Valdicava

 

Why Buy: Perfection has arrived. The 2019 Madonna del Piano Riserva has claimed a 100-point score from James Suckling—making it just one of 8 Brunellos from the 2019 vintage that have taken home 100 points. As a fresh wave of Brunellos hits the market, this is one you absolutely don’t want to miss. And since we’re talking lofty numbers: that makes this the 5th 100-pointer for 'Madonna del Piano’ this century (and we’re excited to be able to offer it to you in a variety of formats). And let’s not overlook the 2020 Brunello (96 points), which showcases  why great estates transcend vintage variations, while the Rosso di Montalcino represents one of the category's finest values at under $43 a bottle.

The Pedigree: "A strong argument can be made that Valdicava is among the top three or four Brunello di Montalcino producers," Robert Parker once opined, and the performance of this landmark estate over the past two decades confirms what terroir, vision, patience, and talent can produce. Part of what makes these wines so remarkable is their slightly more modern approach to Brunello — fruit-forward and fresh, they offer immediate appeal while sacrificing nothing when it comes to structure and longevity.

What They're Saying: James Suckling bestowed a perfect 100-point score on the 2019 Madonna del Piano Riserva, praising its "breathtaking purity of fruit" with "such depth and presence." He went on to note its "refined and intense tannins that build in the finish," declaring the wine "rather endless and seamless." For the 2020 Brunello, he awarded 96 points, highlighting its "intoxicating fresh violets, almost vinous character and some earthy tones," along with "velvety tannins," "refreshing acidity," and an "intense and polished style."

Our Tasting Notes: The Madonna del Piano Riserva 2019 isn't merely exceptional — it's a meditation in a glass, displaying extraordinary balance between power and finesse. Its remarkable aromatic intensity gives way to a palate of concentrated dark fruits, subtle herbs, and that distinctive mineral core that defines great Brunello. The seamless transition from attack to finish reveals layers that unfold over hours, making this a wine to return to throughout an evening. The 2020 Brunello demonstrates why Valdicava consistently outperforms the vintage — even in a challenging year, it delivers remarkable depth and velvety presence. The 2023 Rosso di Montalcino offers remarkable complexity for its category, showing the same attention to detail and site-specific character that distinguishes its more prestigious siblings.

The Story: Though founded in 1953 by Bramante Abbruzzese, making it one of Montalcino's more established producers, Valdicava truly emerged onto the world stage when grandson Vincenzo took over in 1987. The estate, located in the north of Montalcino, is blessed by perfect diurnal temperature shifts, with warmth coming from the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea and cooling breezes from surrounding woods. This ideal climate, combined with soils of clay, sand, and marl, creates perfect conditions for Sangiovese to express its purest character. Abbruzzese ages his wines in botti made from natural Slavonian oak without toasting or charring of any kind, replacing them every 15 years to maintain pristine aging vessels. This meticulous attention to detail, from vineyard to bottle, explains why these wines have become cult objects among collectors worldwide.

What to Pair Them With: The Madonna del Piano Riserva deserves culinary companions that match its nobility — think: a classic bistecca alla fiorentina, or wild game or roasted mushroom dishes scented with wild herbs, the better to tease out the wine's earthy complexity. For the 2020 Brunello, mushroom-centric dishes like porcini risotto or truffle-infused pasta make ideal partners. The Rosso di Montalcino is an everyday wine, and will enhance all the Italian classics — a pappardelle, cheese-and-herbed filled ravioli, and Margherita pizza.

Our Guarantee: We always buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your bottles today!