NEW ARRIVALS WINE TASTING: Italy & France

BELMONT: Fri & Sat. Jan. 29 & 30, 4-7pm Belmont
CONCORD: Sat. Jan. 30, 2-5pm

white
2008 CHATEAU DE LASCAUX Coteaux du Languedoc $17.99 (Southern France) compellingblend of Vermentino, Rousanne, Marsanne, Viognier

2008 MASARI Agnobianco $19.99 (Veneto)
elegant blend of Garganega & Durella

red
2008 COLLE TICCHIO Cesanese del Piglio $17.99 (Lazio) 100% Cesanese grape near Rome; a refreshing red

2008 ALBINO ROCCA Rosso di Rocca $17.99 (Piedmont) juicy blend of nebbiolo, barbera & cab franc

2008 CEUSO “Scurati” Nero d’Avola $16.99 (Sicily)
Nero d’Avola - big, dark fruit, chewy tannins

2007 CATALDI MADONNA Montepulciano d’Abruzzo $19.99 (Abruzzo) dark, dense fruit, beautiful harmony!

New from the Veneto:
2008 LE FRAGHE BARDOLINO $14.99

NEW! 2008 LE FRAGHE Bardolino $14.99 (Veneto)
We are very pleased to finally have this lovely Bardolino from winemaker and friend MATILDE POGGI at Le Fraghe. We got to know Matilde in Verona over several years of wine fairs, and when the opportunity arose, we introduced her to a Boston importer– and now her wine is finally here! A blend of corvina & rondinella grapes from the Veneto, Le Fraghe Bardolino is ruby red in color, with a rich, complex bouquet of sweet-sour cherry and blueberry, and spicy nuances of cinnamon and black pepper. The distinctive hallmark of this wine is its elegance; it displays remarkably soft tannins and beautiful balance– perfect summer red!

WINE TASTING “SAN FEREOLO: Soul of Dogliani”
Sat. February 28, 2-5pm, Belmont store

In the wild, windy hills of Dogliani (dol-yahnee) in Italy’s Piedmont region, the Dolcetto grape is king. Nicoletta Bocca is the pioneering spirit and artist behind these wines, grown amid the vineyards, meadows, and woods on her farm in the Dogliani hills. Nicoletta left her career in the city in the early 1990’s to farm her family’s vineyards in this challenging, distinctive terroir. In recent years, she led a group of Dogliani producers to obtain the DOCG designation for Dogliani Dolcetto. In recent years, Nicoletta committed to biodynamic farming for all her vineyards and wines.

2004 SAN FEREOLO LANGHE BIANCO “Raviolo” $25 VINTAGES EXCLUSIVE! The signature sunburst on the San Fereolo label promises a warm, sunny smile of contentment as we sip. Aromas of hay & wild flowers, dried apricot flavors, rich, satisfying texture. Enjoy with hearty or spicy foods, or on its own!

2004 SAN FEREOLO “AUSTRI” Langhe Barbera $27
“Austri” is an earthy, rich red made from Barbera grapes grown in Dogliani. Beautiful deep berry and plum flavors, rich and lush, a hint of minerals and wildflowers.

2004 SAN FEREOLO DOLCETTO di Dogliani Superiore $19.99 “Three Glasses” Award. The flagship red of San Fereolo, bursting with deep cherry fruit, cocoa powder tannins, and grassy herbal notes. A great example of Dogliani terroir.

2005 SAN FEREOLO DOLCETTO di Dogliani “Valdiba” Special $11.99  This entry-level dolcetto from San Fereolo is one of the few wines at this price that tastes better the next day! Great structure, cherry fruit, dusty cocoa and mineral notes. Tremendous wine value!

2003 VALDCAVA BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO 95 pts.
2003 VALDICAVA Brunello di Montalcino $129 

“Enticing aromas of meat-and-mushroom pie mingle with rich plum and spices. Full-bodied, with silky, caressing tannins and intense fruit and mineral flavors. Well-crafted, finishing long. The flagship Brunello in 2003. This is the wine of the vintage. Best after 2010. 2,800 cases made. 95 pts.” –W.S.

Power & Finesse in Tuscany:
CASTELL’IN VILLA, Castelnuovo

Castell’in Villa is a medieval hamlet dating back to the 1200’s. The medieval stone tower is the home of Princess Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa. The princess is never in a hurry to release her wines, as the current releases demonstrate. But they are regularly worth waiting for, as the Princess is a perfectionist and her vineyards are some of the best in all of Chianti Classico.

“Super-Tuscan” Santa Croce
2003 Castell in’Villa “Santa Croce” $75
The Castell’in Villa Santacroce is a thoroughly complex wine — considered a super-tuscan- combining both the old and new styles of contemporary wine making. The 2003 is the first vintage since 1997 for the Santa Croce.

1997 Castell in’Villa “Santa Croce” $95
The 1997 Santa Croce (50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Sangiovese) is another wine that beautifully integrates the generous qualities of the warm vintage with a classic conception of structure. It offers varietal Cabernet notes on the nose along with plenty of sweet dark fruit, spice and tar notes that develop in the glass, underpinned by the acidity from the Sangiovese with a lingering note of sweetness on the long, elegant finish. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2022.

Chianti Classico Riserva
“Castell’in Villa is an excellent source for traditionally- styled Chiantis. The highlights of this line-up are the Chianti Classico Riservas, which are capable of
developing gracefully in bottle for decades. Each year the estate re-releases a few of its older vintages, which gives consumers the rare ability to purchase lovingly-stored collectible wines with perfect provenance, something that has become all too rare in today’s world.”– Wine Advocate

1986 Castell in’Villa Chianti Classico Ris. $95
1993 Castell in’Villa Chianti Classico Ris. $75
The Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva is made of Sangiovese grapes entirely from our best vineyards. The wine is blended and aged in oaks for 2-3 years. The Riserva is concentrated, with substantial tannins and an elegant fragrance. The taste is complex, showing ripe fruit, black cherries and some deep earthy spicy tones.

These traditional, artisanal gems and many others, are imported by Jeannie Rogers, Adonna Imports & Il Capriccio restaurant. Enjoy!

BRUNO GIACOSA, BARBARESCO & BAROLO (Piedmont, Italy)
“At a time in life when many of his colleagues have begun to slow down, Bruno Giacosa continues to make stunning wines of the highest level. Of course Giacosa has the good fortune of having the services of long-time oenologist Dante Scaglione, who is one of the most prodigiously talented winemakers in Italy. Simply put, 2004 will go down as one of the all-time great Giacosa vintages for both Barolo and Barbaresco.“–Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

2004 BRUNO GIACOSA Barbaresco “Rabaja” $225 97 pts. ($191.25/btl case price)
“The 2004 Barbaresco Rabaja is off the charts. It boasts phenomenal richness and complexity in its dark, brooding aromatics and powerful structure, with suggestions of roses, tar, menthol, coffee beans and baking spices that emerge from the glass in an endless display of elegance married to sheer force. Although the Rabaja will be released as a white label non-Riserva, it is very close to Riserva-level quality. I would not be surprised to see the Rabaja merit a higher score in another year or two. This magnificent wine will especially appeal to readers who enjoy a structured style of Barbaresco. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. 97 pts.“- Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

2004 BRUNO GIACOSA Barbaresco “Santo Stefano” $270 ($229.50/btl case price) 95 pts. Single-vineyard Barbaresco. “Giacosa’s 2004 Barbaresco “Santo Stefano” is a superb wine. Sweet, floral, mentholated aromatics meld into an expressive core of ripe fruit, with superb length and elegant tannins to round out the finish. Made in a more linear style than the Asili and Rabaja, it doesn’t possess the expansiveness of those two wines, but it does reveal tremendous depth, harmony and balance. This pure, sweet, long Barbaresco is the best Santo Stefano in years. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022. 95 pts.”–Robert Parker

2004 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto $270 ($229.50/btl case purchase) 96 pts.
“Giacosa’s 2004 Barolo Falletto is so compelling it will be hard not to drink it in its youth. This gorgeous Barolo reveals a deeply structured frame layered with sweet dark fruit, mint, spice and pine. At once delicate and powerful, it is a beautifully finessed wine that is sure to provide much pleasure. A recent bottle of the 1982 is a testament to the virtues of this great site as interpreted by Bruno Giacosa. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. 96 pts.” –Robert Parker

Debut of DOGLIANI DOCG! BRAVO!
Where Dolcetto is King

2006 is the premier vintage of a new DOCG in Piedmont: the Dogliani docg accords the Dolcetto from Dogliani with the distinction of being the highest expression of the dolcetto grape. The Dogliani docg, in the works for several years, is a great achievement for the extremely talented and committed vigneron/artisans who have dedicated themselves to their appellation, their vineyards, and their varietal, dolcetto.

Dogliani is devoted to Dolcetto
Other appellations in Piedmont, such as Barolo and Barbaresco, plant the faster-ripening dolcetto in lesser vineyards where the noble nebbiolo grape would not thrive. In Alba, Dolcetto is made as an easy-drinking quaffer for everyday. In Dogliani, dolcetto is not a sideshow, but the main event. Grown in the best vineyards, lavished with all the vintner’s attention and care, Dogliani dolcetto has ambition, heart, and age-worthiness. The wine Dogliani has a richer, more complex character with chewy tannins reminiscent of Sagrantino from Umbria, or cabernet sauvignon. Luscious berry fruit, silky, powdery tannins, and bitter almond finish are characteristic, as is a noble piemontese austerity in their youth.

Winemakers Anna Maria Abbona, Nicoletta Bocca, and Orlando Pecchenino have been at the forefront of the movement to create this distinction for Dogliani and to emerge from the shadow of more famous neighbors, such as Monforte d’Alba in Barolo. Theirs is the classic underdog story, and for me it has been a great pleasure to work with these producers to promote Dogliani Dolcetto and increase the appreciation of these wines. Not made simply to be appealing, but to achieve the highest expression of these grapes in this particular place. BRAVO DOGLIANI! BRAVO!

Featured 2006 Dogliani –ANNA MARIA ABBONA
Anna Maria and her husband gave up their careers to return to the family vineyards in 1989. It didn’t seem like a smart move, since the vineyards were far from prestigious or of easy viticulture. Dolcetto has always thrived in this area, and they have maximized its potential over the last two decades. Anna Maria works her eight hectares entirely by hand with a minimum of chemical intervention. This, along with tremendously low yields, produces wines with firmness and aromatic intensity that retain a supple feel in the mouth.

2006 ANNA MARIA ABBONA Maioli Dogliani DOCG $25
Made from 100% dolcetto. Deep garnet purple leading to a violet rim. Violets with black cherry fruit in the nose along with balsamic and mineral notes. Big, ripe berry fruit in the mouth with a pleasing tartness. Multi-dimensional texture, big youthful tannins, bitter almond finish. “A rather suave dolcetto with a nicely restrained sweetness.” –IWC

2002 ALBINO ROCCA BARBARESCO due mila due $25! The recent visit and tasting with Barbara Engist-Rocca allowed us to not only indulge our palates in the winery’s outstanding 2001 and 2004 Barbarescos, but to re-taste the 2002 Barbaresco. In 2002, their only bottling contained the combined fruit of both “Brich Ronchi” and “Loreto” vineyards. Leave it to the Wine Dog to sniff out a great deal from a not-so-great vintage — the 2002 Barbaresco offers lightly floral aromas, lush cocoa tannins, characteristic cherry-chocolate flavors. “Rocca’s 2002 Barbaresco is one of the best wines of the vintage. It displays an evolved nose of leather, spices, and tobacco, with plenty of sweet stewed prune flavors in a relatively soft and supple style for the vintage, finishing with substantial tannins.” — Wine Advocate

A new winery in the region, PERTICAIA is winning top honors for its 2004 Sagrantino Montefalco made from 100% sagrantino grapes, a traditional, native variety. Owner Guido Guardigli has much to be proud of, launching an outstanding winery and creating one of the most successful expressions of the sagrantino grape. PERTICAIA also makes delicious, easy-drinking sangiovese blends. Outstanding for fall!

2004 PERTICAIA SAGRANTINO MONTEFALCO $48 –Three Glasses Winner!
100% Sagrantino. Warm, ripe, raspberry fruit, with spicy intensity and dense, mouth-filling texture. “Stunning bouquet packed with blackberry flavors wrapped in balsam and lush spices. Spacious, deep, and dense yet dynamic on the palate, with lush tannins. Still young, of course, but its true soul will be revealed through the years.”–Gambero Rosso 2008

2005 PERTICAIA MONTEFALCO ROSSO $22
60% Sangiovese, 15% Colorino, 15% Sagrantino and 10% Merlot. Fresh with the aromas and flavors of wild raspberries and blueberries. Med-full body, with sweet tannins.

2007 PERTICAIA UMBRIA ROSSO $14.99
80% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino, 10% Merlot
Deep plum color, rich and smooth texture with black cherry notes. Full and expressive, delicious Sangiovese!

BARBARA ENGIST-ROCCA from the ALBINO ROCCA winery in Barbaresco, Italy, will present her estate’s wines at VINTAGES in Belmont on Friday, September 5, from 4-7pm. ALBINO ROCCA, owned by Barbara and Angelo Rocca, is a benchmark producer of Barbaresco. Since the early 1900’s several generations of the Rocca family have farmed their prime nebbiolo vineyards and created the wine that is Angelo’s greatest passion, Barbaresco. At the Sept. 5 tasting, Barbara will discuss winemaking in Piedmont, the unique characteristics of the nebbiolo grape, and conduct a tasting of her estate’s exceptional wines, including Barbaresco, Barbera, Cortese, Chardonnay and Moscato d’Asti. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to meet Barbara Rocca and learn about the world-class wines of Piedmont!
(Barbaresco Tasting in Concord on Sat. Sept. 6, 2-5pm will have a selection of the Albino Rocca wines presented by our own internationally-recognized Barbaresco expert, Eric Broege– Barbara will not be there.)

Wines for the ALBINO-ROCCA tasting:
Wines for the ALBINO-ROCCA tasting:
Bianco
2007 ALBINO ROCCA Chardonnay “Bertu” $22
100% aged in stainless steel. Crisp and delicious citrus flavors with mineral undercurrent.

2006 ALBINO ROCCA Cortese “La Rocca” $32
100% Cortese aged in French barrique for 8 mos. Richer texture with ripe peach flavors, long aromatic finish with good intensity.

2007 ALBINO ROCCA Moscato d’Asti “Fiordaliso” $17.99 (dessert sparkling)

Rosso
2005 ALBINO ROCCA Barbera d’Alba “Gepin” $35
“Sexy, pungent aromas of cherry, currant, plum and spicy oak. Suave, ripe and complex, with a lush texture… Lively acidity extends the finish. 90 pts.“–IWC

2004 ALBINO ROCCA Barbaresco “Brich Ronchi” $65
“The 2004 Barbaresco Bric Ronchi reveals a deep, dark color and a full-bodied, weighty expression of ripe fruit. Long and sweet on the palate, this fat, ripe Barbaresco offers outstanding length and plenty of style. It was aged 70% in French oak (80% new) and 30% cask. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016. 92 pts.” –Wine Advocate

2001 ALBINO ROCCA Barbaresco “Brich Ronchi” $60
“The multi-dimensional 2001 Barbaresco Bric Ronchi, a saturated ruby, is soft and round, offering sensations of toasted oak, vanilla, ripe red fruits, macerated cherries, minerals and menthol with excellent length, and great freshness on the finish. Made from vines averaging 50-60 years and aged in barrique. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016. 92 pts.“–Wine Advocate

2001 ALBINO ROCCA Barbaresco “Loreto” $60
“Rocca’s 2001 Barbaresco Sori Loreto displays a dark ruby color and a gorgeous, complex, balsamic nose of spices, tobacco, leather, and menthol. This dense and chewy Barbaresco reveals layers of ripe red fruit and licorice flavors with outstanding substance on the palate in a masculine, authoritative style. Made from old vines and aged in a cask, Sori Loreto is the more austere of the two single-vineyard wines. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016. 91 pts.” –Wine Advocate