2013 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino

"There is something almost mystical about the Brunello di Montalcino from the wonderful estate of Valdicava. The mystique must emanate from the sublime vineyards on the north side of Montalcino, which produce arguably the most exquisite grapes. And, of course, the guru- like dedication of the owner Vincenzo Abbruzzese has also contributed to the craft of these lovely Tuscan sangiovese." ~James Suckling

"Extreme attention during harvest, native yeasts, controlled temperature, maniacal cleanliness and a lot of experience give them the opportunity to produce a unique Brunello with a special character impossible to replicate elsewhere." ~Wine Spectator.

Twelve years. That’s how long this bottle has been waiting for you. The 2013 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino is no longer the tightly wound, youthful Brunello that first stunned critics upon release. Today, it’s blossoming—layered, expressive, and utterly seductive. You’re catching it at the exact moment Brunello lovers dream about: mature enough to reveal its depth, yet vibrant enough to thrill for decades to come.

The 2013 vintage itself is extraordinary—Wine Advocate gave it 97 points and called it “extraordinary.” That means you’re not only holding a bottle from one of Tuscany’s most prestigious estates, but from one of the greatest vintages in living memory.

At the helm is Vincenzo Abbruzzese, a man obsessed with detail and quality. Since taking over in 1987, he’s turned Valdicava into one of Italy’s most admired Brunello estates. With the guidance of famed oenologist Attilio Pagli—a name synonymous with greatness in Tuscany—Valdicava’s wines have become a benchmark for power, elegance, and longevity.

The estate itself is almost mythical. Nineteen hectares on the slopes of Montosoli, planted exclusively to Sangiovese Grosso, farmed with precision and care. Here, the genius loci—the spirit of the place—translates into wines that are darker, deeper, and more complex than anywhere else in Tuscany. This is the secret insiders know: Valdicava is the standard-bearer of modern Brunello.

What makes it so special? Scarcity, for one—production is deliberately small. Precision, for another—each vine is carefully selected, yields are kept tiny, and every step of vinification is about respecting terroir. Most of all, it’s about the sheer thrill: a Brunello that combines richness with restraint, muscle with elegance, power with grace.

For collectors, this is a trophy. For drinkers, it’s pure hedonism. For anyone lucky enough to open a bottle, it’s one of the defining wine experiences of Tuscany.

Aging: 3 years in large Slavonian oak barrels and at least 6 months in the bottle.