La Valentina - Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Bellovedere Riserva 2015

Bellovedere wordt alleen geproduceerd in de jaren met geweldige weersomstandigheden en volledig volwassen druiven. De druiven worden in de tweede helft van oktober geoogst op fenolische rijpheid, met een goede suiker-zuurbalans. Fermentatie in conische vaten van Slavonisch eiken gedurende 30 dagen. Malolactische conversie en veroudering deel in barriques, deel in tonneaux en deel in dezelfde vaten waar de fermentatie plaatsvond, gedurende 18 maanden. Gebotteld, in de juiste fase van de maan, ongefilterd en ongedefinieerd, een jaar voor de introductie op de markt.

James Suckling : 94

 ' This is a captivating Montepulciano d’Abruzzo with freshly picked blackcurrants, bright elderberries, citrus, bark, dried nutmeg and tea leaves. Medium to full body, racy but structured tannins, linear acidity and a gliding, polished finish. Drink from 2021. '

James Suckling

Vinous : 92

' Very deep ruby. Plum, smoke, herbs, camphor and glazed roast suckling pig on the captivating nose. Big on entry – huge, in fact – then chunky, with youthfully chewy but noble tannins providing support to ripe flavors similar to the aromas. La Valentina tends to make very creamy, huge, mouth-filling red wines (often excessively so) that are at their best when they also manage to be light on their feet, as does this impressive effort. '

Ian D'Agata

Robert Parker : 93

' This wine is only made in the best years when the Montepulciano grapes, harvested at the end of October, reach satisfactory ripeness. Then, the La Valentina 2015 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva Bellovedere (with a mere 6,000 bottles produced) sees 18 months of oak aging, producing a balanced and fruit-forward expression. The wine shows the kind of soft ripeness and exuberance that is characteristic of this warm and sunny vintage. Celebrate it with a braised lamb. '

Monica Larner