And he’s especially involved when it comes to their top cuvees. Here we see Pierre giving the wines the full Verite treatment from a winemaking standpoint! That means a brutal selection of fruit in the vineyard followed by aging in up to 70% new oak in the cellar.
But what we did not expect is how incredible these wines age. Recently, our supplier brought in a couple of these library selections. Some of you are already familiar with the the Tenuta di Arceno Toscana Arcanum 2012, Pierre's Cabernet Franc-based blend from their vineyards. But today we're featuring his Merlot-based stunner, the Tenuta di Arceno Toscana Valadorna 2013. Like the Arcanum, this library offering is in pristine condition, sourced direct from the winery. And it’s AMAZING. This beauty had us from the first sniff, a compelling blend of 74% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that was sourced from the winery’s Valadorna and Capraia blocks on sandy clay soils.
From a cooler vintage wiht long hang time, the wine's nose jumps from the glass with exotic spices of jasmine, cumin and vanilla bean. The fruit expression is of raspberry and black cherry. The mouthfeel is dominated by long flexible tannins framed by slight tingling acids. The immediate sensation of blueberry pie gives way to an uplifting bright sour cherry finish. As the fruit subsides, what remains on the palate are hints of sweet cedar and cigar box notes. I’m not sure that Pierre’s $400 2013 Verite La Muse Merlot-based blend is that much better than this wine. Seriously...
From the pundits…
95 Points! The 2013 Valadorna (mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot) is yet another home run in this blockbuster collection of new releases from Tenuta di Arceno in the southern part of Chianti Classico (Castelnuovo Berardegna). This is a firm and tightly knit expression that is packed tight with black fruit, tobacco, tar and dark chocolate. The wine shows enormous aromatic intensity, but then it slims down just a touch in the mouth to offer an elegantly tapered finish. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com
94 Points! Compared to the older and warmer 2011, which is a bit rustic and jammy, this 2013 is a fairly classic vintage for Merlot. It was harvested in September, marking a return to the usual picking dates. The percentage of the Merlot here reaches 74% of the blend, in order to maximise its fleshy character in a relatively cool year. The nose is evolved yet with an amazing complexity of tobacco, earthy tones, clean leather and balsamic depth. On the palate cassis fruit melds with leather and spices, supported by polymerised tannins and natural refreshing acidity. - Decanter Magazine, February 2021
94 Points! Very intense nose of blackberries, dark chocolate, sandalwood, vanilla, treacle and tar. Full-bodied with plenty of dark fruit, but lots of black-olive undertones and bright acidity keep this fresh, while firm tannins carve out an elegant, polished shape. - JamesSuckling.com
Now, of course, the best part. Current vintages of Valadorna retail for $100 a bottle so, in theory, this library selection should cost more, right? Nope, we’re rolling this one out at an incredible $39.98 a bottle while stocks last.
Simply put, this is one of the greatest deals we’ve ever offered on a pristine, gorgeous, library selection from one of Tuscany’s top names. AN ABSOLUTE MUST-BUY.
