Falstaff

"Deep ruby. Slightly reticent nose hints at black cherry, herbs and flint. Then juicy and bright, with deep flavors of minerals, blueberry and red cherry, complicated by peppery herbs. Closes long with repeating mineral nuances. A sleeping giant, the fruit is having a tough time emerging currently but I’d say there’s plenty there, just lying beneath the wine’s noble tannic cloak. Cellar this very refined Brunello for five or six years to see how it develops." Vinous

"Ripe, offering cherry, plum and floral aromas and flavors, matched to a rich texture. Tobacco and iron notes emerge as this builds to a lengthy finish. A touch dry on the finish, but the sweet fruit returns in the end." Wine Spectator

"Earthy aromas of wild berry, new leather, truffle and exotic spice emerge from the glass. The concentrated, vibrant palate delivers dried black cherry, licorice, tobacco and black pepper alongside fine-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"Showing ripe and balanced fruit, the Valdicava 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano offers many very positive attributes. The wine flaunts a slightly contemporary or international side, and it does so with extreme confidence and elegance. Much of that natural balance comes directly from the classic vintage that exhibits both the structure and acidity necessary for prolonged cellar aging. Now, in the wine's youngest phase, it offers lush primary cherry and blackberry flavors followed carefully by measured spice, toast and red rose potpourri." Robert Parker

"This opens with savory, truffle and meaty aromas with a complex and quite cryptic nose that delivers a wealth of ripe plums and cherries, cedar and fresh, violet-like flowers, as well as some earthy nuances. The palate has a very sturdy, intense and power-charged core of rich plums and dark cherries, framed in quite fierce tannins that are so long. Super Brunello Riserva here with great potential." James Suckling

Dichtes, konzentriertes Rubinrot und ein großzügiges, intensives Bouquet. Neben einer frischen Frucht Tabak- und Ledernuancen eine aromatische Zimt- und Nelkenwürze. sophisticated der Geschmack, dem die frische Säure und die beachtliche Fülle Halt und Eleganz verleihen. Zurückhaltendes, perfekt integriertes Tannin, das auch im Abgang wie Seide knistert. SUPERIORE.DE

"This beautiful riserva shows enormous thickness and blackness, like midnight of a new moon. The wine delivers impenetrable density, extraction, black fruit, spice, berry preserves, licorice, asphalt, ground black pepper, cherry liqueur and crème de cassis. There are seemingly no limits to the intensity and complexity here. The mouthfeel is dense, plush, firmly structured and very long. Keep this Brunello safely in your cellar 20 years or more." Wine Enthusiast

"I tasted this about a year ago at the winery and I was blown away. This time I tasted it in a blind tasting in Tuscany and it stood above the rest. Amazing aromas of blueberries and flowers, with black truffles and pie. Foie gras, mushrooms and white truffles too. Powerful, with great depth of gorgeous fruit and ultra-fine tannins. It fills your mouth with fruit and ripe tannins. Complex and long. A breathtaking wine. Truly glorious." James Suckling

Dunkles Kirschrot. Vielschichte Nase mit Aromen von Waldbeeren, feiner Würze und nach getrocknetem Fleisch, verbunden mit Zedernholz und erdigen Noten. Im Trunk dann kraftvoll nach Schwarzkirsche, Brombeere, Pflaume, roten Rosenblüten und einer zarten Toastnote. Wunderbar im langen Abgang mit Anklängen an Pfeffer und exotische Gewürze. Eine großartige Riserva aus großem Jahrgang mit Kultpotenzial! SUPERIORE.DE

"Funkelndes, intensives Rubin-Granat. Ansprechende, intensive Nase mit Noten nach Brombeere und dunkler Kirsche, etwas Lakritze. Am Gaumen schön herausgearbeitete, saftige Frucht, nach Kirschen und Zwetschken, zupackendes, herzhaftes Tannin, im Finale fester Druck." Falstaff

"Deep ruby. Slightly reticent nose hints at black cherry, herbs and flint. Then juicy and bright, with deep flavors of minerals, blueberry and red cherry, complicated by peppery herbs. Closes long with repeating mineral nuances. A sleeping giant, the fruit is having a tough time emerging currently but I’d say there’s plenty there, just lying beneath the wine’s noble tannic cloak. Cellar this very refined Brunello for five or six years to see how it develops." Vinous

"Ripe, offering cherry, plum and floral aromas and flavors, matched to a rich texture. Tobacco and iron notes emerge as this builds to a lengthy finish. A touch dry on the finish, but the sweet fruit returns in the end." Wine Spectator

"Earthy aromas of wild berry, new leather, truffle and exotic spice emerge from the glass. The concentrated, vibrant palate delivers dried black cherry, licorice, tobacco and black pepper alongside fine-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"Showing ripe and balanced fruit, the Valdicava 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano offers many very positive attributes. The wine flaunts a slightly contemporary or international side, and it does so with extreme confidence and elegance. Much of that natural balance comes directly from the classic vintage that exhibits both the structure and acidity necessary for prolonged cellar aging. Now, in the wine's youngest phase, it offers lush primary cherry and blackberry flavors followed carefully by measured spice, toast and red rose potpourri." Robert Parker

"This opens with savory, truffle and meaty aromas with a complex and quite cryptic nose that delivers a wealth of ripe plums and cherries, cedar and fresh, violet-like flowers, as well as some earthy nuances. The palate has a very sturdy, intense and power-charged core of rich plums and dark cherries, framed in quite fierce tannins that are so long. Super Brunello Riserva here with great potential." James Suckling

Funkelndes, tiefes Rubinrot. Im Bouquet ein Füllhorn kleiner roter Beeren und roter Früchte. Komplex und intensiv am Gaumen und zugleich mit einer Raffinesse, die im Jahrgang 2012 ihresgleichen sucht. Wir entdecken dunkle Kirschen, Pflaume, Kampfer und eine Vielschichtigkeit, die mit zunehmender Luftzufuhr immer mehr Struktur und Persönlichkeit erkennen lässt. Im Finale dann feinunterlegte Holzwürze und eine überraschende Frische, die schon heute einen wunderbaren Reifezyklus erahnen lässt. Groß und monumental! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano is a dark and thickly extracted expression. It is one of the blackest Brunellos you will find in this report. This rich red wine takes a little longer to open because those primary aromas are buried deep under all that bulk and power. Indeed, this wine is almost too much of a good thing. It moves with slow-motion laziness, and the bouquet is in absolutely no rush to show what it has in store. At its leisure, it will deliver dried blackberry, cassis, bitter chocolate, spice, campfire ash and sticky tar. There is some tannic astringency that will (hopefully) integrate with time. This is a hearty and satisfying wine to drink in the heart of winter with gentle snowflakes fluttering outside your window. It is a romantic wine in heart and soul." Robert Parker

"Deep ruby-red. Toasty oak and vanilla complicate red cherry and underbrush aromas and flavors. Then rich, dense and concentrated, but lovely violet lift provides clarity and cut to the suave flavors of red cherry, red currant, flint and vanilla. Much deeper and richer than the 2013 Brunello from Valdicava, this beautiful wine finishes very long and ultra-smooth. It is the best wine I have ever had from this estate." Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

"A complex red with rose petals, violets, crushed stones and cherries follows through to a full body and chewy tannins that are poised and polished. Extremely long and intense. A top wine for the vintage. This needs three or four years, maybe more, to come together." James Suckling