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Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2005
Ratings on Delectable
Bob McDonald 
Love this wine - drinking at its peak. Sadly my last bottle of the 2005. More savoury than fruit or floral aromas although some fading blue berry in evidence as well as smoky embers also mushroom. Earthy iron flavours with very fine sandy tannins. A fantastic expression of Sangiovese - medium plus bodied.
Love this wine - drinking at its peak. Sadly my last bottle of the 2005. More savoury than fruit or floral aromas although some fading blue berry in evidence as well as smoky embers also mushroom. Earthy iron flavours with very fine sandy tannins. A fantastic expression of Sangiovese - medium plus bodied.
9.4
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Updating notes from 29 weeks ago. On the nose, macerated & baked; blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, plum, strawberries with raspberries painting the background. Mocha, vanilla, dark chocolate, fruit liqueur notes, dark rich soil, limestone minerals, fresh & decayed red florals with bright fresh field of blue & red floral florals with violets. The palate is elegant, rich and full. The tannins nicely softened & resolved. 60-65% resolved. There is nice; soften structure, very good balance with excellent length. The fruits are; ruby ripe blackberries, sweet & sour dark cherries, blue fruit mix, black raspberries, plum, creamy raspberries and hint of strawberries. The red florals & violets really shine through on the palate as well. Sweet tarry notes, dark fruit liqueur, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, some black licorice, limestone minerals, iron, tarry notes, smoke, used leather, cigar with ash, touch of dry stems, pinch of herbaceousness, dark spices, dry clay, loamy dry top soil, dry crushed rock powder, just hint of white pepper, blue & dark red florals, lavender with violets, good round acidity and a long, elegant, balanced finish that lasts minutes. Better with a good meat sauce pasta than pizza. Slightly overpowered our pizza tonight. But, still delicious. Photos of; the backside of Valdicava, one of their vineyards and Valdicava winery owner Vincenzo Abbruzzese. Brunello’s take years to come around and why Italians hold them extra year(s) over other varietals/regions in bottle. It’s ten years before good Brunello producers wines are truly enjoyable; which is why I still have so many in hibernation. Drink through 2025.
Updating notes from 29 weeks ago. On the nose, macerated & baked; blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, plum, strawberries with raspberries painting the background. Mocha, vanilla, dark chocolate, fruit liqueur notes, dark rich soil, limestone minerals, fresh & decayed red florals with bright fresh field of blue & red floral florals with violets. The palate is elegant, rich and full. The tannins nicely softened & resolved. 60-65% resolved. There is nice; soften structure, very good balance with excellent length. The fruits are; ruby ripe blackberries, sweet & sour dark cherries, blue fruit mix, black raspberries, plum, creamy raspberries and hint of strawberries. The red florals & violets really shine through on the palate as well. Sweet tarry notes, dark fruit liqueur, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, some black licorice, limestone minerals, iron, tarry notes, smoke, used leather, cigar with ash, touch of dry stems, pinch of herbaceousness, dark spices, dry clay, loamy dry top soil, dry crushed rock powder, just hint of white pepper, blue & dark red florals, lavender with violets, good round acidity and a long, elegant, balanced finish that lasts minutes. Better with a good meat sauce pasta than pizza. Slightly overpowered our pizza tonight. But, still delicious. Photos of; the backside of Valdicava, one of their vineyards and Valdicava winery owner Vincenzo Abbruzzese. Brunello’s take years to come around and why Italians hold them extra year(s) over other varietals/regions in bottle. It’s ten years before good Brunello producers wines are truly enjoyable; which is why I still have so many in hibernation. Drink through 2025.
9.3Bob McDonald
Earthy mineral cherry smokey notes. Slight hints of violets and Tar. Beautifully balanced with M- silky tannins. In a wonderful place right now. After an hour this wine had an intoxicating beautiful aroma. Good Brunello is a thing of beauty!
Earthy mineral cherry smokey notes. Slight hints of violets and Tar. Beautifully balanced with M- silky tannins. In a wonderful place right now. After an hour this wine had an intoxicating beautiful aroma. Good Brunello is a thing of beauty!
9.6David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
On the nose, macerated, gummy & baked; blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, plum, strawberries with raspberries painting the background. Mocha, vanilla, dark chocolate, fruit liqueur notes, dark rich soil, limestone minerals, fresh & decayed red florals with bright fresh field of violets. The palate is elegant, rich and full. The tannins nicely softened & resolved. 60-65% resolved. There is nice; soften structure, very good balance with excellent length. The fruits are; ruby ripe blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruit mix, black raspberries, plum, creamy raspberries and hint of strawberries. The red florals & violets really shine through on the palate as well. Sweet tarry notes, dark fruit liqueur, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, some black licorice, limestone minerals, smoke, used leather, touch of dry stems, pinch of herbaceousness, loamy dry top soil, dry crushed rock powder, just hint of white pepper, good round acidity and a long, elegant, balanced finish that lasts minutes. Photos of; the backside of Valdicava, one of their vineyards and Valdicava winery owner Vincenzo Abbruzzese. Brunello’s take years to come around and why Italians hold them extra year(s) over other varietals/regions in bottle. It’s ten years before good Brunello producers wines are truly enjoyable; which is why I still have so many in hibernation. Drink through 2025.
On the nose, macerated, gummy & baked; blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, plum, strawberries with raspberries painting the background. Mocha, vanilla, dark chocolate, fruit liqueur notes, dark rich soil, limestone minerals, fresh & decayed red florals with bright fresh field of violets. The palate is elegant, rich and full. The tannins nicely softened & resolved. 60-65% resolved. There is nice; soften structure, very good balance with excellent length. The fruits are; ruby ripe blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruit mix, black raspberries, plum, creamy raspberries and hint of strawberries. The red florals & violets really shine through on the palate as well. Sweet tarry notes, dark fruit liqueur, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, some black licorice, limestone minerals, smoke, used leather, touch of dry stems, pinch of herbaceousness, loamy dry top soil, dry crushed rock powder, just hint of white pepper, good round acidity and a long, elegant, balanced finish that lasts minutes. Photos of; the backside of Valdicava, one of their vineyards and Valdicava winery owner Vincenzo Abbruzzese. Brunello’s take years to come around and why Italians hold them extra year(s) over other varietals/regions in bottle. It’s ten years before good Brunello producers wines are truly enjoyable; which is why I still have so many in hibernation. Drink through 2025.
9.3Beau Carson
Not the best vintage, but drinking beautifully tight now. Fruit is still fresh, acid is still quite present, and tannins are integrated. Drink now if you have this.
Not the best vintage, but drinking beautifully tight now. Fruit is still fresh, acid is still quite present, and tannins are integrated. Drink now if you have this.
9.5George Tita
Open for business! Got younger with more air.
Open for business! Got younger with more air.
9.1
Matt DeMarco
Stunning!
Stunning!
9.9
Ben Sandstrom
Good in a weird vintage. Full spice, this makes me further understand why people spend the money they do on Brunello.. Which I've never been able to comprehend. Still, at $100+, I'd rather go Piemonte.
Good in a weird vintage. Full spice, this makes me further understand why people spend the money they do on Brunello.. Which I've never been able to comprehend. Still, at $100+, I'd rather go Piemonte.
8.9Alison Sponberg
So happy to find this gem for 30 euros (half bottle) at mangia pizzeria in Florence, Italy!
So happy to find this gem for 30 euros (half bottle) at mangia pizzeria in Florence, Italy!
9.3Theresa Emig
Tasted this at a wine tasting/pairing dinner. Waiting for an occasion worthy of opening this splurge (read expensive) wine.
Tasted this at a wine tasting/pairing dinner. Waiting for an occasion worthy of opening this splurge (read expensive) wine.
9.9
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- 401 N Great Neck Rd 118
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10 - 2 Saturday
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