SORRY - Event cancelled - urgent family matter for Mr. Orzalese

ALTESINO BRUNELLO Seminar & Tasting featuring Mr. GUIDO ORZALESE, Managing Director

Mr. Orzalese will guide us through a tasting of Brunello di Montalcino at VINTAGES’ Belmont shop on Thursday, Feb. 11.

NEW TIME!

WHEN: Thurs. Feb. 11, 6:30-7:30pm
WHERE: VINTAGES Belmont Center
COST: $25/person, includes light appetizers
CALL: 617-484-4560 to reserve w/ cc

Wines in seminar:
2004 ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli $130
2004 ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino $75
2004 ALTESINO Rosso di Montalcino $30
2007 ALTESINO Rosso di Montalcino $30
2007 ALTESINO Rosso di Altesino $19.99
2006 ALTESINO Alte d’Altesi  $25

Founded in 1970’s, ALTESINO consists of three vineyards located NE of the village of Montalcino: Montosoli, La Velona and Altesino itself. The town is on a hill at an elevation of around 600m, which protects the Montosoli vineyard to the north, which lies at 390m. Altesino Brunello is sourced from a combination of these three vineyards, and in excellent vintages they produce a single vineyard Brunello “Montosoli.

Montosoli covers just 4 ha and is unusual in its north and NW exposure, rather than the sun-facing south. It is characterized by slightly lower temperatures, especially at night, so the flowering is a little longer and usually later than other areas. The hang-time at Montosoli is longer and it is usually the last vineyard to be harvested, a couple of days after Altesino and often 15 days after La Velona. The cooler microclimate is beneficial during summers of intense heat.

BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO
2004 IL POGGIONE Brunello di Montalcino $80 95 pts. (15% off six-pack)
Saving the best for last

$80/bottle; $68/bottle with 6-pak purchase!

NEW from Montalcino: CERBAIONA
2004 CERBAIONA Brunello di Montalcino 97 pts. $190 ($161.50 case price) VINTAGES EXCLUSIVE SOLD OUT!
Eric visited Diego Molinari in April at his small estate in Montalcino, one of the most privileged vineyard sites in Tuscany. Continue Reading »

2004 BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO SEMINAR
Friday, October 16, 7-8pm
VINTAGES Belmont $25
Don’t miss this opportunity to evaluate these selected 2004 Brunellos. Four 2004 Brunellos and one 2007 Rosso di Montalcino from VIAS Imports. Presented by Mike Petrizzo from VIAS and Eric Broege, VINTAGES. Special pricing offered to seminar participants. Call 617-484-4560 or email info@vintagesonline.com for more information or to reserve.

2004 ARGIANO Brunello di Montalcino $70
“beautiful Brunello that is more about elegance than sheer power alone. 92 pts.” -WA

2007 FOSSACOLLE Rosso di Montalcino $36
“a sensual expression of fruit… caressing, generous Rosso 90 pts.” -WA

TUSCAN SPECIAL:
2003 ARGIANO Brunello “Duemilatre” $40 (declassifed Brunello) 91 pts.
Special 15% off 6-pak

Il “Duemilatre di Argiano” is the declassified version of Argiano’s 2003 Brunello di Montalcino. Instead of its $75 price tag, this wine from Argiano’s top vineyards is now $40! With the purchase of a six-pak, the price is a blistering $34! 

“Argiano’s medium-bodied 2003 Brunello di Montalcino offers outstanding clarity and definition in its dark cherries, tobacco, earthiness and underbrush. The tannins of the vintage are there, but the wine is beautifully balanced and is just plain delicious. The Brunello spent a year in used French oak barrels followed by a year in cask. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018. 91 pts. –Wine Advocate

2004 ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino “MONTOSOLI” 95 pts. EXCLUSIVE

Eric Broege visited the Montalcino region and the Altesino estate in April to taste the vaunted 2004 Brunellos. He had a long visit and dinner with Guido Orzalesi, and tasted 2004’s as well as barrel samples from recent vintages. The verdict? A resounding “BRAVO!”

“Montosoli” is a five-hectare vineyard  northeast of Montalcino at an altitude of 350-400m. The grapes from this vineyard have been fermented and aged separately since the 1975 harvest.

2004 ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino “Montosoli” $120 95 pts.  “The estate’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli is a big, strapping wine loaded with dark fruit, smoke, new leather and minerals. The Montosoli, from one of Montalcino’s top sites, shows considerable density and richness. The tannins build on the finish, rounding out a gorgeous Brunello that achieves a brilliant combination of power and elegance. Drink: 2009-2022.”–Wine Advocate

“Shows meat and blackberry on the nose, with hints of rose perfume. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, rich and flavorful finish. Love the cocoa, berry and light vanilla bean aftertaste. This is always classic in an outstanding year. Best from 2010 through 2015. 1,500 cases made. 95 pts.”–WS

BRUNELLO & TUSCANY:
2004 ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino
We are pleased to offer two 2004 Brunellos from Altesino - the “normale” bottling has just arrived in the stores. The 2004 “Montosoli” is expected in Sept. — pre-order only at this time.

2004 ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino $75 - 92 pts. in store now!  “Exotic, enticing nose throws off notes of apricot, grapefruit, mango and mint: not your everyday Brunello! Then sexy, fresh and penetrating, with strong acidity accentuated by firm minerality. Intriguing and idiosyncratic, in a distinctly northerly style for Brunello.” -IWC

“Absolutely beautiful, tremendous, silky, traditional Brunello. Aromas and flavors of violets, cherry and raspberry. Regal and elegant in every way. 2,500 cases produced.” — Eric Broege, Montalcino visit 4/09

2004 ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino “Montosoli” $120/$102 95 pts.
Pre-order now (6+ bottles) for September delivery. Call Eric Broege 978-369-2545.
“The estate’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli is a big, strapping wine loaded with dark fruit, smoke, new leather and minerals. The Montosoli, from one of Montalcino’s top sites, shows considerable density and richness. The tannins build on the finish, rounding out a gorgeous Brunello that achieves a brilliant combination of power and elegance. Drink: 2009-2022.”-WA

“Shows meat and blackberry on the nose, with hints of rose perfume. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, rich and flavorful finish. Love the cocoa, berry and light vanilla bean aftertaste. This is always classic in an outstanding year. Best from 2010 through 2015. 1,500 cases made. 95 pts.”–WS

2004 MONTEVERTINE IGT $45
Eric visited Martino Manetti at his historic Radda in Chianti estate in April, and it wasn’t hard to understand that old-vine sangiovese, grown at high elevation in stony soil, with the utmost care and attentiion to detail, vinified traditionally (4+ weeks maceration never temperature controlled) would result in such a sublime wine. In a great vintage, expect exceptional wines from top producers such as MONTEVERTINE in Chianti. (The “MONTEVERTINE” bottling is their excellent mid-range wine; their top wine is the legendary “LE PERGOLE TORTE.”)

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.