Villa Bucci, Verdicchio Classico Superiore
Vintage: 2024
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | BU201A24 | 12 x 75 | Agglomerated Cork | Available |
| 2024 | BU201H24 | 12 x 37.5 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
For over 40 years, Ampelio Bucci spearheaded the qualitative revolution of Verdicchio in Marche’s Castelli di Jesi denomination. At Villa Bucci, his vision for what this grape could do when grown on great sites and made with the utmost care led to a global resurgence in Verdicchio’s popularity that persists to this day. As described by Ian D’Agata (vinous.com), the estate makes “some of Italy’s best and most age-worthy white wines”.
In 2024, when Ampelio was in his late 80s, he decided to sell Villa Bucci to the Veronesi family, who are dedicated to continuing his incredible legacy. Sadly, Ampelio passed in 2025, leaving behind a lasting impact on Italian white winemaking.
Villa Bucci constitutes 31 hectares of organically farmed vineyards within a 350-hectare estate. Of these, 25 hectares are planted with Verdicchio spread over five magnificent vineyards of varying elevations and aspects. Many of these vines are very old, resulting in low yields of seven to eight tonnes per hectare, which is considerably lower than the 14 tonnes permitted by Castelli di Jesi DOC regulations. This combination of vine age and tiny yields results in wines of great intensity.
The Verdicchio Classico Superiore, fermented in stainless steel tanks, is bottled the July after the vintage as its excellent structure requires lengthier ageing before bottling. The resulting wine has lovely purity, good depth, and superb complexity on the palate.
The Verdicchio Classico Riserva is Villa Bucci’s flagship wine, which, as described by Eric Guido (vinous.com), “remains the region's iconic and benchmark wine”. It is made from Verdicchio sourced from 50-year-old vines, fermented in stainless steel, and then aged for 18 months in large 50 and 75-hectolitre Slavonian oak barrels. The resulting wine is nutty and smoky, with superb richness and a silky texture that is often heralded as being one of Italy’s great white wines.
Vineyards
The fruit for this wine comes from four vineyards in Serra dei Conti, each with a different exposure and at an altitude between 200 and 360 meters above sea level, which contribute to greater complexity in the final blend. Yields are kept low and vineyard management is certified organic, with no herbicides or pesticides used. Soils are mainly calcareous (limestone), lending minerality to the wine, with around 30% clay which retains moisture during the hot summers. The average age of the vines is 37 years and are Guyot trained.
Vintage
The 2024 vintage presented significant challenges but produced wines of good quality. Following a mild winter, warm early spring temperatures pushed budbreak two weeks earlier than average in March. Cool temperatures and abundant rainfall from mid-April through May slowed growth, while prolonged flowering due to frequent rain resulted in lower fruit set. The region experienced a torrid, dry summer with drought conditions and high June temperatures that accelerated ripening by approximately two weeks. Verdicchio harvest began in the second half of September, earlier than usual. Overall, yields were reduced, but the grapes showed good health.
Vinification
Grapes were hand picked and selected in the vineyard. Once arrived at the winery, they were softly pressed and the free-run juice was fermented at controlled temperatures. The wine was then aged in old oak barrels between 50 and 75 hectolitres in size for four months. Different vineyard parcels were vinified separately then carefully blended before bottling.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Deep straw yellow in colour, this wine has a layered bouquet with notes of Golden Delicious apples, almonds and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is complex with a silky texture and good body. A refreshing mineral edge contrasts with the ripe, round flavours of wildflower and honey.
Alcohol (ABV)
13%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Bucci | Verdicchio Classico Riserva | BU202 | W |