wine tasting Feb. 26 & 27
Small Domaines–Big Flavor: Wines of Rosenthal
Concord & Belmont
Fri. FEB. 26, 4-7pm, Belmont
Sat. FEB. 27, 2-6pm, Concord

Importer and wine merchant Neal Rosenthal has traveled the backroads of France for more than 30 years, seeking out small family domaines that take great pride in their land and their traditions. There’s a difference you can taste in these authentic, artisan wines – the warmth and enjoyment that comes from something handcrafted and homemade!

white
2008 DOM. CHEVEAU Macon Fuisse “Les Grandes Bruyeres” $22 (Macon, Burgundy)
Nicolas Cheveau is the third generation to uphold the family tradition of their Maconnais domaine.  At this 14-ha estate based in Pouilly, grapes are hand-harvested and farmed without fertilizers.  100% Chardonnay from  40-yr-old vines from a small parcel just south of Mâcon.
 
2007 CH. DE L’EPERONNIERE Savennieres Croix Picot $25 (Loire Valley)
After Pierre-Yves Tijou retired and sold Chateau Soucherie, his youngest son Mathieu has continued his family’s legacy with Chateau de l’Eperonniere. Mathieu Tijou has produced this aromatic and beautifully complex & compelling Chenin Blanc –truly exceptional!
 
red
2008 COMMANDERIE DE PEYRASSOL La Croix Vin de Pays de Mediterranee  (Provence, France) $14.99 Commanderie de Peyrassol, once owned by Templar Knights centuries ago, was transformed by the Rigord family in the 70’s.  Philippe Austruy purchased Peyrassol in 2001, and has taken Provencal tradition to heart with tantalizingly pale roses, aromatic whites and luscious reds.  “La Croix” is a  blend of Grenache, Syrah, and a touch of old-vine Cabernet– a great match for hearty, warming dishes.
 
2007 DOM. FAILLENC SAINTE MARIE Corbieres $15.99 (Languedoc) Corbieres is a large area in western Languedoc with a dramatic landscape and a long history under vine. Faillenc Ste. Marie, however, is a very small domaine certified ‘organic’ that has been brought to life by the Gibert family. Jean-Baptiste Gibert has now taken the reins. This distinctive style of Corbieres rouge is intensely flavored and concentrated, yet lively on the palate. Blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault.
 
2006 MAS CAL DEMOURA L’Infidele Coteaux du Languedoc $25 In the 70’s, when most Languedoc producers were closing down, Jean-Pierre Jullien named his domaine “Cal Demoura” (one must remain).  Today, the estate is run by Burgundy-trained Vincent and Isabelle Goumard.  “L’Infidele” is considered the historic cuvee of the domaine, blending Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre and Carignan. A rich and full, yet complex and vibrant red.
“L’Infidele displays an uncanny combination of palate richness and viscosity with vivacious brightness of fruit and fine-grained tannin.“ –WA

WINE DOG DEAL: Burgundy Chardonnay from Jean Rijkaert
2006 JEAN RIJKAERT St. Veran “En Avonne” Vieilles Vignes $19.99
Vibrant citrus and quince aromas are highlighted with honeysuckle. Peach & pear flavors combine depth and energy, picking up a pleasantly bitter lime pith quality on the finish. Wonderful supple texture and clarity of flavor.

ROSENTHAL WINE TASTING, Part II (Concord)
Fri. Dec. 12 4:30-7:30pm with Eric Broege
SAT. DEC. 13, 2-5pm with MICHAEL KANE of Rosenthal
Please join us for another taste of the distinctive, terroir-driven wines of Rosenthal Wine Merchant. For thirty years, Neal Rosenthal has carefully selected artisanal wines that profoundly express their origins and traditions. The informative and inspiring MICHAEL KANE of Rosenthal will be at VINTAGES’ in West Concord on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2-5pm to present the wines.

PAOLO BEA, Montefalco, Umbria
“Paolo Bea’s wines represent the finest of the artisan approach to winemaking. Bea farms his vineyards naturally. The wines are made in a traditional style that calls for extended periods of skin contact and several years of aging. At their best these are finessed, expressive wines of the highest level in a style that recalls the Brunellos of Soldera or the Barolos of Giuseppe Rinaldi, to name just two producers with a similar aesthetic.” – Wine Advocate

ROSENTHAL IMPORTS WINE TASTING
featuring MICHAEL KANE of Rosenthal
SAT. DEC. 6, 2-5pm, BELMONT store

Please join us for a taste of the distinctive, terroir-driven wines of Rosenthal Wine Merchant. For thirty years, Neal Rosenthal has carefully selected artisanal wines that profoundly express their origins and traditions — “the best of wines will always proudly tell you from where they come.”
The informative and inspiring MICHAEL KANE of Rosenthal will be at VINTAGES’ Belmont shop 2-5pm to present the wines. Michael is a veritable fountain of precise and passionate knowledge about what’s in your glass! No “tasting notes” necessary!

BURGUNDY FESTIVAL!

WINE TASTING: BURGUNDY WINE FEST, FRI. & SAT. NOV. 14 & 15

TWO DAYS, TWO STORES, TWO LINE-UPS, Too Fabulous

FRI & SAT NOV. 14-15 VINTAGES BELMONT & CONCORD

The eternal allure of Burgundy; the original–and still the ultimate– expression of both chardonnay and pinot noir! Our selection represents not only renowned appellations, but the meticulous work done by these conscientious producers who reliably create the best wines of each vintage. Recent vintages — 2004, 2005 & the balanced 2006 — have created some very compelling wines. What’s so great about Burgundy? Tasting is believing! Please join us! The wines for Belmont are below; West Concord follows.
BURGUNDY FEST in BELMONT
Fri. Nov. 14, 4:30-7:30 & Sat. Nov. 15 1-6pm (or until wine runs out)
15% discount on any 12 bottles from the tasting!

white
2006 DOM. J.A. FERRET Pouilly-Fuisse “Les Sceles” $27 ($22.95) The last vintage of this highly-regarded estate; balanced, expressive, and delicious! Aromas of blossoms and ripe orchard fruit with hints of wood lead to rich, full and round flavors with a generous and sappy finish. Ready for celebrating!

2006 JEAN-MARC PILLOT Saint-Romain Blanc $38 ($32.30) “Fresher and cooler with bright green fruit notes that can also be found on the racy, sweet and detailed flavors underpinned by a trace of minerality and an agreeably dry finish.” –Burghound

2006 GUFFENS-HEYNEN Macon-Pierreclos “En Crazy” $35 ($29.75) “Wild, intensely floral bouquet of lime, tangerine, licorice and magnolia. Tangy citrus flavors gain depth and power with air, picking up bitter pear skin and green cardamom on the close. Offers wonderful clarity and finishing lift.” -IWC

red
2005 JEAN-MARC PILLOT Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge 1er “Les Macherelles” $49 ($41.65) “A more elegant and refined nose blends notes of black and blue pinot fruit, pepper and violet aromas that introduce detailed and attractively precise flavors that exude a fine if discreet sense of underlying minerality on the suave, complex and satisfying finish.” –Burghound

2005 CHANDON de BRIAILLES Pernand Vergellesses Rouge $45 ($38.25) “A brooding nose of dark berry fruits. Medium-bodied; flavors are sweet, elegant, pure, transparent and delicious while possessing terrific definition and brimming with an intense minerality on the beautifully long finish.”

2004 FRANCOIS GAUNOUX Pommard “Tavannes” $52 ($44.20) Run by father and daughter team Francois and Claudine Gaunoux, they combine modern techniques with traditional methods to produce top quality wine, starting, of course, with exceptional vineyard work.

BURGUNDY FEST IN WEST CONCORD

Fri. Nov. 14, 4:30-7:30 & Sat. Nov. 15 1-6pm (or until wine runs out)
(Bottle price followed by price for case purchase)

whites
2006 d’ANGERVILLE Meursault “Santenots” $75 ($63.75) “A very subtle hint of pain grillé frames an expressive nose of floral aromas, in particular acacia and here too there are discreet notes of straw that are picked up by the rich, full and precise flavor that possess fine balance on the sappy and mouth coating finish. I particularly like the underlying tension that imparts a sense of vibrancy. Lovely! Outstanding!” –Burghound

2006 GUFFENS-HEYNEN Pouilly-Fuisse “Sauve des Eaux” $65 ($55.25) “Smoky lees, pear and anise on the nose, with an undertone of wet stone. Sharply focused quince and lime flavors are given depth and roundness by sweet butter and finish with firm citric bite. The anise quality reappears and lingers seductively.” IWC

2006 VERGET Chablis “Les Clos” Grand Cru $95 ($80.75)
One of the most famous grand cru appellations. “A fascinating nose of stone dust and white flower aromas combine with superbly well detailed and intensely mineral suffused flavors that are dry, penetrating and wonderfully long on the explosive and palate staining finish. The clear class of this group.” –Burghound

reds
2004 HARMAND GEOFFREY Gevrey-Chambertin V.V. $52 ($44.20) The Harmand-Geoffroy estate, in the family since the late 1800’s, now totals 9 hectares of vineyards in 10 separate appellations. The vineyard for the “V.V.” rouge is 50-60 years old. Gérard Harmand, and his son Philippe, run the domaine As Gérard explained, this father-son team are focused on making wines with more elegance and finesse, using the most natural practices to express their particular terroir.

2005 BOCQUENET Nuits-St-George “Aux St. Julien” $60 ($51) “A beautifully perfumed nose that is classic Nuits with earth and red berry fruit aromas that merge into precise, pure and admirably intense medium full flavors …this is more refined than usual while keeping all of its typical power and punch.” - Burghound

2006 BOCQUENET Echezeaux Grand Cru $138 ($117.30) Dan Bocquenet is a rising young talent in Burgundy. “This is also beautifully perfumed and much more complex with spicy and beautifully layered black fruit aromas. This sense of nuance and depth continues onto the rich, sweet and firm medium plus weight flavors underpinned by a solid core of ripe tannins and excellent length.” –Burghound

DOM. JEAN-MARC PILLOT
2005 Burgundy: fruit, grace & elegance

“2005 is clearly an excellent vintage with more body and power than 2004…” –Jean-Marc Pillot

2005 JEAN-MARC PILLOT St. Romain Blanc “La Perriere” $38 ($32.30 cs price) “This is fresher and cooler with bright green fruit notes that can also be found on the racy, sweet and detailed flavors underpinned by a trace of minerality and an agreeably dry finish.” –Burghound

2005 JEAN-MARC PILLOT Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc 1er “Les Vergers” $80 ($68) “This is a mild step up in elegance and finesse with finer and more detailed white and yellow orchard fruit aromas that complement perfectly the detailed, precise and subtly mineral flavors that possess an interesting contrast of succulence and intensity on the pure and driving finish. This is lovely stuff and I really like the balance here. 91 pts. Outstanding!” –Burghound

2005 JEAN-MARC PILLOT Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge 1er “Les Macherelles” $49 ($41.65) “A more elegant and refined nose blends notes of black and blue pinot fruit, pepper and violet aromas that introduce detailed and attractively precise flavors that exude a fine if discreet sense of underlying minerality on the suave, complex and satisfying finish. A lovely effort with enough structure to reward 5 to 7 years of cellar time. 89 pts.” –Burghound