Wine Advisor
Valdicava, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2017
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
The Valdicava 2017 Brunello di Montalcino shows a soft level of vintage ripeness that translates into dried strawberry or cooked cherry. These nuances are delicate and fine, however, and they are mitigated by the wine's acidity and the general clarity of the bouquet. Compared to past vintages, this 2017 is more accessible, but Valdicava has never been short on elegance or pedigree. Even that accessibility I mention is relative, because these wines have an excellent track record for longevity despite vintage variation.
Reviewed by: Eric Guido
The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is a perfect example of how unique this vintage really is. This is remarkably pretty and inviting with a brilliant display of sugar-dusted cherries, dried strawberries and crushed lavender candies. Its medium-bodied framework carries silky textures across the palate in an expression that is both delicate yet potent, savory yet sweet, and with outstanding purity of fruit. Rounded tannins linger, creating a lightly structured feel, as rosy inner florals combine with sour citrus and notes of licorice that linger incredibly long. This is unlike any vintage of Valdicava that I’ve ever tasted, and yet I can’t help but come back to the glass over and over again. Only 800 cases of the 2017 Brunello were produced, which is mostly fruit from Madonna del Piano and Montosoli. Don’t miss it.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Intense aromas of flowers and dark cherries. Perfumed and bright for the vintage. Full-bodied and firm with chewy yet polished tannins and a succulent and fruity finish that is in line and framed. Give it two or three years to soften. Try after 2023.
About the Producer
Valdicava is located in the town of Montalcino in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is a boutique winery producing top Brunello wines. In 1953, Martini Bramante bought the land on which the Wadi Cava winery now stands, north of the town of Montalcino. At first, he just planted grapes and sold them to Biondi Santi winery. It was not until 1968 that he launched his own wine for the first time. Later, Vincenzo Abbruzzese, Martini's grandson, took over the Wadi Cava winery. Today, the winery has entered a golden age of development under the leadership of Vincenzo. Wadi Kava Winery is located at 43 degrees north latitude, influenced by the surrounding ocean and mountains, the local climate is relatively mild, and the rainfall is moderate throughout the year. In addition, the cool breeze brought by the nearby mountains and forests also properly adjusted the local temperature. The winery occupies a total of 333 acres, including 67 acres of vineyards. The winery's staff take good care of the vineyards, but do not provide too much nutrients and water to the vines. This is to promote the vines to take root deep in the soil, thus making the resulting grapes more flavorful and expressive. local terroir. The vineyard is divided into 9 plots. During the grape ripening season, the grapes from different plots will be mined and harvested, and placed in different oak barrels to be broken and fermented, and then Vincenzo will brew according to the desired wine. The style of the wine is adjusted. The blended wine is then aged in Slovenian oak barrels. Vincenzo combines traditional and modern Brunello winemaking techniques to produce wines that are both Brunello and Wadi Cava's own. The annual output of Vadikawa winery is about 6,000 cases, and only 3 wines are produced, namely Valdicava Rosso di Montalcino, Valdicava Rosso di Montalcino, Valdicava Brunello. (Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino) and Valdicava Brunello Riserva Madonna del Piano. Among them, the Wadi Cava Brunello Reserve dry red wine is only made in excellent years, and the output is usually only 800 cases. Both the 2006 and 2015 vintages received full marks from renowned wine critic James Suckling. The 2001 wine was awarded full marks by both James and Wine Spectator.
