Structure
Critic scores
No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.
In the glass
Aroma: cherry, dried plum, wild berries, bitter almond, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, tobacco, liquorice, cocoa, leather
Palate: red fruit, balsamic herbs, cocoa, coffee
Pure Montepulciano built for decades in bottle. A 1985 opened in 2026 showed a deep orange-tinged red, cherry and dried plum over almond, spice, tobacco, liquorice and cocoa, with evolved acidity and smooth, polished tannins.
What it pairs with
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Arrosticini di pecora
Abruzzo's skewered mutton meets the wine's savoury spice without overwhelming its evolved tannins. -
Agnello cace e ove
Lamb bound with egg and pecorino finds a match in the wine's leather and cocoa register. -
Aged Canestrato di Castel del Monte
Long-aged sheep's cheese answers the tertiary tobacco and coffee tones.
Facts
- Producer
- Valentini · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Montepulciano (100%)
- Classification
- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC
- Oak
- Matured in wood, then held in glass before release
Frequently asked about Valentini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
How long does Valentini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo age?
A 1985 bottle tasted in 2026 by Luciano Pignataro was still fresh, with no sign of oxidation and evolved but present acidity. He judged its peak still some way off.
What does Valentini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo taste like?
Deep red with orange tints when mature, opening on cherry, dried plum and wild berries, then bitter almond, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, tobacco, liquorice, cocoa and leather. The palate is full, savoury and balsamic with smooth, polished tannins.
What grape is it made from?
Montepulciano, on its own. The 1985 was matured in wood and then held five years in glass before release.