Wine Advisor
Valentini, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2013
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
The Valentini 2013 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo is immediately crystalline and pure in appearance, although the wine's bouquet opens very slowly, keeping you in nail-biting suspense the entire time. Will it, or won't it? With an extra dose of patience and swirling, this beautiful Trebbiano d'Abruzzo opens a floodgate of aromas, spanning from dried nectarine and passion fruit to powdery ash and curry leaf. All at once, these aromas converge onto the senses with intensity and inebriating beauty. This vintage is radically different in terms of mouthfeel next to the 2014 edition. You are made instantly aware of the dense textural fiber of the wine that is stitched tightly together with a vein of crisp acidity. This bottle goes to the back of your cellar and expect it to get even better in time.
Reviewed by: Ian D'Agata
Vivid pale yellow. Mesmerizingly pure aromas of lemon, peach, minerals, jasmine and menthol; this is almost Riesling-like.Then magically combines creamy-sweet and fine-grained elements providing both backbone and lift to its bracing pink grapefruit, lemon, lime and mineral flavors. Gradually expands on the brilliantly pure, utterly seamless finish, that showcases a lovely light touch and tension. This is one of the three or four best Italian dry white wines I remember tasting in the last five years, and is just about as good as Valentini’s own 2010 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, another truly memorable wine. The plus sign next to my score indicates I fully expect this wine to reach 97-98 points in a few years. Even then, I might be erring on the side of conservativism. Time will tell. Bravissimi!
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.
