WINE TASTING: New Arrivals
Two from FRANCE and two from ITALY

Fri. July 23, 4-7 & Sat. July 24, 3-6 BELMONT

“Utter ripeness of fruit, veneration for balance, aromatic integration, and meticulously calibrated oak are the principles rigorously followed by Stefano Pizzamiglio at LA TOSA. Wines that offer delight tonight, but can develop complexity and longevity.” -Gambero Rosso

2008 LA TOSA Riodeltordo $14.99

A “still” version of La Tosa’s famous “Valnure” — a blend of Malvasia & Ortrugo, but vinified

Stefano Pizzamiglia

tranquilo. Equally delicious, with more flexibility at the table.

2009 LA TOSA Gutturnio $16.99
Gutturnio is a blend of the fruity barbera grape (70%) with the spicy, savory Bonarda (30%).  A ripe, plush wine, yet one with good balance & structure. A good mix of fruit and savor makes it a versatile wine with food.

2009 LOUVETRIE Muscadet “Fief de Breuil” $17.99
The ultimate Muscadet. The Fiefs is an old vines bottling that is Dom. De La Louvetries top bottling, a selection of the most perfect Melon de Bourgogne grapes. The weight and volume of the wine are amped up a bit, without sacrificing the crystalline minerality, crisp acidity,  purity of fruit, and the infinite drinkability that is a hallmark of Muscadet. The Fiefs is a unique Muscadet because, while it is delicious upon release, it improves over time, becoming even more complex and refined over the next 10+ years! Quite an achievement for such a modestly priced wine.
2008 BURGAUD Morgon Cote du Py “Cuvee James” $28 Black tea, black fruit, intensely saturated. Made from selected Gamay from a small parcel at the top of the vineyard, aged in seasoned barrique, CUVEE JAMES turns up the volume on rich, concentrated fruit, with deep, powerful gripping tannins; the only successful oak-influenced Beaujolais I’ve ever tasted.

WINE TASTING: New Arrivals featuring Corsican Wines

Fri July 9, 4-7pm & Sat. July 10, 3-6pm Belmont

featuring Corsican wines from Kermit Lynch

Oeno-Adventure in Red & White from Corsica

DOM. MAESTRACCI “E Prove” Corse Calvi

2008 DOM. MAESTRACCI e PROVE Blanc $17.99
“The Maestracci 2008 E Prove Blanc de Blanc – from Vermentino – is one of the most unusual whites you will taste this year, and you should. …This luscious, juicy wine sticks to the palate with a mineral, herbal tang that you simply have to experience.” –WA

100% Vermentino. Piney, sappy nose complicated with pungent herbal aromas and briny oyster shell. Juicy, sappy fruit, tangy citrus and mineral notes. A rewarding, delightful find– definitely a crave-inducing white!

2007 DOM. MAESTRACCI e PROVE Rouge $19.99

Blend of Niellucio (Sangiovese) Grenache, Sciacarello, and Syrah. Long maceration; aged three years in cask. Blackberry fruit and floral aromas. Earthy, tinged with roasted herbs — southern Rhone meets Tuscany.

“Nice deep garnet, and what an aroma! Hard to beat for the buck– a big, beautiful, complex red that reeks of the south and the Île de Beauté, as Corsica is called in France. There is anise, thyme, rosemary, the wildflowers of the maquis, animal notes, a discreet touch of oak. The palate is full, deep, and tannic– a great food wine. The nose of it is really special.”
–KLWM Newsletter

WINE TASTING: The Singular Wines of CLOS CENTEILLES

Minervois (Languedoc, Southern France)
Maximizing Minervois while reviving “lost” wines of the Languedoc

FRI. JUNE 11, 4-7 pm & SAT. JUNE 12, 3-6pm VINTAGES Belmont store

Patricia Boyer-Domergue

The wines of CLOS CENTEILLES epitomize the authentic, original wine mastery we have championed for years. The first time I visited Patricia Boyer-Domergue in Minervois, it was a revelation! How could southern French reds, known for their sturdy, rustic, yet satisfying charm, be so refined, elegant, complex, and most surprisingly, age-worthy? How could wines from Minervois lead me to draw comparisons to Barbaresco or Burgundy? Starting from my first trip to the La Liviniere zone within Minervois, it has been apparent that something special is going on at CLOS CENTEILLES. We had a simple lunch outside the cellar and tasted through multiple vintages going back to the early 90’s. Patricia has been cellaring a sizable collection of the estate’s wines over many vintages to demonstrate their potential for great complexity and age-worthiness.  For several years we have been honored to obtain exclusive “direct from the cellar” releases of Campagne de Centeilles and Clos Centeilles to offer our customers. Our latest shipment is highlighted by a new white wine made from “lost” grape varieties, and a tremendously complex and fine 1991 Clos Centeilles from syrah, grenache noir, and mourvedre, expressing notes of mint, cured-meat, soy, and mushrooms, evoking the savory profile of an aged nebbiolo. Again we have to say that our primary goal is always to promote wines of great character that embody a singular, outstanding quality, that truly express the land and traditions in an authentic manner. The wines of Clos Centeilles have that in spades.

2009 “C” de CENTEILLES Cotes du Brian Blanc $19.99 Debut release of this white wine from a new planting of old local grape varieties carefully selected to thrive in this terroir and combine for an exceptional wine! A blend of 25% Araignan Blanc, 30% Riveirenc Gris, 30% Riveirenc Blanc and 15% Grenache Gris. Orchard fruit flavors, rich and ripe, with an intriguing green almond skin finish. Calls to mind a cross between Manzanilla sherry and Arneis. Total production 300 cases.

2006  “C” de Centeilles $16.99 Blend of Picpoul Noir (90%) and Riveirenc Noir (10%) aged 12-18 mos in steel. “C de Centeilles is the accomplishment of the work of a lifetime, and of the will of its winemakers to restore the originality of Languedoc wine through ancient and almost lost grape varieties.” “C” de Centeilles offers aromas of raspberry, cherry, licorice and herbs. The supple tannins support its juicy fruit enhanced by a crisp acidity. Serve slightly chilled.

2006 Campagne de Centeilles Rouge $13.99 The classic Cinsault rouge that begins its bottled life as a lithe and lively red, and fleshes out over time. Clos Centeilles was the first estate dedicated to making an age-worthy wine from Cinsault, a notoriously difficult grape to cultivate, requiring a very specific set of conditions and constant vigilance. A delicious, fascinating wine at an unbeatable price!

1995 CLOS CENTEILLES Campagne de Centeilles $25
90% Cinsault. Can Minervois age? Winemaker Patricia Boyer-Domergue has long insisted that it can, and very well, thank you. This 1995 Minervois was imported for us directly from the estate’s cellar.  This Campagne de Centeilles bottling is made primarily from Cinsault and the balance is Syrah.  The color of the wine at this point is similar to the color of a traditional Barolo -lighter garnet fading into brick. In the nose, the wine offers fine and complex aromas of baked cherries and plums, soy, bittersweet cocoa, beef consomme, mint, and green tea, seamless and fine in its aromatic complexity. On the palate, the wine is sublime; its silky texture washes over the palate with ethereal flavors of roasted cherry, grilled pit fruit, and amazingly powdery, bitter cocoa tannins.

1991 CLOS CENTEILLES “Clos Centeilles” $40 Special “Library Release” shipped directly from the cellar to VINTAGES. The estate’s top wine is a traditional blend of Mourvedre, Grenache noir, and Syrah planted in limestone. This wine is designed to mature gradually, evolving in compelling complexity over time. Drinks like an old Barolo, beautiful, elegant and lilting, yet firm and austere in structure with notes of mint, cured meat, soy and mushrooms. Vividly demonstrates the quality and aging potential of Minervois.

Domaine CHANDON DE BRIAILLES

Beaune, Burgundy

WINE TASTING Fri. MAY 28, 4:30-6:30pm, Belmont

with Ms. Claude de Nicolay, winemaker

Claude de Nicolay

CHANDON de BRIAILLES, Cotes des Beaune
Four km from Beaune, in the heart of the Cote de Beaune, DOM. CHANDON de BRIAILLES is a 13-ha estate situated in three villages: Savigny les Beaunes, Pernand-

Vergelesses, and Aloxe- Corton. Run by brother and sister Francois and Claude de Nicolay, the estate has been in their family since 1834. Designed to age, these wines made in the purest Burgundian tradition expressing completely the soil and terroir of their origins. To achieve perfect equilibrium of the grapes, Chandon de Briailles maintains the equilibrium of the soil by using only biodynamic farming methods. Claude says: “For me, 2006 is a classic vintage that should offer much to like in the years to come as it’s balanced and thus the wines should age gracefully.” 2007 & 2008 were challenging vintages, but through their vigilance in the vineyards and rigorous sorting down to the berry during harvest, the de Nicolays were very happy with the resulting ripeness and quality of the grapes. Wines are barrel-aged in the 13th c. cellars below the winery for 18-24 mos. Wines are racked twice and bottled by gravity, unfiltered.
white
2007 CHANDON de BRIAILLES “Ile des Vergelesses” Blanc 1er cru $50
Oldest vines in this blend date from 1938. “Here the nose is more elegant with more of a citrus component to the otherwise similar nose that merges into tight medium-bodied flavors that possess good underlying tension and excellent length on the linear, vibrant and lingering finish. Like the Vergelesses, this is quite dry but not aggressively so.  90 pts. “Outstanding Top value”– Burghound

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Wine Tasting Sat. May 15, 2-5pm, Concord
NEW & EXCLUSIVE FROM ITALY

2008 MASARI Agnobianco $19.99 EXCLUSIVE (special 20% off case!) Elegant blend of Garganega and Durella from the Soave area of the Veneto. Intriguing tangerine rind, papaya and bitter almond notes in a silky delivery system with driving minerality.

2009 LE FRAGHE Bardolino Chiaretto Rose “Rodon” $14.99 From Matilde Poggi at Le Fraghe, this Chiaretto (or rose) is a blend of Corvina and Rondinella. Cherry red with purple highlights, Rodòn offers delicate notes of wild rose followed by wild strawberry and redcurrant. Crisply refreshing with a persistent finish, “Rodon” is a perfect balance of delicate flavors and inviting minerality.

2008 Fra. ALESSANDRIA Verduno Pelaverga $19.99 EXCLUSIVE
Hands down, the most intriguing “summer red” we’ve tasted! But don’t be deceived by the light color of this wine from the Pelaverga grape grown only in the town of Verduno in northern Barolo. This aromatic red develops in the glass showing beautiful plum and currant flavors, with a hint of white pepper on the long finish! molto buono!

2008 LUCIANO SANDRONE Dolcetto d’Alba $22
From one of the modern masters of Barolo, the 2008 Dolcetto d’Alba is a pretty, medium-bodied red with appealing dark fruit, licorice, spices and a characteristic pleasantly bitter note on the finish.

2005 SAN FEREOLO Langhe Nebbiolo “Provinciale” $28 EXCLUSIVE It’s not surprisingthat this debut bottling from Nicoletta Boca at San Fereolo with a little help from her friend Giuseppe Rinaldi, has yielded an amazingly delicious nebbiolo that approaches the depth and complexity of a young Barolo!  Dark brick, opaque color, earthy elegance, rich aromas, hint of licorice and blueberry, nice tannins on finish. Let it evolve in your glass, decant, or revisit the next day or three for best results. A drinker & a keeper!

Wine Tasting Fri. May 14 4-7pm & Sat. May 15 4-6:30pm, Belmont
New Values from Spain!

Including WINE DOG DEALS for May (20% off case purchase):

2009 GARCIAREVALO Casamaro Blanco $10.99 (Rueda) “Garciarevalo’s 2009 Casamaro Blanco is 90% Verdejo and 10% Viura fermented in tank. Medium straw-colored, it displays a nose of baking spices, mineral, citrus, and pit fruits. Crisp, balanced, and intense in the mouth, this spicy offering will provide pleasure over the next 18 mos. It is an excellent value.” -WA

2009 CAPCANES Mas Donis Rosado $10.99 (Montsant)
“The 2009 Mas Donis Rosado is a blend of 80% Garnacha with the balance 10% Syrah and Merlot. Deep pink, it offers up an intense cherry and peach bouquet. On the palate it has excellent volume and a long, fruit-filled finish. Drink it over the next 18 months.”-WA

2007 ERCAVIO Roble Tempranillo $11.99 (La Mancha)
“Mas Que Vinos’ 2007 Ercavio Roble, made up of 100% Tempranillo and aged for five mos. in French and American oak. Opaque purple in color, it delivers an expressive nose of cedar, earth notes, black cherry, and blackberry liqueur. Thick, dense, and opulent on the palate, it has gobs of savory black fruit, licorice and spice notes, enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years, and a lengthy finish. It totally over-delivers for its humble price. This is one to buy by the case. 90+ pts.”-WA

PLUS MORE!

2008 ARBANTA Rioja $14.99 (Rioja Baja)
Organically farmed, 100% Tempranillo from 20-year old vines planted at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria mountains. Spicy floral aromas with striking mineral notes. Delivers excellent structure along with a solid core of fruit.

2008 BURGANS Albarino $11.99 (Galicia)
Burgans Albarino is made at the famous Bodega Martin Codax winery in Rias Baixas. White flower aromas and juicy pit fruit deliver an appealing mouthful followed by a refreshing citrus finish.

Get ready for a nebbiolo blow-out! ALDO VACCA, director of the PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO, and RENATO VACCA, Cantina del Pino are at VINTAGES for tastings Fri. Apr. 30 & Sat. May 1!

WINE TASTING: “Dynamic Duo of Barbaresco”
Friday, April 30 4:30-6:30pm, Belmont

Join us for a Barbaresco blow-out!

Renato & Aldo Vacca

ALDO VACCA is the director of the PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO, an historic producer in the region with cooperative ownership of nine top cru vineyards in Barbaresco. Made from 100% nebbiolo in the traditional manner every vintage, the Produttori del Barbaresco Riservas reveal the distinctive character of each vineyard – a fascinating and delicious comparison! ALDO VACCA  will present the following Barbarescos & nebbiolo wines;

2005 BARBARESCO Asili $65
2005 BARBARESCO Montefico $65
2004 BARBARESCO Montestefano $68
2005 BARBARESCO Rio Sordo $65
2005 BARBARESCO Rabaja $65
2006 BARBARESCO “Torre” $35
2008 Langhe Nebbiolo $23
TASTING SPECIAL: 20% off 24 bottles of any 2005 Barbaresco Riservas ($52/bottle)

RENATO VACCA is the owner/winemaker of CANTINA del PINO in Barbaresco. A fourth-generation grower with old-vines in the prime Ovello district, Renato and his father Adriano struck out on their own in the late 1990’s with their first Barbaresco in 1997. Renato has risen quickly to the top echelon of Barbaresco producers with his wines winning “Three Glasses” award from Gambero Rosso and most recently producing some of the highest-scoring 2005 Barbarescos (95 pts. for “Albesani” and “Ovello”). Cantina del Pino also makes Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo, and Langhe Freisa (a chilled sparkling red).
Wines from CANTINA del PINO include:
2005 BARBARESCO “Albesani” $60
2005 BARBARESCO $45
2004 BARBARESCO “Ovello” $65 (Special order only; $52/bottle for case purchase)
2006 BARBERA d’ ALBA $30
2008 DOLCETTO d’ ALBA $17.99
2008 LANGHE FREISA $17.99

WINE TASTING: Presenting the 2005 Barbaresco Riservas of the Produttori del Barbaresco with director Aldo Vacca
Saturday, May 1, 2-5pm, Concord store

PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO WINE TASTING
2005 Barbaresco Ris. “Montefico” $65
2005 Barbaresco Ris. “Asili” $65
2005 Barbaresco Ris. “Rabaja” $65
2004 Barbaresco Ris. “Montestefano” $68
2006 Barbaresco “Torre” $35
2008 Langhe Nebbiolo $23

About Produttori del Barbaresco
The historic PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO, with its nine cru vineyards, offers a comprehensive Barbaresco symposium all on it own! Aldo, as the long-time wine director, is a veritable fountain of nebbiolo knowledge, the nuances of vintage and vineyard, and the history of wine in the region. Single-vineyard cru riservas are made in the best vintages and are aged nearly five years before release. These beautiful age-worthy wines will continue to evolve for 15, 20 even 30 years or more. “Torre” is the standard Barbaresco, excellent quality younger vines from the top vineyards.

WINE DINNER Fri. APR. 30, 7:30pm SOLD OUT!
PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO WINE DINNER with ALDO VACCA @ IL CASALE, Belmont
WHERE: Il Casale, Belmont
WHEN: Fri. APR 30, 7:30pm
COST: $130 all-inclusive
RESERVE: SOLD OUT!

WINE TASTING: New Arrivals from France

whites & reds from Kermit Lynch & Neal Rosenthal

Fri. April 23 4-7 & Sat. April 24, 3-7, Belmont store

Sparkling

NV CHIDAINE Montlouis Sur Loire Methode Traditionnelle Brut (Loir Valley) $19.99 100% Chenin Blanc, bio dynamically produced in traditional (Champagne) method, no dosage.  Doesn’t get much tastier than that!  Refreshing and crisp on the palate with good acidity.

white

2009 CHATEAU DUCASSE Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux) $15.99 KLWM Unfiltered Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and a touch of Muscadelle from Barsac (a satellite of Sauternes).  The perfect summer white—light, crisp, low in alcohol.  Go on, have another glass.

2009 DOM. LA MANARINE Cotes du Rhone Blanc (Rhone Valley) $14.99 RWM
Gilles Gasq is a talented young winemaker who has honed his skills working as an assistant to Paul Jeune, the proprietor of Domaine de Monpertuis and Chateau Valcombe. This Cotes du Rhone blanc is a Clairette and Bourblenc blend; very fresh, perfect for summer outings!

red

2007 LA PETITE MAIRIE Bourgueil Cuvee des Galluches (Loire Valley) $17.99 RWM Corinne and James Petit “have an uncompromising vision of the expression of the Cabernet Franc grape married to the unique terroir of Bourgeuil.”  Although 2007 was a tricky year for some in the Loire, high-quality producers like the Petits crafted wines that are sure to please.

2008 CLOS LA COUTALE Cahors (Southwest France) $15.99 KLWM 70% Malbec (known as Côt, locally), 15% Merlot and 15% Tannat.  12 months in oak round out this warm, spicy blend.  Winemaker Philippe Bernède walks the line between modern technique and traditional methods.  Grill season, anyone?

VINTAGES Adventures in wine &
ROSENTHAL Wine Merchants

present

Wine Dinner with Giampiero Bea
and the Montefalco Wines of PAOLO BEA

SOLD OUT!

WHERE: Il Capriccio restaurant, Waltham
WHEN: Monday, May 3, 7:00pm
COST: $100/person + tax + gratuity (includes menu & wines below)
RESERVE: Call Il Capriccio at 781-894-2234

Please join us for a rare opportunity to meet GIAMPIERO BEA from the legendary PAOLO BEA winery in Montefalco, Umbria. Chef Baron has prepared a special menu to pair with these exquisite wines that so vividly and accurately evoke the terroir of Montefalco. This event promises to be an extraordinary excursion into the viticultural and gastronomical terrain of this storied land with the ultimate guide, Giampiero Bea.
(Note: The retail prices for these Paolo Bea wines range from approx. $35-$100/bottle or more, so this dinner represents a tremendous value as well.)

“Wholly unique. Idiosyncratic. The Bea family’s decidedly traditional approach continues to provide the most authentic and unrestrained expressions of the Sagrantino grape variety and that magical hilltop town in Umbria that is Montefalco.”

m e n u

Squash Blossoms with Herbed Ricotta drizzled with Honey
Santa Chiara Bianco 2008, Paolo Bea

Lentils and Wild Boar Sausage
San Valentino, Umbria Rosso 2006, Paolo Bea

Linguine with Pancetta, Asparagus, Fava Beans and Pecorino
Rosso di Veo, Umbria Rosso 2005, Paolo Bea

Squab with Duck Foie Gras, Red Wine and Sage Farro
Montefalco Rosso Riserva “Pipparello” 2004, Paolo Bea

Selection of Cheese
Montefalco Sagrantino Secco “Pagliaro” 2004, Paolo Bea

BOSTON BARBARESCO FEST!
April 28-May 1, 2010
Save the dates!

The “Dynamic Duo of Barbaresco” is coming to Boston– winemakers (& cousins):
ALDO VACCA, Produttori del Barbaresco; & RENATO VACCA, Cantina del Pino

Aldo Vacca is the director of the PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO, the world’s foremost wine cooperative. With ownership of nine top Barbaresco cru vineyards, the Produttori is known for high-quality, long-aging, traditionally made Barbaresco. Aldo will be in Boston and at VINTAGES April 30 & May 1 to present the newly-released 2005 Barbaresco Riservas.

“Produttori del Barbaresco is one of the few estates in the world that continues to produce fine, age worthy wines at consumer-friendly prices.”– WA

Renato Vacca is the owner & winemaker of CANTINA del PINO, located in the Ovello district of Barbaresco. A former member of the Produttori cooperative, Renato and his father Adriano formed their own winery in 1997. Renato’s Barbarescos have won high praise from critics and consumers alike. He makes a full range of traditional Piedmont wines: Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Langhe Freisa, and Barbarescos from Ovello and Albesani.
“Cantina del Pino is a great source for top-notch wines from Barbaresco.”–WA

MARK your CALENDAR! 2010 Boston Barbaresco Festival events include:

Wed. April 28: BARBARESCO WINE DINNER with RENATO VACCA of Cantina del Pino at Eastern Standard Kitchen in Boston. $125 all-inclusive. See menu.

Fri. April 30, 4:30-6:30pm: “DYNAMIC DUO” Barbaresco WINE TASTING at VINTAGES, Belmont Center, featuring Aldo Vacca & Renato Vacca, $10.

Fri. April 30, 7:30pm: PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO WINE DINNER at IL CASALE in Belmont. $130 all-inclusive.

Sat. May 1: PRODUTTORI del Barbaresco Winemaker Tasting 2-5pm at VINTAGES, West Concord, $10.

PLEASE RSVP for these events as soon as you can. Seating is limited. email: info@vintagesonline.com
ph: 617-484-4560