SOTTIMANO Barbaresco
FRI & SAT. MAR. 12 & 13,  BELMONT CENTER
Fri. 4-7pm; Sat. 3-6pm

“These 2006 Barbarescos from Rino and Andrea Sottimano are divine.” - Antonio Galloni, WA

Young Andrea and father Rino Sottimano have been forging ahead over the past decade to produce wines of outstanding quality at their small estate on the border of Neive and Barbaresco.  Sottimano produces rich and concentrated Barbarescos with deep color and fine-grained tannins from their cru vineyards of Cottà, Currà, Fausoni, Basarin and Pajoré. Conscientious and sustainable viticulture is practiced; natural yeasts are used; no filtering or fining. Founded in 1974, the estate comprises 13 ha of Barbaresco vineyards in Treiso & Neive along with Dolcetto, Barbera and “dry” Brachetto. Annual total production is 5,000 cases.

SPECIAL PRICING ON 2006 Sottimano Barbaresco — nearly 30% off! FRIDAY & SAT. ONLY!

2006 SOTTIMANO Barbaresco Cotta (Neive) 93 pts.  Special $51 net (Reg. $70) “The wine shows plenty of softness in its dark fruit, licorice, tar and smoke in a generous, enveloping style, capped off with a long, resonating finish. As is often the case, the Cotta is the most accessible and sensual of these 2006s. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. 93 pts.“– WA

2006 SOTTIMANO Barbaresco Curra (Neive) 93 pts. Special $51 net (Reg. $70) “The 2006 Barbaresco Curra is a powerful, intense wine that impresses for its focus, length and balance. The Curra doesn’t have the immediacy or roundness of the Fausoni, but it compensates with incredible drive and persistence. Tobacco, licorice, roses, spices and red cherries add layers of nuance on the close. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. 93 pts.”-WA

2006 SOTTIMANO Barbaresco Fausoni (Neive) 94 pts. Special $51 net (Reg. $70) “The 2006 Barbaresco Fausoni reveals a gorgeous core of cherries in liqueur, menthol, spices and flowers in a surprisingly rich, round style for the vintage. The wine possesses terrific harmony and balance, with a round, polished finish. Floral notes reappear on the finish, giving the wine a pretty sense of lift. In 2006 the Fausoni is all about elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. 94 pts.”-WA

2006 SOTTIMANO Barbaresco Pajore (Treiso) 92 pts. Special $51 net (Reg. $70) “Sottimano’s 2006 Barbaresco Pajore shows its tell-tale notes of spices, menthol, minerals and dark fruit, on a medium bodied, sinewy frame. The Pajore offers terrific balance with notes of tar, smoke and licorice that come to life on the finish. Patience is the key here, but this remains the most compact and clenched of the 2006s. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. 92 pts.”-WA

2007 SOTTIMANO Langhe Nebbiolo 91 pts.  $22 “Sottimano’s Langhe Nebbiolo is made from young vines in the Basarin vineyard in Barbaresco and spends 14 months in French oak. It is a Barbaresco in everything but name… This is a very serious bottle of wine for $25.”–WA

PRE-ARRIVAL OFFER
2005 PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO RISERVAS $65

The 2005 vintage is here! And we were there!

VINTAGES’ Eric & Carolyn were visiting wine cellars in Barbaresco with friends Mark & Teresa Garti in September 2005 during the harvest. While we didn’t plan it that way –the ‘05 picking time was earlier than usual — it was very exciting to be there and experience the excitement first-hand. In fact, the photo at the top of this email shows a basket of freshly-harvested 2005 nebbiolo grapes from the Montestefano vineyard! More photos from that trip are in the Concord store.

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Asili” $65 “Sweet, sensual and perfumed. Today the wine remains extremely reticent, but the tannins show extraordinary purity and silkiness, suggesting the only thing missing is time. For now the 2005 Asili shows great integrity in its dark red fruit, with notable persistence on the palate and a round, powerful close. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 93 pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Moccagatta” $65 “One of the more compact, linear wines in this vintage. The Moccagatta offers up sensations of bright red fruits, flowers, spices and vanilla in a rather unyielding style. The wine should improve in bottle but the tannins will likely always remain somewhat firm. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 90 pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Montefico” $65  “Simply beautiful in the way it combines elements of florality and structure, which makes it one of the more complex, multi-faceted wines in 2005. Sweet roses blossom on the palate, followed by succulent ripe raspberries, mint and baking spices. As the wine sits in the glass the layers continue to fill out, revealing a wine of first-class pedigree. This is an exceptional effort from the Produttori! Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 93 pts.”–WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Montestefano” $65 “Reveals a seamless core of sweet roses, ripe, juicy raspberries and spices, all of which come together in a round, sensual expression of Nebbiolo. In 2005 the Montestefano possesses terrific freshness, detail and vibrancy. Licorice, leather and anise linger on the sublime finish. The Montestefano is one of the highlights among these Riservas. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 93 pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Ovello” $65 “Usually one of the more reticent of the estate’s Riservas, but in 2005 it is especially unyielding. Still firm and tightly wound, the wine possesses notable detail and clarity in its fruit in a focused, compact style. Based on previous experience, I may very well be underestimating this wine, but only time will tell for sure. After several hours the Ovello opened up nicely and my impression is it will develop into a splendid Barbaresco with time. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 92+ pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Paje” $65 “Opens with a blast of tar, menthol and smoke that leads to dark cherries, plums, leather and licorice. This is an especially powerful, shut-down Barbaresco at this stage, but with time in bottle the layers should fill out quite nicely. Today it remains compact and in need of further time in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 91 pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARECO RIS. “Pora”$65 “Wonderfully layered in its dark cherries, spices, menthol, licorice and minerals. The medium-bodied Pora is one of the firmer and more linear Riservas in 2005. Still, it shows exceptional balance in a powerful style that will require a measure of patience. Here, too, the finish is wonderfully elegant. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 92+ pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Rabaja” $65 “Reveals gorgeous inner perfume in a powerful, structured style. This is a big, hulking Barbaresco, but its potential is evident, as the wine’s balance is impeccable. Still, readers will have to exercise considerable patience here. I have seldom been disappointed by older bottles of the Rabaja and expect the 2005 will turn out to be another fine vintage for this bottling as well. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030. 94 pts.” — WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Rio Sordo” $65 “Jumps from the glass with an exciting array of freshly cut roses, spices and raspberries. The 2005 is an especially dense, rich Rio Sordo endowed with superb depth and great overall balance. Floral notes accompany the wine from start to finish in an irresistible display of the perfume that makes Barbaresco such a sexy wine. In 2005 the Rio Sordo is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025. 92 pts.” –WA

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

NEW from PIEDMONT 95 pts!
A new generation of winemakers take center stage!

2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco & 2005 RENATO RATTI Barolo
VINTAGES is excited to present these long-awaited releases from two of our favorite Piedmont producers: Pietro Ratti of RENATO RATTI and Renato Vacca of CANTINA del PINO. Renato and Pietro are not only superb winemakers coming into their own, but our very dear friends. We are very excited for their incredible success and thrilled to share their wines with our customers!

CANTINA del PINO, Barbaresco
Renato Vacca is an understated, handsome guy, yet intense and focused. We have supported his wines since his start in 1997 and have been thrilled to see his meteoric rise to Barbaresco stardom! “This year, Vacca has a new Barbaresco from the Albesani vineyard - and it is a knockout. Despite all of his recent success Vacca remains humble and down to earth, qualities that should serve him very well for the future. Readers should do whatever they can to taste these wines, the Barbarescos in particular.” — Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate. We say: Fantastico!

2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco “Albesani” $65 95 pts. VINTAGES Exclusive; “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. This large-scaled, superb Barbaresco will require patience, but is a classic in the making. 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 in the hillside of the same name in Neive 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

2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco “Ovello” $65 95 pts. Awarded “5 Grappoli” by Italian Sommeliers Assoc. SOLD OUT!
Renato’s “Ovello” cru Barbaresco is always a marvel of purity, balance, intense aromas, and precise flavors. He has tremendous fruit to work with and skillfully guides it into barrel and bottle. “The 2005 Barbaresco Ovello is another magnificent Barbaresco from Renato Vacca. The Ovello is decidedly more powerful and taut in its expression of red cherries, flowers, minerals, and menthol although it is just as compelling as the Albesani. The wine offers exceptional length and a long, powerful finish. The wine continues to improve in the glass, but it remains a decidedly energetic, youthful Barbaresco in need of significant cellaring. In a word: majestic. Ovello sees greater temperature fluctuations from day to night than Albesani. The microclimate, along with the poorer, white soils give the Ovello its signature focus and drive. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 95 pts.”–WA

NEW ARRIVALS: TRADITIONAL PIEDMONT

2006 Albino Rocca ‘La Rocca’ $30 is made from 100% Cortese (the same grape as Gavi) and aged in French oak barrels. 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. Baked spiced apples, pie crust, carmel and vanilla cream, with notes of buttery, toasty oak. On the palate the wine has tremendous freshness, crisp apples, 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!

2005 Guido Porro ‘Vigneto “Santa Caterina” Barbera D’Alba $17.99 This traditional, gulp-able Barbera from Kermit Lynch is the real deal — Barbera as it should be, pure and fresh, not over-oaked or overwrought. Guido Porro, a small artisanal producer based in Serralunga, makes wines with a remarkable purity and clarity — qualities that have become quite rare. Jump on it!

2004 PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO $34 (Exclusive)

2004 PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO “La Torre” $34 VINTAGES Exclusive
Friend & Produttori wine director ALDO VACCA had a little extra 2004 Barbaresco in his cellar, and he generously agreed to send it directly to VINTAGES! It remains, as always, an outstanding value in traditional Barbaresco.
“Produttori del Barbaresco continues to be a terrific source for well-priced wines. The estate’s 2004 Barbaresco is very sweet and pretty, with spiced, floral aromas that are delicately woven into a fabric of ripe fruit. With air, herbal and balsamic overtones emerge, adding further complexity. The wine offers outstanding length, silky tannins and a fresh, inviting finish. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016. 90 pts.” — WA

WINE TASTING: CANTINA del PINO, Barbaresco
Old vines, modern wines

FRI. MAY 29, 4:30-7PM, BELMONT
SAT. MAY 30, 1-5pm, WEST CONCORD
VINTAGES is always delighted to present the superb wines of our good friend, RENATO VACCA. Through visits back and forth, and our long-time support of his wines, we have forged a close friendship with Renato as well as a greater understanding of wines and winemaking in Piedmont. During our recent trip to Italy, we enjoyed Renato’s company at numerous dinners, cafes, and a long visit at his cellar in Barbaresco.  If you don’t yet know the excellent wines of Cantina del Pino, we encourage you to take this opportunity!

Renato Vacca, 3rd-generation grower, 1st-generation winemaker. Renato’s family was a long-time member of the Produttori del Barbaresco, the region’s top cooperative producer. In the mid-1990’s Renato and his father, Adriano, left the Produttori to establish their own estate, Cantina del Pino. 1997 was the first vintage bottled by Renato, and he’s never looked back. One of the new generation of producers in Barbaresco, Renato quickly proved to be a very skillful winemaker– certainly the family’s 70- year-old vineyards in the Ovello district offer a favorable advantage. Renato combines tradition with modern techniques to create classic wines, with true varietal character and pure flavors, in a beautifully elegant, age-worthy style. VINTAGES has long been a big fan of Cantina del Pino, as are many of our customers. Please join us Friday or Saturday and find out why!

WINES featured at the tasting Fri. & Sat.

2007 BRUNO GIACOSA Roero Arneis $38
“Bruno Giacosa’s Arneis is a knockout in 2007. This beautiful white reveals gorgeous inner sweetness in its ripe apricots, peaches and flowers. Although the wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation, it comes across as lush and full-bodied, with suggestions of botrytis that linger on the finish. 90 Pts.”"–Wine Advocate

2007 CANTINA del PINO Dolcetto d’Alba $15.99
A beautiful example of Dolcetto from one of the finest terroirs in the world, Barbaresco. Bright garnet-colored to violet-rimmed, with fresh red cherry fruit on the long powdery mineral finish. A perennial best-selling red wine for us that also demonstrates what a tremendous value Dolcetto can be from a great producer.

2006 CANTINA del PINO Langhe Nebbiolo $25
“Nebbiolo delle Langhe” is only required to be 85% nebbiolo and can be made from grapes grown anywhere in the Langhe. In Renato’s case, his Langhe Nebbiolo is 100% grown in Barbaresco from young vines in Ovello, Albesani (Santo Stefano), and Starderi. Extremely fresh and juicy but with fine, gripping tannins that are the hallmark of Nebbiolo from Barbaresco.

2006 CANTINA del PINO Barbera d’Alba $32
Quite simply one of the best examples of Barbera made for any price! Renato’s Barbera is unique in that it is made from 60+ year-old vines growing in one of most storied vineyard sites in Barbaresco, the vineyard of Cassotto in the cru Ovello. Made in an absolutely pure and un-adulterated fashion, this is Barbera at it’s best, ripe dark cherry fruit with beautiful vibrant acidity, and notes of toasty oak.  

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  94 pts!

SPECIAL 20% OFF case orders!
“2004 Barbaresco Ovello ..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. It should develop beautifully over the following years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. 94 pts.” –Wine Advocate

VINTAGES goes to Piedmont, Italy!
Total Immersion in Barolo & Barbaresco

VINTAGES owners return from ALBA Wine Exhibition in Piedmont, Italy
Eric & Carolyn just returned from a week-long stay in Barolo & Barbaresco as part of the annual ALBA WINE EXHIBITION. This prestigious, invitation-only program offers the opportunity for a comprehensive evaluation of the new releases of Barolo and Barbaresco and other Piedmont wines.

Each morning began with a 2-3 hour tasting of 150+ wines organized by appellation and type. This is not a pick & choose situation; each participant tastes and evaluates every single wine. Informative? You bet. Following that, we made appointments each day with several top wineries in Barolo and Barbaresco; some familiar, some new discoveries. More regional tastings in the afternoon offered access to different wines and vintages. Finally, dinners with — you guessed it - more wine! This week-long program is nothing less than a total immersion in Barolo and Barbaresco and the wine traditions of the Piedmont region. Engaging work, indeed - all with the goal of evaluating and selecting only the very best wines for VINTAGES’ discerning customers!

VINTAGES was the only wine merchant from New England invited to participate in the Alba Wine Exhibition. This tremendous opportunity was earned through our ongoing commitment to– and knowledge of– the wines of Italy’s Piedmont region.

Each week, we will highlight a Piedmont producer we visited during our trip. We invite you to investigate these small-production wines that continue to express the distinctive character of this fascinating region and its indigenous grapes.
THIS WEEK: CANTINA del PINO, Barbaresco

VINTAGES CELLAR SELECTIONS
BARBARESCO & CALIFORNIA

VERY LIMITED-EXCEPTIONAL CELLAR SELECTION
BRUNO GIACOSA 2004 Barbaresco Asili Red Label Riserva 98 pts! $390/btl (case price $331.50/btl)
“The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is even more compelling than the Rabaja. It floats on the palate with an ethereal core of sweet fruit that calls to mind a profound Musigny, but with the unmistakable structure of Nebbiolo. The perfumed purity of the fruit carries all the way through to the deeply satisfying, resonating finish. Made in a soft, seductive style, this remarkable wine is decidedly more approachable and easy to appreciate today than the Rabaja. The Asili should prove more accessible at an earlier age. Bruno Giacosa says his 2004 Asili Riserva will turn out to be just like his 2000 Asili Riserva, the wine he still thinks is the best he’s ever made. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. 98 POINTS.” -Wine Advocate

CELLAR SELECTION: PETER MICHAEL CHARDONNAY & CABERNET BLEND
2007 PETER MICHAEL CHARDONNAY “Belles Cotes” $85  “The 2007 Chardonnay Belle Cote is sensational. An intoxicating nose of lemon blossoms, poached pear, white peach, and crushed stone soars from the glass of this full-bodied wine. It has zesty acidity, great purity, length, and depth, and is certainly a profound example of Chardonnay from hillside vineyards in Knight’s Valley. This wine should drink well for up to a decade. 97 pts.” -Wine Advocate

2006 PETER MICHAEL “Les Pavots” Proprietary Red $195  “The 2006 Les Pavots (a 2,730-case blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot) exhibits big notes of chocolate fudge intermixed with dark berry fruit, forest floor, underbrush, and some smoky oak. The wine is full-bodied, with remarkable intensity, low acidity, and a fleshy, opulent mouthfeel. This wine should drink well for 15-20+ years. 96 pts.” -Wine Advocate

WINE TASTING SAT. MAY 9, 12-4:30pm (Concord) & 5-6:30pm (Belmont)

Aldo Vacca, director of the PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO, is presenting the winery’s 2004 Barbaresco single-vineyard Riservas on Saturday, May 9– only at VINTAGES- Adventures in wine. This special opportunity is offered for VINTAGES’ customers, as well as those who are intending to purchase 2004 Barbarescos at the tasting. Aldo will be happy to answer your questions regarding the different cru vineyard characteristics, recommended cellaring, and the Produttori’s winemaking traditions.

WEST CONCORD store: Sat. May 9, 12:00-4:30pm

BELMONT store: Sat. May 9, 5-6:30pm (followed by Barbaresco Wine Dinner @ IL CASALE 7:30pm, $125/person inclusive — space is available; call to reserve 617-484-4560.)

WINES selected for the tasting:

2007 PRODUTTORI Langhe Nebbiolo $22

2005  PRODUTTORI Barbaresco “La Torre” $34

2004 PRODUTTORI del Barbaresco ASILI Riserva $68

2004 PRODUTTORI del Barbaresco MONTEFICO $68

2004 PRODUTTORI del Barbaresco MONTESTEFANO $68

2004 PRODUTTORI del Barbaresco OVELLO $68

2004 PRODUTTORI del Barbaresco PAJE $68