The recently retired bombastic wine critic, Robert Parker, cited Valdicava among his top 4 Brunello producers ever. Since receiving a perfect 100 point score for the single-vineyard Madonna del Piano 2001, the winery has enjoyed full cult-status.

This small estate of only 28 hectares is situated in the Valdicava valley in Montosoli, just 3 miles north of the town of Montalcino. The only cultivar here is Sangiovese, divided into just 9 vineyard areas, of which, only the top four premium vineyards go into producing the Brunello. Poggio, Pievecchina, Pratea, and Sferracavallo are among the coolest areas within the DOCG, thus breeding wines with elegance, longevity and quiet intensity.

First produced in 1968, Valdicava has always had one eye on tradition whilst giving a wink to modernity. This Brunello is matured for a minimum of 48 months, with 24 of those aged in oak barrels. Here in Tuscany, the traditional vessel is the large oak ‘Botti’. In addition to the Botti, smaller barrels (known as Barriques in France) are also used. Both vessels are made from the tighter grained Slavonian oak, especially favoured for maturation over long periods of time, gently imparting flavour and maintaining a healthy structure in the finished wine.

This 2012 is exceptional. Displaying plenty of ripe red fruits, smoked meats, earth, suede and leather with firm, silky tannins, elegant structure, and intense complexity. This is a serious wine that rightly lives up to its haloed status.