La Valentina Spelt Montepulciano Riserva 2016 

Sale $21.99 

Grab 6 or more  – pay $19.99

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93 pts James Suckling / 91 pts Vinous / 91 pts Jeb Dunnuck  

Founded in 1990, Fattoria La Valentina is located in the tiny village of Spoltore in the Pescara hills of Abruzzo. The elevation of the estate's well situated south-facing hillside vineyards, combined with their close proximity to the Adriatic sea, is key to the quality of these wines. The old vines benefit from warm daytime temperatures and good cool nights, even at the peak of the hot summer months. The winery practices organic farming, and only uses electricity produced exclusively from systems of renewable sources, without the use of any fossil fuel and any gas carbon emission into the atmosphere. All of their wines are certified pesticide free. They don't mess with what nature gives them, and thankfully that is a bounty of top notch old vine Montepulciano fruit at a great price!

This Spelt Montepulciano Riserva comes from nearly 30 year old vines. Fermentation and maceration takes place in stainless, the malolactic conversation and ageing takes place in large oak barriques (a mix of old and new), then an extra year of bottle ageing prior to release to soften the tannins. The resulting wine is rocking red with plenty of oomph, that’s ready to roll right now and has the structure to age for another decade or more. Wonderfully aromatic as soon as you pop the cork, with abundant notes of wild roses, violets, red currants, wild strawberries, graphite and licorice. Lush and full-fruited on the palate, more juicy red berries coat your tongue with layers of flavourful goodness, and there’s plenty of density and persistence too. Yet as voluptuous as this wine, there’s still a great sense of refinement as well, round tannins and a long dry savoury finish that’s laced with stony minerals. 

“Moderately saturated ruby. Ink, smoke, plum and red berries dominate the inviting nose. Then youthfully chewy but fine-grained, boasting long, clean, savory flavors that bring the aromas to mind. This strapping Montepulciano is relatively light on its feet." Vinous

"Offers terrific chocolaty, darker berry fruits, spice, new leather, and dried herb-like aromas and flavors. These all carry to a medium-bodied red that has good acidity, some building tannins that stay nicely tucked behind the fruit, and a good finish." JD


Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Thursday, in Hillsborough.