Wine Advisor
Valentini, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2020
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Bright straw color with lime peel, green apple and chalky mineral character and straw undertones. Bone dry on the palate, with zesty acidity, great weight and almost salty lemon flavors. A touch of almonds filigreed to the structure. Tangerine and ginger undertones. So flavorful, tangy and electric at the end. The Coche Dury of Italy. Drinkable now, but best from 2028.
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
This is always such an epic wine. A star of central Italy, the Valentini 2020 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo is quite young but promises even greater complexity as it continues its bottle evolution. The mouthfeel is inescapably rich and textured, with creamy sensations that wrap over the palate. The wine's tactile character is remarkable. On the nose, you get an abundance of orchard fruit, kumquat, honey and apple pie with the crust. All that beautiful flavor intensity is capped by elegant silkiness and a moderate 12.5% alcohol content.
Reviewed by: Eric Guido
More savory than sweet, the 2020 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo slowly opens with a rich blend of raw almonds and smoky crushed stone, giving way to dried nectarines and hints of sage. This seductress is ripe and succulent upon entry, yet with a salty, sultry core of minerality, blending sour lime with apricots and liquid stone. The 2020 ends with a lemony concentration and herbal thrust, tapering off saline and lightly structured yet incredibly fresh. The 2020 is simply spellbinding.
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.
