Villa Bucci, Verdicchio Classico Riserva
Vintage: 2021
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BU202A21 | 12 x 75 | 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 Riserva is only produced in the best vintages, with fruit from the oldest vines (between 45 and 55 years old on average) and the best sites. There are six vineyards with different exposures and elevations to obtain more complexity in the final blend of each wine. Yields are kept low and vineyard management is certified organic with no herbicides or pesticides used. Soils are mainly calcareous (limestone), giving minerality to the wine, with around 30% clay, which retains moisture during the hot summers.
Vintage
The 2021 vintage in Le Marche was marked by challenging weather conditions beginning with a hot and dry winter, followed by a cold and dry spring, and culminating in a prolonged summer drought that particularly stressed hillside vineyards. While mid-July rainfall provided some relief, it was insufficient to fully compensate for the earlier dryness, resulting in a significantly reduced harvest. Despite these climatic challenges, the vintage produced wines of good quality characterized by excellent acidity, concentration, and aromatic complexity, demonstrating the resilience of the region's vineyards.
Vinification
The grapes were destemmed and the must was immediately separated from the skins to preserve the delicacy of fruit. Fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks, after which the must was transferred into large, 80 year old oak barrels that imparted subtle complexity without overwhelming the varietal characteristics. The wine underwent barrel ageing for at least 18 months, followed by an additional minimum of 12 months of bottle ageing to achieve optimal integration and readiness for release.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
An intense, complex and persistent bouquet of apricot compôte and spice with aromas of honey, beeswax, minerals and flint stone. Full bodied and with great depth, the wine finishes with hints of honey and nuts.
Alcohol (ABV)
13.5%
Acidity
6.3 g/l
pH
3.2
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Bucci | Verdicchio Classico Superiore | BU201 | W |