BAROLO & BARBARESCO Wine Tasting Sat. May 17, 2-5pm (West Concord)
Celebrating the ALBA WINE EXHIBITION in Piedmont, Italy
Join us for a tasting of BAROLO & BARBARESCO from top producers in Italy’s Piedmont region. VINTAGES’ Eric Broege just returned from the prestigious ALBA WINE EXHIBITION, and will host this tasting of superb wines from favorite producers.
Three Barbarescos and three Barolos — and a newly-arrived Langhe white wine — a springtime favorite! Don’t miss out!
Barbaresco
2004 PAITIN BARBARESCO “Sori Paitin” $40
Eric met with Giovanni Pasquero to taste this classic example of Neive terroir: the predominantly clay soil creates a more powerful, bolder personality. “The 2004 Barbaresco Sori Paitin is intense and powerful in its expression of dark fruit, spices, earthiness and tar. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2019. 92 pts.” — Wine Advocate

2000 ROAGNA BARBARESCO “Paje” $62.
“Luca Roagna is one of the most promising young winemakers in the Langhe.” –WA
“Sweet, long and round, it reveals attractive layers of smoke, tar, cocoa, black cherries, cedar and tobacco in a big, full-bodied style. Ideally it is best cellared for a few years, but it also drinks beautifully today. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018. 91 pts.”-WA

1997 GIUSEPPE CORTESE BARBARESCO “RABAJA” $75 During a visit to the Cortese winery last year, Eric Broege asked Giuseppe if he had any “older” wines available — well, just so happens he did! The highly-touted 1997 vintage created some very sumptuous Barbaresco! We are thrilled to offer this perfectly-cellared, ready-to-drink Barbaresco from this small, traditional family estate that has always taken great care with their wines.

“The 1997 Rabaja is the finest Cortese Barbaresco I have tasted in over a decade. Aged completely in old foudres, it is a traditionally made Piedmontese exhibiting notes of root vegetables, raspberry and cherry jam, cedar and balsam wood, smoke, and minerals. The wine is full-bodied, powerful yet elegant, supple-textured, and surprisingly deep as well as delineated. Drink this hedonistic as well as intellectually satisfying Barbaresco over the next 10-12 years. 92 pts.”–Robert Parker

Barolo
2004 MARCARINI BAROLO “Brunate” $62 “Soaring aromatics emerge from the estate’s 2004 Barolo Brunate. Menthol, dark cherries, spices, new leather and licorice are all to be found in this generous, layered wine. Sweet, ripe tannins provide a lovely bookend to this rich, classic Barolo from the Brunate vineyard. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. 93 pts.”–Wine Advocate

2003 ROAGNA BAROLO “Vigna Rionda” $62 “The 2003 Barolo Vigna Rionda is the newest addition to the estate’s line-up. Barolo lovers are well aware that Vigna Rionda is one of the most legendary sites in wine, so a new label is sure to elicit a high level of interest. Roagna’s Vigna Rionda is made from the oldest and most historic part of the hill, the same plots that were the source of the most legendary Riondas made in the past. Roagna’s 2003 Barolo Vigna Rionda opens with the essence of rose petals followed by gorgeous layers of red cherries, baking spices, cocoa, leather, menthol and licorice. At once delicate and powerful, it captures the essence of this famed site with remarkable elegance. Barolo is never inexpensive, but this wine offers superb value for the money. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023. 92 pts.”– Wine Advocate

1993 ROAGNA BAROLO “Rocca e la Pira” Riserva $110 “Roagna’s 1993 Barolo Riserva La Rocca e La Pira spent a whopping eleven and a half years in oak! Its tannins have mostly melted away, leaving a sublime, ethereal Barolo redolent of dried roses, plums, prunes, baking spices, leather, menthol and anise. It possesses outstanding balance and enough underlying structure to drink well for another decade. The opportunity to purchase an older, ready-to-drink vintage directly from the producer doesn’t come around too often and Roagna should be commended for making wines like this 1993 Barolo Riserva available. It is a lovely effort. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2017. 92 pts.”–WA

white
2007 MARZIANO ABBONA Langhe Bianco “Valledell’olmo” $17.99 VINTAGES EXCLUSIVE
Spring pleasures: fragrant tree blossoms, gentle breezes, and Abbona “Valledell’olmo!” This aromatic blend of 70% Arneis and 30% Chardonnnay is a most welcome arrival each year. Lovely silky texture, with notes of pear, honeysuckle, and herbs. Just as spring blossoms are fleeting, so is this wine –they only make a tiny amount, and it’s gone all too quickly — run, don’t walk!