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.

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

Valentini Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Tasting at Wine Watch
Friday, April 12, 2013
7:00 PM

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.

2009 Valentini Trebbiano D'Abruzzi

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, tremendouls richess 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.  Last year 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