2019 Valdicava Offer – 100 and 97 Pts!

COLLECTORS’ FAVORITE!

“We’ve received our allocation of the epic 2019 Valdicava Brunellos! Valdicava ranks among Brunello's oldest and most important producers due to Vincenzo Abruzzese's skillful winemaking which has propelled the estate to cult status. He embraces elements from both traditional and modern practices, so the estate's wines maintain the structure and aromas associated with classic Brunello, while also displaying the elegance and harmony of contemporary approaches. Valdicava did not produce any Brunellos in 2018 to give their vineyard a chance to recover from a devastating frost in 2017. In 2019, they made their special ‘Montosoli’ cru (only the third vintage ever!) and this time, they are releasing it in 750ml and magnum bottles. Once again, the Montosoli is a 100 point wine (JamesSuckling.com) and Eric Guido of Vinous writes that it is ‘Possibly immortal… an epic wine in the making.’ The classic 97 point 2019 Valdicava Brunello, the winery's finest yet, is another triumph, and for those who love Valdicava wines, this is a must for the cellar. Eric Guido writes that the ‘house Brunello is just as exciting for me’ noting that ‘Valdicava has captured the radiance of the vintage.’ ” – Jim Knight, The Wine House

THE 2019 BRUNELLO VINTAGE

2019 was an epic vintage in Tuscany and finally, it's time for Brunello di Montalcino! We are thrilled to continue our offers of this 'magical' vintage, one that has phenomenal critic scores. It was 'a vintage of radiance and appeal,' offering 'an embarrassment of riches for collectors and fans of the appellation' writes Eric Guido of Vinous. The weather in Montalcino was a throwback to the 1990s, with a rainy spring followed by a hot and dry summer, allowing the grapes to reach perfect phenolic ripeness, leading to wines characterized by crunchy pure fruit, freshness, and balance, with excellent cellaring potential – exactly what a great Brunello di Montalcino should be! We continue to highlight our favorites over the coming weeks, and you can visit our website to see all the 2019 Brunellos we have on the way!

This wine is expected to arrive in Summer 2024

Join us this Thursday, March 21 for our in-store tasting of Avignonesi wines led by Matteo Giustiniani, CEO and Winemaker at Avignonesi, who will present 9 current releases. Avignonesi is the leading winery in the Montepulciano area of Tuscany and is renowned for its pure Sangiovese Vino Nobile, unique Vin Santo, as well as delicious and affordable bianco and rosso wines. Avignonesi is the largest biodynamic winery in Italy, producing authentic, unique wines that mirror the distinct identity of Montepulciano.

97 Points: “Aromatic with black cherries, oranges and cedar. Very perfumed. Medium to full body. Firm tannins. The wood is showing a bit now but will come through nicely. This is a structured and toned red.” – JamesSuckling.com (September 2023)

95 Points: “Just a baby today, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is darkly alluring with a youthfully coy bouquet that requires coaxing as dusty earth and dried flowers slowly take on hints of incense and black cherries. It flows easily across the palate, silky and refined with building tension as brisk acidity and minerals mingle with edgy tannins toward the close. The 2019 finishes dramatically long and structured with a pleasantly bitter tinge. A resonance of salted licorice and cedar lingers on and on. Valdicava has captured the radiance of the vintage. Drinking Window: 2026 – 2036.

PierFilippo Abbruzzese of Valdicava couldn’t be happier with 2019, describing it as ‘a dream for any farmer: perfect weather, perfect rains, perfect temperatures, incredibly wonderful wines… an October harvest where we could take the freedom of waiting for another couple of days for perfect maturation.’ As a result, the family has once again bottled their Montosoli as a single vineyard wine, this time in 750ml bottles and magnums. As fantastic as it is, the house Brunello is just as exciting for me. It’s a perfect mix of house style and vintage character, promising many years of positive maturation and pleasurable drinking. We can also look forward to a Madonna del Piano that will be released as a Riserva in 2025. Of note, Valdicava did not produce any Brunello from the 2018 vintage, only Rosso, as they wanted to give the vineyard a chance to recover from frost damage in 2017 that affected about 80% of their vines. This was an excellent decision considering the quality of these 2019s.” – Eric Guido, Vinous (November 2023)

95 Points: “After losing 80% of production to frost in 2017, Vincenzo Abbruzzese decided to forego making a Brunello in 2018, giving the vines time to restore their energy. Valdicava was rewarded in 2019 with both quality and quantity. Rather than racing out of the gate, this expresses methodically. Fresh berries are offset by dried florals, tea, tobacco and cedar. Perfumes of orange oil and rose build on the palate, bestowing brightness and a more youthful mien. Tannins are fine-grained yet firm, accentuated by steely acidity. Overall elegant in flow. Drinking Window: 2025 – 2037” – Michaela Morris, Decanter (November 2023)

100 Points: “The nose is so pure and subtle with a sophistication and ethereal notion to it. It just makes you sit back and ponder the world. Like sitting in a pasture of mountains. Medium to full body with ultra-fine tannins that are endless and glorious in every sense. It’s like being connected to a unique piece of the earth when you taste this. Just-ripe berries with dried flowers, shell fish shell, and subtle mushroom and bark. Lasts so long on the palate. Endless. Drinkable because it is perfectly balanced, but it will be better in three to six years and beyond.” – JamesSuckling.com (September 2023)

97 Points: “Possibly immortal, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli evolves slowly in the glass, at first dark and dusty with dried violets, cedar and clove. Patience rewards the taster as complex hints of spiced oranges emerge, followed by suggestions of lavender, chalk dust and wild strawberries. This floods the palate with textures of pure silk, weighty yet energetic, with a dense wave of tart wild berry fruits underscored by salty mineral tones and licorice. A core of brisk acidity maintains harmony throughout as a bitter tinge of boysenberry and cocoa settles in, framed by youthfully gripping tannins. The 2019 Vigna Montosoli is an unbridled beast in need of taming. This is an epic wine in the making. Drinking Window: 2027 – 2040” – Eric Guido, Vinous (November 2023)

97 Points: “After selling its significant holdings on the hill of Montosoli in the early 1970s, the Abbruzzese family was able to buy back 1.3 hectares in 2008. And, in 2015, after first seeking the blessing of Elizabeth Gnudi out of respect for Altesino’s historic Montosoli bottling, Valdicava came out with its cru bottling. Just the third release, the 2019 demonstrates intense ruby depths with a virile personality to match. Scents of oily herbs, iron, incense and game are penetrating, and mineral nuances repeat on the palate where bitter chocolate tones lie in wait. Full, velvety dark-skinned fruit is cinched in by crisp, vertical tannins and pierced by energetic acidity. As voluble as this is now, its structure demands time. Drinking Window: 2026 - 2039” – Michaela Morris, Decanter (November 2023)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: 10% CANCELLATION FEE APPLIES TO ALL ORDERS. NO ORDER IS CONFIRMED UNTIL ACKNOWLEDGED VIA CONFIRMATION EMAIL FROM THE WINE HOUSE UPDATING YOUR ORDER TO “PRE-ARRIVAL” STATUS. WE WILL SHIP ONLY TO STATES THAT ARE DEEMED LEGAL AT THE TIME OF SHIPMENT. *PRICES AND AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE. All payments for Futures (“Pre-Arrivals”) are due and payable in full at the time the order is placed (including sales tax, if applicable). Quantities are limited. If we cannot fill your order, your payment will be promptly refunded to you in full or we will attempt to find the same wine at market price, which will probably be at a higher price. Should any increases in Federal, State or Local taxes go into effect prior to delivery; the actual cost of such an increase will be added to the cost of the wine, payable on receipt of the wine. Thirty days after notification the arrival of your wine(s), if not picked up, they will be subject to a storage charge of $10 per case per month. It is your responsibility to notify the Wine House (310-479-3731, ext. 0, or wine@winehouse.com) of address and email changes. We are not responsible for unclaimed wine damaged by Acts of God 15 days (or more) after you have been notified of the arrival of your wine(s).