Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni 92
The 2008 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo has begun to fill out nicely since I first reviewed it last year. The aromas and flavors wrap around the palate all the way through to the generous finish. Though gorgeous today, the 2008 needs at least a few more years for the characteristic Valentini elegance and depth to develop. Readers who open the wine now should give it plenty of air to allow for some small imperfections in the bouquet to blow off.
Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028
Vinous 88+
(12.5% alcohol): Green-tinged straw-yellow. Lemon, tangerine and bergamot on the classic nose. Pure and taut in the mouth, with tightly coiled flavors of lime, minerals and herbs delivered in a straightforward, slightly austere manner. Finishes persistent but a little simple. As closed as this is, I think there’s a lot of wine here for aging, but though clean and fresh, it currently lacks flesh and complexity. Despite this vintage being plagued by poor weather conditions toward the end of the growing season (there were eight thunderstorms in the area during the latter half of the summer), this is an extremely successful wine for the year. The grapes were harvested on September 4.
Wine Advocate 92
The 2008 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo has begun to fill out nicely since I first reviewed it last year. The aromas and flavors wrap around the palate all the way through to the generous finish. Though gorgeous today, the 2008 needs at least a few more years for the characteristic Valentini elegance and depth to develop. Readers who open the wine now should give it plenty of air to allow for some small imperfections in the bouquet to blow off. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028. Valentini is one of Italy’s cult producers, known only to a handful of loyal fans. This year I was only able to taste one new release, the 2006 Montepulciano, the first new vintage since 2002. It is a hugely promising wine, but one that is likely to test the patience of those lucky enough to find it. Importer: Domenico Valentino, New York, NY; tel. ( 212) 679-0822
Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028
