WINE TASTING: BAROLO & BARBARESCO featuring CANTINA del PINO and FERDINANDO PRINCIPIANO
Fri. Nov. 7 Belmont 4:30-7:30pm
Sat. Nov. 8 Concord 1-5pm

VINTAGES is very excited to present these new releases from two up-and-coming “leading lights” of the Piedmont wine scene — winemakers and friends RENATO VACCA and FERDINANDO PRINCIPIANO. VINTAGES has supported the wines of these two young producers for the past several years; it’s great to see them beginning to take the stage and receive the acclaim their wines deserve. Join us in Belmont or Concord for a tasting of these newly-arrived Barolos and Barbarescos.

CANTINA del PINO, Ovello district in Barbaresco
“Proprietor Renato Vacca has emerged as one of the leading lights of Barbaresco within just the last few years.”
“Cantina del Pino is a great source for top-notch wines from Barbaresco. Readers who are new to Barbaresco and want to experience the essence of what these wines are all about without spending a fortune should start here.”–Wine Advocate

RENATO VACCA and his father belonged to the Produttori del Barbaresco (his father was a founding member) until Renato decided to strike out on his own in 1997. Located in the prime Ovello district, Vacca’s vineyards are on a hillside overlooking the landmark tower in the village of Barbaresco. Low-key, yet intensely driven, Renato deftly combined traditional and modern techniques to create his captivating, elegant, yet age-worthy barbarescos and lush barberas. We can’t say enough about Renato and his fabulous wines – Bravo, Renato!

PRINICIPIANO, Serralunga district, Barolo
When we met FERDINANDO at his Barolo estate a few years ago, he was just beginning the major project of reworking his vineyards towards the goal of higher quality fruit. With some nice parcels in Serralunga and Monforte d’Alba, success won’t be long in coming. “Ferdinando Principiano has made some radical changes in his approach, the most important of which are in the vineyards, where he is now pursuing much lower yields. Nature’s cycles are of course slow, and it often takes vines a few years to adapt to such changes. It will be interesting to follow developments here over the next few years.” –Wine Advocate Way to go, Ferdi!

WINES for the tasting: 2 Barbarescos, 2 Barolos, 2 Barberas and more!

2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco $49
“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

2004 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco “Ovello” $65
“I have been looking forward to tasting the estate’s 2004 Barbaresco Ovello for some time. It is an exceptional wine that expresses the pedigree of the vintage in its sweet, expansive personality. Ripe dark fruit, toasted oak and balsamic nuances are all woven together in a powerful, structured style. Ovello is one of the cooler micro-climates in Barbaresco and this wine remains quite powerful and tannic today. It should develop beautifully over the following years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. 94 pts.” –Wine Advocate

2006 CANTINA del PINO Barbera d’Alba $32
From 50+ year old vines in the heart of the Ovello district. A beautiful example of Barbera– always a VINTAGES’ favorite!

2007 PRINCIPIANO Nebbiolo Langhe Coste $23
Notes from Eric’s visit in May 2008: 2007 was a tremendous vintage! The ‘07 Nebbiolo offers very fresh and delicate fruit. Roses and toasted pine nuts on the nose.

2006 PRINCIPIANO Barbera “La Romualda” $42
Eric’s notes from May 2008: “Deep and powerful; intense. Tremendous wine, deep dark cherries.”

2006 PRINCIPIANO Barolo “Serralunga” $39
“Principiano’s 2004 Barolo Serralunga is surprisingly soft and ethereal for a wine from this village in 2004. Medium in body, it reveals macerated cherries, smoke, earthiness and licorice, with excellent length on the palate and an approachable, finessed personality. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016.” –Wine Advocate

2004 PRINCIPIANO Barolo “Boscareto” $98
“The 2004 Barolo Boscareto is a more vibrant and larger-scaled wine than the Serralunga. It presents lovely harmony in an expression of dark cherries, plums, spices, toasted oak and menthol, showing terrific overall balance and well-integrated tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2019. 90 pts.”–Wine Advocate

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