JamesSuckling.com: 97 points

“Aromatic with black cherries, oranges and cedar. Very perfumed. Medium to full body. Firm tannins. The wood is showing a bit now but will come through nicely. This is a structured and toned red.”

Review date: September 2023

Vinous: 95 points

“Just a baby today, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is darkly alluring with a youthfully coy bouquet that requires coaxing as dusty earth and dried flowers slowly take on hints of incense and black cherries. It flows easily across the palate, silky and refined with building tension as brisk acidity and minerals mingle with edgy tannins toward the close. The 2019 finishes dramatically long and structured with a pleasantly bitter tinge. A resonance of salted licorice and cedar lingers on and on. Valdicava has captured the radiance of the vintage. Drinking Window: 2026 – 2036.

PierFilippo Abbruzzese of Valdicava couldn’t be happier with 2019, describing it as ‘a dream for any farmer: perfect weather, perfect rains, perfect temperatures, incredibly wonderful wines… an October harvest where we could take the freedom of waiting for another couple of days for perfect maturation.’ As a result, the family has once again bottled their Montosoli as a single vineyard wine, this time in 750ml bottles and magnums. As fantastic as it is, the house Brunello is just as exciting for me. It’s a perfect mix of house style and vintage character, promising many years of positive maturation and pleasurable drinking. We can also look forward to a Madonna del Piano that will be released as a Riserva in 2025. Of note, Valdicava did not produce any Brunello from the 2018 vintage, only Rosso, as they wanted to give the vineyard a chance to recover from frost damage in 2017 that affected about 80% of their vines. This was an excellent decision considering the quality of these 2019s.” – Eric Guido

Review date: November 2023

Decanter: 95 points

“After losing 80% of production to frost in 2017, Vincenzo Abbruzzese decided to forego making a Brunello in 2018, giving the vines time to restore their energy. Valdicava was rewarded in 2019 with both quality and quantity. Rather than racing out of the gate, this expresses methodically. Fresh berries are offset by dried florals, tea, tobacco and cedar. Perfumes of orange oil and rose build on the palate, bestowing brightness and a more youthful mien. Tannins are fine-grained yet firm, accentuated by steely acidity. Overall elegant in flow. Drinking Window: 2025 – 2037” – Michaela Morris

Review date: November 2023