Valentini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2017

Valentini’s Montepulciano stands tall among the pinnacle of Italian red wines, embodying the essence of its birthplace, Abruzzo. Few names in the world of wine can stir excitement quite like Valentini. Each bottle, each vintage, is a narrative in itself—alive, in constant evolution.

Revisiting a bottle after some time reveals a new story, rarely mirroring the initial experience yet consistently delivering excellence. Nestled in Loreto Aprutino, Abruzzo, the Valentini winery cultivates both Trebbiano and Montepulciano grapes, alongside crafting exceptional olive oil from the estate’s olive trees.

Embracing artisanal practices, the vineyards undergo manual harvesting, and natural vinification with selected yeasts. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Valentini emerges solely from the eponymous vineyard in outstanding vintages, cultivated in chemical-free vineyards. The process remains resolutely natural and artisanal—hand-picking the finest clusters, followed by gentle crushing and fermentation in large oak barrels without added yeast. Aging for approximately 12 months in large oak casks precedes a further 48 months minimum in bottle, with the wine gracing the market only when deemed ready by Francesco Valentini. In the glass, this wine unveils a deep ruby red, almost impenetrable. Its nose is a tapestry of complexity: notes of coffee, plum, chocolate, humus, and damp leaves entwine endlessly. On the palate, it strikes a masterful balance—full-bodied yet refreshingly vibrant. The finish lingers, marking it as a truly persistent wine, worthy of its place among the world’s great reds.