Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2001

Professional Ratings

• 98 James Suckling
  Wow! This is amazing, a very sexy decadence to this. I am having a hard time believing it is wine. Tons of richness and excitement in this. Wow, again!
• 98 Wine Spectator
  Black hued, with intense aromas of crushed berries and licorice with hints of oak. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Superb. One of the best Brunellos I have had in a long time.
• 92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2001 Brunello di Montalcino was one of the most talked about wines of Montalcino when it was first released a few years ago. The black color the wine had in its youth has begun to recede, yet this remains a rich, almost Amarone-like expression of Sangiovese that achieves an incredible level of density and sheer concentration. According to Abbruzzese the early spring hail reduced yields dramatically, which accounts for the wine’s super-ripe style. I am not sure if yields alone can produce a wine that is this extreme, my guess is that decisions taken in the cellar had an influence as well. Nevertheless, the simple fact remains that this wine is a freak. There is no other wine in the estate’s history – before or after - that even remotely resembles the style of the 2001. This is an outstanding wine, but one that needs to be considered on its own terms. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021
• 91 Wine Enthusiast
  Inkjet black and super concentrated, the wine actually delivers fresh fruit and squeezed berry youthfulness. By the looks of it, you’d expect a massive, oaked, tannic beast, but instead are treated to a wine full of creamy coffee and velvety tobacco leaf flavors.