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La Valentina is a leading example of the modern renaissance of winemaking in Abruzzo. The region has a history as a source of inexpensive bulk wine production, but a new generation of winemakers have dedicated themselves to harnessing the excellent terroir to produce high quality rather than high quantity—and La Valentina is at the forefront of this movement.
Rather than turning to international grape varieties or varieties that are more at home in other regions, the Di Properzio brothers remain true to the traditional varieties associated with Abruzzo: Montepulciano and Trebbiano Abruzzese, along with a time-honored but almost forgotten variety, Pecorino. The shift in focus is not in the grapes but in the way they are grown and vinified.
It all starts with the land, and in addition to vineyards close to the winery, La Valentina has acquired several vineyard sites that are located at higher elevations in the foothills of the Apennines, near a national park in pristine conditions. In all their vineyards, the Di Properzios have made a strong commitment to sustainability—avoiding the use of artificial or chemical products, ensuring maximum biodiversity, and relying on minimal intervention in the land’s natural processes. To this end, all the estate vineyards have been certified organic since 2016.
La Valentina’s winemaking is managed by consulting enologist Luca D’Attoma, who joined the winery team in 1998. The winery’s philosophy is to intervene as little as possible in the natural wine growing processes, adhering to the concept that high-quality wine “has the mark of the vine on its grapes.” By ensuring that the land remains highly fertile and keeping the plants healthy, they are able to fight off parasites and disease on their own and express themselves fully and produce the healthiest possible grapes of the absolute highest quality. The emphasis on sustainability continues in the winery where they use electricity only from renewable sources and practicing water-saving procedures.
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LA VALENTINA TREBBIANO D’ABRUZZO DOC
The white entry in La Valentina’s Classica line is this Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, made from mostly Trebbiano Abruzzese grapes—a superior type of Trebbiano. |
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LOCATIONWINERY: Spoltore (Pescara province), Abruzzo VINEYARD: Pescara province, Abruzzo VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
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89
APRIL 2021
La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2018
 The 2018 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is incredibly pretty with its display of crushed violets, mint, wild strawberries and wet stone. It’s a soft and fleshy effort that keeps the energy high, as zesty acids usher in a pure display of red and blue fruits. Hints of tannin mix with sweet spices and minerals to create a pleasantly tactile feel, as this tapers off fresh and slightly savory.  SEPTEMBER 2021
La Valentina "Spelt" Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC Superiore 2020
 93
SEPTEMBER 2021
La Valentina "Spelt" Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC Superiore 2020
 The very dark pink color announces a light red, but this is in fact a full-blown rosé with lots of lightly candied cherry and raspberry character, together with a full body, lightly firm tannins and plenty of juicy flavor, driving long and hard into a persistent, fruity finish. Call it what you like, it’s outstanding. From organically grown grapes. Drink now. 89
MARCH 2021
La Valentina “Spelt” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC 2016
 "Pretty notes of candied violet and star anise waft through the black raspberry fruit in this chewy, medium- to full-bodied red, which is lightly mouthwatering, with a tangy, mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2026. 11,000 cases made, 2,200 cases imported." 93
APRIL 2021
La Valentina “Bellovedere” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva DOC 2016
The 2016 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Bellovedere is dark yet elegant, with an inviting bouquet of blackberries, crushed violets, exotic spice and hints of camphor. This is silky in texture with a savory, almost-salty display of wild berries and minerals, all balanced by brisk acids. You can hardly feel its fine-grained tannins settling in until the very end, as the palate aches under the Bellovedere’s youthful structure, with echoes of licorice and black fruits lingering long. That said, the balance here is on point, and all the 2016 needs is a few more years of cellaring to really shine. 93+
OCTOBER 2022
La Valentina “Bellovedere” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva DOC 2017
The 2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Bellovedere is massive with an oak-inspired burst of mocha mixed with mentholated herbs, cedar, black currants and exotic spice forming its bouquet. However, what impresses most here are the textures, supremely elegant and pure, yet also lifted, as the 2017 balances its rich dark fruits with brisk acids and mineral tones that add liveliness, but also depth. The tannins are fine but sweet, and in need of mellowing; this finishes incredibly long through the cocoa and cinnamon-tinged finale. The Bellovedere spends eighteen months in a combination of barriques and tonneaux, yet the integration is spot on. Give this sexy beast a few years in the cellar to soften its contours and integrate some oak. 89
APRIL 2022
La Valentina Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC 2021
The 2021 Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo is sweetly scented with white strawberries, dusty rose and a hint of confectioners’ sugar. It envelopes the palate in silken textures, as ripe red fruits give way to inner florals and hints of spice. Nuances of licorice and cherry linger as this finishes fresh. 89
APRIL 2021
La Valentina Pecorino Colline Pescaresi IGT 2019
The 2019 Pecorino mixes savory with spicy and sweet in a display that contrasts honied florals with tart orchard fruits and zests of citrus. This is silky, almost oily in feel, showing ripe pear and nectarine cast across a core of bright acidity. Notes of mango and papaya linger through the long and tropical finale. Although fruit-forward and extroverted in character, the 2019 maintains balance. |
