Wine Advisor
Valentini, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 1999
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Ian D'Agata
Bright straw-yellow. Knockout complex aromas of lemon, pear, almond, white flowers and gunflint. Wonderfully rich and generous on the palate, boasting ripe apricot, pine cone, oatmeal and vanilla flavors. Starts off smooth and round, then the steely minerality returns on the back end, which offers complex notes of crushed stone and licorice. This vintage is seldom talked about but it's currently showing extremely well, and the wine has the balance to last and improve for another decade. The grapes were harvested on October 1.
About the Producer
The history of the Valentini winery dates back to 1600, when this noble family owned the estate of the same name in the province of Pescara, producing wine, oil, and wheat. Over the centuries, various family members engaged in different activities, but it was in the early 20th century that Edoardo took over management of the estate. He shifted the family's focus to producing top-quality wines, particularly Trebbiano and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, which continue to be emblematic of the Valentini legacy. Today, the winery is led by Edoardo's son, Francesco Paolo, who describes himself as a “wine artisan.” He has faithfully continued his father’s traditions, striving to produce the same exceptional wines with the same enthusiasm and dedication he had from the very beginning. Francesco Paolo's approach is rooted in artisanal methods, emphasizing respect for nature and allowing the true character of the fruit to shine through. This philosophy includes not filtering the wines, using only the natural yeasts from the skins, and avoiding temperature control in the cellar. His commitment to these practices has helped maintain the winery's historic reputation and quality.
