Tuscan Collectibles: Valdicava Madonna Del Piano – The Wine

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano is a wine that impresses with its depth of fruit and solid structure. It is a pure single-vineyard sourced Sangiovese that really shows its provenance. In fact, "unique" is a word I would use to describe its dark fruit, wet earth and dried porcini mushroom character, not to mention the polished and firm tannin backbone of the wine. This is why it is my No. 6 wine on my list of the 12 Best Collectible Tuscan Wines.

I tasted the last two vintages of the Madonna del Piano in bottle – 2006 and 2005 – with owner Vincenzo Abbruzzese. The 2005 is on the market and the 2006 should be out early next year. Please focus on the large oak casks in the video. The reds are aged in those “bote,” so they are not aged in small French oak casks. It’s been like that for decades. The 2006 clearly outclasses the 2005. In fact, it might be the best Madonna del Piano ever. It shows such beauty and structure, yet it’s balanced and refined. In the video, I love the way Vincenzo described the new vintages of Madonna as examples of the new Brunellos of our time.

2005 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano: A super silky and beautiful Sangivoese with lovely berry, and dark chocolate with hints of flowers. It’s full and velvety and goes on and on at the finish. So balanced and gorgeous. Drink now or hold. 95 points.

2006 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano: Even thought this will not be on the market until March, it shows such amazing structure of firm tannins that are super polished and rich. It’s full-bodied with an incredible richness, intensity, and energy. There’s such purity and precision to this wine. What great power and balance. I love the character of dark fruits, wet earth, and porcini mushrooms. Perfect clarity to this wine. How can a Brunello be better than this? 100 points.