Gae Saccoccio - NdC

9.6

Really complicated on these so suspect days, expose themselves with concepts such as: tradition, terroir, identity without falling into the most sinister rhetoric if not sounds just trite and hypocritical as the counterfeit currency with which even large-scale industries - supported by marketing - pays back its inattentive mass audience riding the wave of the country of origin or protected typicality. A diabolical mechanism this one for which even the most noble ideas probably the right practices and good experiences completed in the scale of centuries to human measure and not on massive industrial scale, are trivialized by sleazy slogan, emptied of meaning to be more or less surreptitious thanks to barbaric persuasion techniques and brain-washing propaganda.
Yet with the Valentini's Trebbiano you may not groped to summarize in words if not by drawing on terms so appropriate to express it. Now concerning this iconic label we've got behind it a local grape variety, a real family and a great wine that collect in a bottle the past and present story of a side of Abruzzo who claims to defeats victories and sacrifices to dominate the abuses (on and of) nature, miseries and splendours of agricultural seasons. Places, people, vision, wines such as Valentini are here to remind us how each bottle stay so proudly standing as non-reproducible beauty and fermented goodness expressing all its artisanal uniqueness and authenticity which are just that suspect to industrial wine production in manufacturing chains on standardized quantities; wines that are all equal to themselves even though wine itself is not much left at the end of the day/cycle. Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Valentini 1998 is what we have to rate right now: rusticity with class; style, purity and glory of a local grape recognized by many admirers from all over the world: act local think global this is another slogan-cliché which in this specific Valentini's wine exemple could sounds a little less false and more effective. — 10 years ago

with Alberto and Giovanni

Blaine Verde

9.0

If the clusters are grown from vines that survived phylloxera and are completely un grafted you can bet you will be experiencing a unique treasure. Better yet, this is carignano from Sant Antioco... A little extension from the mainland of sardegna floating on the south west side of things. Unfiltered for her pleasure. Righteous bush vines creating A rustic, Mediterranean herb sort of grape juice. — 11 years ago

Michael Zakriski

9.1

Not 100% opaque. Looks like the poor of a Carneros Pinot. Low ABV (12.5) and the legs confirm that. A nose of wet straw and unpaved road dust, leather, very little fruit. The nose contradicts totally what is expressed on the palette. Hot, intense, concentrated red (not dark) fruit and the spritelyness and acidity of a Beaujolais Nouveau. Unlike Beaujolais, however, this has tannins a plenty and a sturdiness that could see it paired with a chuck roast. This wines differs greatly from its more southerly Rhoné cousins in just so many ways. It is so difficult to find an affordable (is $57 affordable?) Rotie, I'm glad I didn't pass this up. — 13 years ago

Martin Mills

8.9

2012 - outstanding aromas of curry spice and dark berry fruit, really seductive. Odd then that the palate doesn't quite follow through, there's plenty of fruit but it's a little lean and the strong jasmine tea notes in the tannins are just out of balance. Could be indicative of the 2012 vintage, even the Akarua from that year was not mind blowing. Still a very fine effort, I could happily sit sniffing away at the glass for hours. $47.95 at LCBO — 10 years ago

Dan Rath

9.3

Awesome Central Valley Syrah with crazy grip and still balance, stewed black fruit and loamy soil, little jammy on a finish that could be longer/stronger — 11 years ago

Tiffany Sams Cox

9.5

Walks that fine line between grounded in earth tones with savory notes in the nose and a richness of fruit that could only come from coastal sonoma sites with plenty of minutes in the sunshine. Thoroughly enjoyed with a little poutine thrown together from some braised beef cheeks, Wisconsin cheddar curds, and good ol russets. — 11 years ago

David L

9.0

13' Dirty & Rowdy Semillon. 11.6% ALC. Cloudy, medium golden color. I would've guessed an orange wine. I would've never guessed Semillon?

An aperitif wine, that you could carry right over to a meal. Decanted for an hour(it's needed)Little barnyard, citrus skins on the nose.
Lemon core, wet stone/rocks, orang peel, poundcake. Serve at cellar temperature, if not a little warmer. — 10 years ago

Mary Hemphill

8.9

Very good, lots of flavor! Concord grape jelly!!! But, almost too sweet, (can't believe I said that! Didn't think anything could be too sweet.) — 11 years ago

Mark Livings

9.0

Love the sour zing in this Tassie Pinot almost like orange rind. Loads of black fruits and black cherries, fine tannins that fade just a little too quickly for my liking, probably because it's an '11. French oak nicely balanced and doesn't overpower. Could be mistaken for an Otago. — 12 years ago

Mitchell Mulder

9.0

First let state how much I enjoy Guinness Draught and the import Stout, this brewed in Dunlin, so that is good, I like this but it could been better, little too light, it is like Draught light, I think the overall brew is very good, just as I say little light — 13 years ago