A toast to the newest member of the VINTAGES’ team: McLean Oakeson

McLean recently moved up to Boston from Richmond, Virginia. In her former life, she was the wine shop manager of Barrel Thief Wine Shop & Cafe, as well as the board director (and singer) of a classical chamber choir. She also recently received her CSW, Certified Specialist of Wine, from the Society of Wine Educators.

We are excited to welcome McLean to VINTAGES and to Boston! Next time you’re in the Belmont shop, please stop and say hello!

WINE DOG DEAL!
Tremendous value!
2003 ZERBINA Pietramora Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva Reg. $50 Now $25

The 2003 PIETRAMORA Sangiovese riserva is a full-bodied sangiovese that is the antithesis of the elegance and finese of chianti. Weighing in at a whopping 15 percent alcohol, with hugh chewy tannins, this is an ideal cold-weather wine, hearty and robust with deep black fruits…..think big cab or bordeaux.
Ferdy worked his tail off to get a great deal on this “Tre Bicchieri” award winner from the Gambero Rosso. WOOF!

HAPPY 2010! VINTAGES celebrates ten years of Wine Adventures 2000-2010!

Ten years of tastings, trips & toasts — and a whole lotta great wine– since we began in January, 2000. We raise our glass to our awesome & adventurous customers:  thanks for 10 great years–here’s to 10 more! Stay tuned for upcoming events!

VINTAGES Online Store is a more convenient way to purchase VINTAGES Gift Cards for family & friends. Just click on the VINTAGES Store tab!

CANTINA del PINO: Barbaresco to cellar and savor from Renato Vacca

CELLAR: Sublime!

2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco “Albesani” $65 95 pts.  “Tre Bicchieri” - Gambero Rosso
“The sublime, gorgeous 2005 Barbaresco Albesani is laced with the essence of dark cherries, flowers, spices, minerals on a rich, textured frame. With time in the glass, the wine’s inner perfume emerges more fully in a dazzling, totally polished style. Cantina del Pino’s Barbaresco Albesani is a new bottling from a parcel that also contains Santo Stefano, one of the most storied vineyards in the world. The microclimate here is quite warm, which contributes to the wine’s richness and body. Readers will not want to miss this superb effort, which is easily one of the finest 2005 Barbarescos. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 95 pts.”-WA

SAVOR: Outstanding Value $32 (35% off)
2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco Special $40 (Reg. $49) Case price: $32/btl! (35% off!)
“The 2005 Barbaresco is a gorgeous, captivating Barbaresco that reveals superb depth in its sweet red cherries, menthol, pine, spices and minerals. The wine is vibrant and poised, with firm tannins that give it a somewhat austere personality. With some time in the glass its perfumed core of sweet fruit emerges, and a few years in bottle should help it come together even more. This is a very pretty Barbaresco from Cantina del Pino. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2023. 92 pts.” -Wine Advocate

WINE DOG Loves to Party!
Spice up your holidays with party selections from VINTAGES! This week, Ferdy the Wine Dog has sniffed out two new favorites from FIORINI, red and white:

2008 FIORINI Sirio Sangiovese $12.99  Juicy, vibrant cherry and red berry fruit, soft tannins.

2008 FIORINI Sant Ilario Bianchello $12.99
Delicate aromas, ripe pear and citrus flavors with refreshing minerality.

By the case, $11.04/bottle!

NEW from BURGUNDY
We highly recommend these red & white burgundies, recently tasted and drinking beautifully!

2006 DOM. FOURRIER Chambolle-Musigny $75
“The Fourrier ’06s are very impressive and worth a close look … they are ultra pure wines fashioned in an elegant and understated style.”- Burghound
Aromas of raspberry, flowers and crushed stone in the perfumed nose. Leans toward raspberry liqueur, yet maintains freshness. Powdery tannins on the long finish. Beautiful!

CROWD PLEASERS!

TURKEY-FRIENDLY WINES

WHITES
2007 LA TOSA”Rio del Tordo” Bianco $14.99 Exclusive
White peach & ripe pear flavors with a refreshing finish! Great with savory root vegetables, sweet potatoes, and turkey!

2007 KUENTZ-BAS Pinot d’Alsace $12.99
Inviting blend of sylvaner, chasselas, and auxerrois that is focused & pure. A marvel of charm and precision! Classic table companion.

2008 VALLE REALE Trebbiano d’Abruzzo $12.99
Rich, inviting fruit; lush texture - amazing value!

2008 LE CAPITAINE Vouvray $13.99
Burst of ripe pear fruit with a crisp mouthwatering finish! Another classic and a tremendous value.

REDS

2006 DOM. de FONTSAINTE Corbieres $12.99
Featured in the Boston Globe Turkey Plonk this week! Berry fruit with notes of tobacco and cocoa. Sweet, chewy tannins. A lot of flavor in a mid-weight drinkable red.

2008 DOM. BURGAUD “Chateau Thulon” Beaujolais Village $11.99 Beautiful old-vine Beaujolais - perfumed nose, fine sweet tannins, a true gem!
 
2008 FATTORIA del CERRO Chianti Colli Senesi $14.99 Exclusive A juicy sangiovese hits the spot! Red berry fruit, yet refreshing.

2006 SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA Chianti Classico $14.99
Classic Chianti from Greve - elegant, powdery tannins.

2007 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Cotes du Rhone “La Font Blanche” $13.99 Aromas of herbal scrub; berry fruit, woodsy notes on palate.

2005 GUIDO PORRO Barbera d’Alba $17.99
Traditional in the best possible way. Balanced fruit and acidity; smooth finish.

2008 THURNHOF Santa Magdelener $15.99
Ruby plum color, soft and juicy red from the schiava grape.  Delightful foil to Thanksgiving’s heft.

Perfectly Pink
2008 OTTELLA “RosesRoses” Rosato $14.99 Exclusive
Brighten your outlook through rosé-colored glasses around your table! Abundant fruit with a refreshing finish.

TURKEY-FRIENDLY WINES!
VINTAGES Recommendations

WHITES
2005 SAN FEREOLO “Coste di Riavolo” Langhe Bianco $25 Exclusive
Simply one of the most outstanding wines for the Thanksgiving table ever made! Blend of riesling and traminer from vineyards adjacent to Nicoletta’s house in Dogliani. Stands up to all side dishes, whether sweet or savory; satisfies both the sophisticated and “sweet-tooth” wine drinker. HIGHLY Recommended.

2006 ALBINO ROCCA “La Rocca” Bianco $30
The 06 ‘La Rocca’ is a deep golden color, weighty and viscous with a beautifully complex and rich bouquet of apple pie ‘al la mode’ & buttered popcorn. On the palate, the wine has tremendous freshness, crisp apple flavors, lively acidity, and powdery minerals, a hallmark of great wines made in Barbaresco. In short, a gorgeous, full-bodied white wine of great richness and complexity. HIGHLY recommended.

These “aromatic” style wines from Italy are such perfect partners for the “bird,” it seems that they’re made just for our holiday. Fragrant, aromatic, fruit-driven wines, light on their feet. Continue Reading »

TURKEY-FRIENDLY WINES!
VINTAGES Recommendations for RED

REDS
2007 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Chateauneuf du Pape $40
(Yes, Parker has two “brilliants” in his opening sentence reviewing this wine.) “The brilliant 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition (made from 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre) is brilliant. ….The wine is expansive, savory, very fleshy, and totally disarming in its explosive aromatics and lush, opulent flavor…. 92 pts.”-WA  This Chateauneuf gets bonus points for vibrancy… HIGHLY Recommended.
 
2007 DOM. ROBERT CHEVILLON Bourgogne Rouge $30 “A pretty, even elegant red pinot fruit nose trimmed in a bit of warm earth leads to supple, round and attractively complex flavors that are quite forward yet impeccably well balanced. Outstanding Top Value!”-Burghound  An elegant choice, from this traditional estate in Nuits-St. Georges. HIGHLY Recommended. Continue Reading »