Valdicava

Vincenzo Abbruzzese vinifizierte 2014 keinen Brunello und keine Brunello Riserva, daher gelangten in diesem Jahrgang alle Trauben seiner Top-Lagen in diesen köstlichen Rosso! Satte, dunkle Farbe, intensiver Duft mit Noten von dunklen Kirschen und Bitterschokolade. Am Gaumen rund und geschmeidig, offen und mit griffigem Tannin, samtig im langen Finale. (superiore.de)

"The 2014 Rosso di Montalcino represents the majority of the harvest in a year that was extremely challenging and plagued with rain in the days leading up to the harvest. A pleasant, fruit-driven Rosso, the 2014 is an attractive wine to drink now and over the next 2-3 years, while the fruit retains its brightness. Sweet spice and floral notes add an attractive upper register through to the supple finish. There is a limit to what Abbruzzese and his long-time winemaker Attilio Pagli could do in 2014, and this is it." Antonio Galloni

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)

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." Antonio Galloni

"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

"Rich and complex with a long aging future ahead, this beautiful Brunello from Valdicava offers tight, crisp acidity, solid tannins and a bouquet that is richly packed with black fruit, cherry, spice and tobacco aromas. Pair this wine with succulent cuts of beef." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino flows with gorgeous layers of dark red fruit. This is one of the more muscular, virile wines of the vintage. Slow to reveal its character, the Valdicava Brunello will require significant patience, but I have seen the wine blossom beautifully, even in the smallest of vintages. A blast of iron, smoke, tar, licorice and new leather inform the deep, intense finish. This is a hugely promising, brilliant Brunello from proprietor Vincenzo Abbruzzese, but it needs to be buried in the cellar for at least a few years. Readers who can’t wait should open the wine a few hours in advance, which will allow the fruit to emerge." Robert Parker

"Love the nose on this with blackberries, sweet tobacco, blueberries. Full body, with soft and silky tannins and a light jammy finish. Lots of dark fruits. Long finish. Loads going on in this one. Give it three to five years. Or more." James Suckling

Klarer Duft nach Brombeeren und interessanten Gewürznoten, daneben auch vegetabile Andeutungen. Der reiche, dichte Geschmack mit den lieblichen, gut verteilten Tanninen klingt lang und tief nach. (superiore.de)

"This Brunello opens with inky, dark concentration and ripe aromas of prune, plum and blackberry. It's packed tight with savory spices, such as ground clove and cardamom, and it also offers a full load of ripe (but not jammy) black fruit. It feels thick and textured on the palate, with tannins that will soften with 5-10 more years of bottle aging. There's a touch of cherry sweetness on the close." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is gorgeous. Dark red cherries, plums, spices, leather and tobacco wrap around the palate as this dense, powerful wine starts to open up. Expressive aromatics are woven throughout, giving the 2007 a measure of polish and sophistication that is not always present in this wine when it is young. Finessed, suave tannins reinforce an impression of elegance. The 2007 can be enjoyed with minimum cellaring, but it will also age gracefully for many years. Readers who want to try the 2007 today should give the wine plenty of air, as the more refined qualities only emerge over time. When tasted next to the 2006, the 2007 shows redder tonalities of fruit and less sheer muscle. Hints of tobacco, crushed flowers and spices wrap around the sensual finish." Robert Parker

"What beautiful clear fruit here, with plums and spices and hints of flowers. Class. Full-bodied and luscious, this Brunello fills your mouth, with polished velvety tannins and gorgeous fruit. So wonderful and gorgeous. Irresistible." 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

"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

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)

"An impressively structured wine. Aromas of blueberries and blackberries with hints of violets. Full body, with velvety and rich tannins. Very tannic and powerful yet the tannins are polished and pretty. Layers of everything here. Give this another three to four years before opening." James Suckling

"Here's an unforgettable wine that absolutely makes the case for 2007 being one of the best vintages of late in Montalcino. The wine is broad and polished with masculine tones of dark fruit, leather and tobacco. These aromas evolve so quickly and with such pulsing intensity, the wine comes alive suddenly. There are dusty mineral shadings at the back with tightly textured tannins. Hold 10 more years." Wine Enthusiast (cellar selection 2013)

"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano is anothersuper-finessed wine. Subtle floral notes meld into expressive redberries in a sumptuous Brunello that captures the essence of thevintage. The style is rich and deeply textured, but the 2007, asoutstanding as it is, needs at least a few more years in bottle. Onceagain, finesse rules the day." Robert Parker

Text folgt. (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

"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

"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)

"Here is a big wine with lofty ambitions and an impactful presentation. The Valdicava 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano hits all the right buttons. The wine shows a profound sense of elegance and poise with subtle berry notes that blend into spice, licorice and tar. Those bright and lively aromatic components fold gracefully within the wine's tight texture, its sheer power and the silky nature of the tannins. This wine promises a long and steady aging future ahead." Robert Parker

"A pure, focused style, with a beam of black cherry anchoring the leather, mineral, hibiscus tea and earth flavors. Well-structured, young and fresh, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit, mineral and woodsy details." Wine Spectator

"A wine with superb finesse and depth. So subtle and understated yet powerful and long. The tannin intensity is amazing. It just builds like a massive wave. Superb. Give this time in the bottle. The length is endless." James Suckling