Valentini Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Tasting at Wine Watch

Life is too short, and I'm Italian. I'd much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0. Sophia Bush

Life is too short not to have tasted the wines of Edwardo Valentini! 

Even most knowledgeable Italian wine lovers have never heard of this producer from Abruzzo but when you only make wine ½ of the time, that makes it infinitely harder to find.  I can’t think of another producer that only made wine in 50% of years in the decade of the 1980’s.  Edwardo Valentini is one of the legends of Italian Viticulture and his wines are an epiphany, especially for this region.

Valentini died in 2006 as one of the legends of the Italian wine world. Through the course of the decade of the 1980’s Valentini only produced five vintages making him one of the most selective winemakers in the world. This reclusive winemaker never traveled to the U.S. to promote his wine, nor did he do much promoting in Italy. His wines speak for themselves transcending Montepulciano and Trebbiano to new heights.

First we had a dazzling display of the world's greatest Trebbiano.  I remember the 1984 vintage that I bought on closeout over 10 years ago now.  Half of the bottles were off but the ones that were good reminded me of the finest white burgundy, they were Le Montrachet like in richness and complexity.

Join us as we experience these epic wines along with a few small course prepared by Wine Watch Caterings Toni Lampasone.  The fee for this tasting/dinner is $175 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Valentini Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Tasting at Wine WatchFriday, April 18, 20147:00 PM

2009 Valentini Trebbiano D'Abruzzi

Valentini’s Trebbiano is unique as it is believed to be made from a clone of the grape which is exclusive to Valentini.  I would have to agree as the character of his Trebbiano is the most unique that I have tasted bearing virtually no resemblance to some of the more common offerings from this region. Valentini believed that the Trebbiano varietal brought out the most profound character of the Abruzzo's terroir.

Valentini's 2009 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo combines the cerebral, hedonistic and luxurious. It offers up floral notes, honey, chalk and citrus. It's a rich, powerful wine, but moves across the palate nimbly.

2007 Valentini Trebbiano D'Abruzzi

(94 Points) The 2007 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is stunning in this vintage. With age, Valentini’s Trebbiano often acquires distinctly Burgundian overtones, but in the 2007, those qualities are evident even at this early stage. White peaches, almonds and flowers all come to life in a textured, voluptuous, totally sexy wine loaded with class and personality. I can’t wait to see how the 2007 ages, but the truth is that this is the kind of wine that is likely to be extremely rewarding and just plain delicious throughout its entire life. The slight aromatic imperfections that sometimes are present in young Valentini Trebbiano are nowhere to be found. Simply put, this is a dazzling showing. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022.

These are two drop-dead gorgeous wines from Valentini, one of Italy’s most iconic producers. Over the years, the wines have proven to age exceptionally well, so I urge readers to be patient with these new releases!  Wine Advocate #205, Feb 2013

1996 Valentini Trebbiano D'Abruzzi

This would be considered to be a very old wine for any other producer but Valentini's whites age almost as gracefully as his reds.  His old wines defy description and remind me most of a grand cru white burgundy, tremendous richness and a very long complex layered finish.

2006 Valentini Montepulciano D'Abruzzi

(94 Points) The estate's 2006 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is gorgeous. Sweet floral notes lead to a burst of dark red fruit as this energetic Montepulciano shows off its class. Smoke, ash, tar, licorice and a host of other aromas and flavors develop in the glass, adding further layers of depth and complexity. This is a decidedly muscular, intense wine that will require patience. As always, it is a touch rustic in its youth, but Valentini's wines have a way of acquiring elegance in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026.

Valentini is one of Italy's cult producers, known only to a handful of loyal fans. This year I was only able to taste one new release, the 2006 Montepulciano, the first new vintage since 2002. It is a hugely promising wine, but one that is likely to test the patience of those lucky enough to find it.  Wine Advocate #195, Jun 2011

2002 Valentini Montepulciano D'Abruzzi

(92 Points) The 2002 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has developed far more positively than I envisioned when I first tasted it two years ago. In fact, I wonder if that bottle was representative. Today the 2002 impresses for its considerable power and length. This is a fat, rich Montepulciano with quite a bit of fruit. Some of the more gamy qualities of the grape are also present, adding to a note of rusticity. The sheer freshness and vibrancy of the fruit suggests many years of fine drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.

Valentini is one of Italy’s most iconic producers. Tiny production, fabulous reputation and limited distribution means the wines are very well known and fiercely sought by cognoscenti but otherwise virtually unknown, at least in this country. Fortunately, it looks like that is about to change now that the estate has taken on new US representation. Valentini makes three wines, all along staunchly traditional lines. The Trebbiano is fascinating for its ageability and the way it acquires an oiliness over time that recalls white Burgundy. The Cerasuolo, a rose, needs to be drunk young, but it is one of the finest roses in all of Italy. Valentini’s Montepulciano is another magnificent wine that has a track record of aging beautifully for 25 years or more after the vintage. Production is just 4,000 bottles per year and the wine is expensive, but it is also incredibly unique. Valentini’s wines can sometimes be awkward when they are first released. In many ways these wines remind me of the Barolos of Giuseppe Mascarello in that they can be a touch disjointed, sometimes even rustic, when young, but then mature spectacularly well with many years in bottle. Proprietor Francesco Paolo Valentini releases his wines only when he is happy with the vintage, which explains the lack of 2006 and 2007 Trebbiano. Readers who can find these wines and have the patience to cellar them (except the Cerasuolo) are in for a treat.  Wine Advocate #189, Jun 2010

2000 Valentini Montepulciano D'Abruzzi

This was a more forward and fleshy vintage for Valentini and although it is drinking nicely today it could be cellared for another decade or more in your cellar.  I look forward to tasting this wine alongside the 1988 which was a blockbuster the last time we served it.

1995 Valentini Montepulciano D'Abruzzi

This is not considered to be among the top vintage from Valentini but this is where producers like Valentini really shine, remember he does not make the wine every year and if it was made there is something special in the bottle. 

1988 Valentini Montepulciano D'Abruzzi

This is one of the greatest old vintages of this wine that I have tasted. Two years we showed the 1975 and the bottle had about 5 cm of ullage- the wine was spectacular the wine of the night on most tasters scorecard. 

Menu

Pappardelle Pasta with short ribs and wild mushroom tarragon cream sauce

Mole glazed Crispy Pork Belly with au gratin stuffed Vidalia onion

The fee for this tasting/dinner is $175 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

What I Drank Yesterday:  What I Drank Yesterday:  Neal Rosenthal wines

I am always happy to see our friends from Neal Rosenthal and this was an impressive showing of Tuscan wines from a few small producers.  You can always count on getting a typical example of that type or style of wine when you open a bottle with the Rosenthal name on it.

2010 Villa St. Anna Chianti Colli Senesi Price: $24.50

This is a small family owned property from Neal Rosenthal, pretty red cherry fruit, wild strawberry, notes.  Fresh zesty red berry fruit with notes of raw steak and some fresh earth.  A very light and refreshing red with a nice hand of spice and earth on the finish.  Finish 35+  Canaiolo and 10% other??             Very Good +

2011 Villa St. Anna Rosso Di Montepulciano       Price: $26.25

Red cherry berry fruit with nice concentration, a light herb and earth component, sage and old leather saddle, 90% Sangiovese 10% other.  A lean style of Rosso with a light metallic nuance to the finish, a very rustic wine with red plum and cherry fruit and a earthy finish, herbs and sage.  Finish 30+           Very Good 

2009 Villa St. Anna Vino Nobile de Montepulciano Price: $40.25

A small ten hectare estate vineyards that is, this property is run by three women and this wine is 85% Prunolo Gentile, and the remainder Mamolo and Canaiolo.  The bouquet here is very ripe and seductive with red licorice spice, cherry and wild strawberry jam like fruit with bell pepper notes very well endowed bouquet of aromas.  A nicely built wine with a nice hand of herbs and spice through the finish.  Finish 45+   Excellent +         

2010 La Torre La Torre IGT Tuscany           Price: $32.75

This wine is a unique blend that was popular back in the day when the Spaniard brought Alicante Bouchet to this region, the other grape is Ciliegiolo (little Cherry) with the bulk of the wine Sangiovese.  Dark currant and cassis, black plum like fruit, fresh plowed earth a bit of a barnyard game like quality dried meats, a big and juicy wine on the tongue but has nice balance some tannins and that dried meat nuance through the finish, hints of black licorice spice.  Finish 40+       Excellent                

2007 La Torre Brunello Di Montalcino     Price: $66.50

This estate started as 5 hectares in La Sesta in the southern part of Montalcino, one of the higher elevations of the region.  They added a few acres since but it is still a small property at 7.5 hectares.  A very pretty nose incense spice and rose petal notes to the red berry fruit on the nose, forward and seductive.   Light red berry fruit with smooth silky tannins this 2007 vintage has lovely balance and is very appealing right now, a nice hand of spice and dried floral notes through the finish.  Finish 40+            Excellent +         

2010 Podere Le Boncie Chianti Classico Le Trame Price: $49.50

This is a second generation grower here, run by the daughter, Sangiovese with Canaolo and Colorino  has a very distinct earthy nuance to the bouquet black truffles, dried meats, fresh plowed earth and dark cherry  and plum fruit, licorice spice.  A good amount of cigar box spice, black earth and a very rustic style with dried meats and black earth, long finish with lovely freshness and a nice hand of dried herbs and meats on the finish, a bit dry at the end, this wine needs a little time.  Finish 45+            Excellent +         

2010 Le Pergole Torte Radda in Chianti  Price: $132.75

From the original plot planted in 1962 on North facing vineyards, this does see some French oak barrique and some unique art Picasso-esque.  A new world style wine with a nice touch of toasty oak spice, red berry fruit with dried floral notes, very concentrated and rich and nuanced bouquet.  Fine tannins here with excellent structure and depth with a solid core of red berry fruit, still tightly wound with layers of spice, and fresh earth, a very complex and layered finish.  Finish 50+                Most Excellent