Join us for an exciting series of wine adventures! Tastings are held in the Belmont and/or West Concord stores. And stay tuned for Winemaker Dinners!

September

MARISA CUOMO: A Taste of the Amalfi Coast

FRI SEPT. 10, 4-7pm  Belmont
SAT. SEPT. 11, 2-5pm Concord

The “Soulful Side” of BORDEAUX

FRI. SEPT. 17, 4-7pm  Belmont
SAT. SEPT. 18, 2-5pm Concord

BAROLO: Alessandria & Burlotto

FRI. SEPT. 24, 4-7PM Belmont
SAT. SEPT. 25, 2-5PM Concord

October

GIUSEPPE CORTESE, (Piedmont, Italy) Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Barbera

FRI. OCT. 1, 4-7pm Belmont
SAT. OCT. 2, 2-5pm Concord

Poderi ODDERO: Barolo, Barbaresco & more

FRI. OCT. 8, 4-7pm Belmont
SAT. OCT. 9, 2-5pm Concord

Robust wines of SOUTHERN RHONE: Vacqueyras, Gigondas

FRI. OCT. 22, 4-7pm Belmont
SAT. OCT. 23, 2-5pm Concord

MARISA CUOMO: A Taste of the Amalfi Coast
WINE TASTING: Fri. Sept. 10 & Sat. Sept. 11

Fri. SEPT. 10 4-7 pm BELMONT
Sat. SEPT. 11 2-5pm CONCORD

Enjoy the fruits of another Vintages wine adventure!
A Taste of the Amalfi Coast — MARISA CUOMO
This week’s featured wines take us to Italy’s Sorrento coast, home of the fabled seaside village of Positano and the isle of Capri. The local wines are made fromgrapes falanghina, biancolello, ripoli, fenile, ginestra, aglianico and piedirosso — tongue-twisters, yet refreshing and delicious with fresh seafood and caprese salad.

2009 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Ravello” Bianco $25 Blend of 60% Falanghina, 40% Biancholello. Beautiful light color, crisp, tangy fruit with powdery minerals; as vibrant and sublime as a wave crashing on the rocks below.

2009 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Furore” Bianco $25 Blend of 60% Falanghina, 40% Biancholello. Richer texture with more powerful fruit; rounder feel with soft, lovely finish. Scallops, shrimp, seafood pasta dishes.

2009 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Furore” Rosso $25 50/50 blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso. Wonderful spicebox and black pepper on the nose; elegant and juicy red berry fruit finishes with firm, gripping tannins. Roasted or grilled pork, poultry or rabbit.

2009 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Rosato $25
Blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso. Fresh, bright red berries, tangy, mouthwatering fruit, a bit of tannic grip and hint of pepper on finish.

2007 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Ravello” Rosso Riserva $45 Blend of 70% piedirosso; 30% aglianico. This truly excellent red offers densely rich fruit, and soft velvety character finishes with gripping ripe tannins! Lip-smacking, chewy deliciousness!

NEW ARRIVALS: Giuseppe Cortese, Piedmont

Tiziana Cortese

“Just think of all the mediocre Pinot Noir consumed that barely resembles its varietal characteristics. These Cortese wines are pure and authentic wines made from a fabled vineyard by a family committed to artisan production for more than sixty years.” –EB

Eric and Carolyn visited the Giuseppe Cortese estate in Barbaresco this May. It was great to meet with Tiziana Cortese once again, and continue our enjoyment and understanding of this cellar and their wines. Three generations of the Cortese family have continued their passionate engagement with making the best quality wines from their cru vineyards in historic Rabaja. The Corteses combine rigorous traditional methods in the vineyards — the heart of all great wine — with modern technique and patience in the cellar. We are very excited to share these beautiful, elegant Barbera and Nebbiolo wines at very attractive prices. Get your salumi, bread and olives ready!

2009 GIUSEPPE CORTESE Barbera d’Alba $19.99

Lovely, traditional Barbera from Cortese. Deep garnet color, pretty aromas of cherry & violets. On the palate, ripe and pure black cherry fruit and tremendous freshness in perfect balance. A classic and beautiful Barbera from the estate’s superb vineyards in Rabaja. A versatile table wine, perfect companion for pasta, chicken, beef tenderloin, pork, stews, and vegetable dishes.

2008 GIUSEPPE CORTESE Langhe Nebbiolo $25

Classic textbook example of Nebbiolo from Barbaresco. Luminous medium-ruby color; fragrant, delicate rose petals, powdery sweet-tart candied minerals. Made from a one-hectare vineyard in Rabaja, only 500 cases produced. All of the elegance and finesse that one expects from traditionally-made Barbaresco, just on a smaller scale-priced to enjoy!

“Soulful Side of BORDEAUX”

DOM. du JAUGERET, St. Julien
DOM. MOULIN de TRICOT, Margaux

In last week’s “The Pour” (NYT) ERIC ASIMOV writes about the less commercial side of Bordeaux: what he terms the “soulful” side. Much of what he writes could be applied to most of the producers we hang our hats on, and much of the wine in our stores. VINTAGES carries two of the properties mentioned in the article and will have more vintages available in the next week.

“COMPARED with the grand chateaus of the Médoc, the tiny Domaine du Jaugaret may seem irrelevant. The critics don’t score its wines, it’s barely mentioned in guides, it doesn’t play in the futures game. The winemaking facility is no more than a series of stone sheds with floors of dirt and gravel and walls covered in a mushroomlike mold. Calling it rustic would be putting it kindly.
Yet for me, the importance of a place like Domaine du Jaugaret in St.-Julien cannot be overstated. In globalized, commercial Châteaux Bordeaux, a world of brand-name products sold like luxury goods, where too many wines seem polished and lustrous yet lacking in character, Jaugaret brims with soul. Its proprietor, Jean-François Fillastre, epitomizes the French vigneron, one who tends the vines and makes the wines.” –Eric Asimov, NY Times

Just a few bottles remain:

2003 DOM. du JAUGERET St. Julien $75

Arriving this week:

2004 DOM. du JAUGERET St. Julien $75

2005 DOM. du JAUGERET St. Julien $95

“Bruno and Pascaline Rey, the fourth generation of their family to operate Moulin de Tricot, which has about nine acres in Margaux and four in Haut-Médoc. Their 2009 Margaux, still in barrels, is rich, pure and light in texture. The 2005 is beautifully perfumed and intense..”–Eric Asimov

arriving this week:

2004 DOM. MOULIN de TRICOT Margaux $45

2005 DOM. MOULIN de TRICOT Margaux $50

Click for whole article

BURGUNDY, Thy name is Value!

VERGET, Burgundy

2009 VERGET Chablis “Vaillons” $30

Eric tasted with Jean-Marie Guffens at his cellar in February and selected a few 2009 Chablis to be imported for our customers.
“Ginger and apple aromas are lifted by stony minerality. Broad, concentrated and ripe, with an open-knit texture in the style of the year. This sweet, supple wine is not especially high in acidity but offers a more pleasing balance than the 2008 version. Finishes with impressive length. 92 pts.”-Tanzer, IWC In-store now!

HENRI PRUDHON, Burgundy
Special price on 1er cru white burgundy!

2003 HENRI PRUDHON Chassagne-Montrachet “Chenevottes” Special $35

“Very ripe orchard fruit aromas that are fresh, expressive and nicely complex, complemented by the expressive, yet concentrated and powerful flavors that display excellent precision and solid overall harmony. This is the class of the cellar today and should reward a year or two of bottle age. Drink 2006+.”  –Burghound

Notes of crème brulee, round and lush, and showing the distinctiveness of this noble 1er cru. Ready to drink – limited quantities.

First shipment arriving this week – reserve yours today! 978-369-2545

New from Piedmont

Fra. ALESSANDRIA Barolo

“One of the Top Ten ‘Under the Radar’ wineries in Piedmont”– A. Galloni

2006 ALESSANDRIA Barolo “Gramolere” Monforte d’Alba $60

The 2006 vintage is a tremendous one for Barolo and Barbaresco. While many young 06 Barolos are overpowered by tannins at this stage, the Alessandria wines offer sweet, fruity, delectable tannins. Loads of blackberry and blueberry fruit tantalize the tongue in perfect balance. “Gramolere” offers beautiful fruit aromas and fruit-coated tannins; sweet, yet strong. Powerfully pure fruit and notable underlying minerality. Cellar if you can; drink it if you just can’t wait (we won’t tell)!

2009 ALESSANDRIA Favorita Bianco $19.99

This refreshing Favorita snuck into the stores while many of you were away. Now is the perfect time to enjoy this local white grape from Piedmont!  Fresh aromas, lush, lip-smacking fruit in the mouth, and powdery minerals on the finish. More oomph than a pinot grigio, but just as crisp and refreshing.

2009 ALESSANDRIA Pelaverga Rosso $19.99

The sleeper hit of the season! This chillable red is light in color but deceptively lush in the mouth, plum and berry fruit with spices and a hint of pepper on the finish. Truly one of the delights of summer!

MARISA CUOMO: A Taste of the Amalfi Coast

MARISA CUOMO

Enjoy the fruits of another Vintages wine adventure!
A Taste of the Amalfi Coast — MARISA CUOMO
This week’s featured wines take us to Italy’s Sorrento coast, home of the fabled seaside village of Positano and the isle of Capri. The local wines are made from grapes falanghina, biancolello, ripoli, fenile, ginestra, aglianico and piedirosso — tongue-twisters, yet refreshing and delicious with fresh seafood and caprese salad.

Unfortunately for him, VINTAGES’ Eric Broege did not taste these wines on the isle of Capri — he was at the mammoth industrial setting of Vinitaly, the annual Italian wine expo in Verona. Like a sip of sun-kissed nectar, these coastal Campania wines were imprinted on his palate; when he found out they were unavailable in our state, he began a six-month quest to obtain them. Finally, after much pestering, prodding and finagling, these delectable wines arrived in our store!

Tiny production? Definitely. Obscure? Of course. Delicious? Si. Exclusive? You bet.

* * *

We wrote the above paragraphs August 2004 when we first introduced the distinctive wines of MARISA CUOMO to our customers and to our state. Distinctive wines with tremendous appeal, they were a popular choice for dinner parties and gifts. A couple years ago, the winery lost its distributor and once again, Eric was at Vinitaly to get the wine back on our shelves, and back on select Boston wine lists. This year, when Eric approached the Marisa Cuomo booth, there was quite a crowd – but Marisa spotted him right away, brought him behind the counter, and asked: “What can we do for you? Can you help us get our wines back into Boston?” This time, after gaining the trust of top winemakers and importers over the past decade, it is much easier to arrange for a shipment of these wines exclusively for our customers. We are delighted once again to re-introduce these exceptional whites and red wines from the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast to their fans in the Boston area, in time for late summer seafood and sipping.

MARISA CUOMO, Costa d’Amalfi DOC – Vintages Exclusive

With a total production of 4,000 cases and exacting standards of quality, Marisa Cuomo has become the most important producer in the tiny Costa d’Amalfi DOC on the Sorrento Peninsula. She creates compelling examples of Falanghina (whites) from 100 to 160-year-old terraced vineyards growing horizontally out of limestone cliffs, 500 meters above the sea. Her reserve red wine is a powerful blend of native grapes Aglianico and Piedirosso. These wines offer a singular taste of this picturesque coastal area, created with dedication and passion for high quality under extremely challenging conditions and punishing physical labor. Now, the wines:

2008 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi Fiorduva Bianco $65

Marisa Cuomo’s Costa d’Amalfi “Fiorduva” is one of the truly outstanding Italian white wines, period. It’s a blend of Ripoli, Fenile and Ginestra, all indigenous grape varieties planted on rocky, terraced vineyards in the Amalfi Coast, dangling above one of Italy’s most picturesque vistas. This gorgeous white reveals the essence of jasmine, orange blossoms, ripe apricots, a hint of fig and subtle toasted oak in a layered, beautiful, expression of notable elegance. Long, smooth finish. Pair with richer dishes of fish, poultry, pasta with cream sauce, or with fruit and cheese as an after-dinner wine. 800 cases production.

2009 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Ravello” Bianco $25 Blend of 60% Falanghina, 40% Biancholello. Beautiful light color, crisp, tangy fruit with powdery minerals; as vibrant and sublime as a wave crashing on the rocks below.

2009 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Furore” Bianco $25 Blend of 60% Falanghina, 40% Biancholello. Richer texture with more powerful fruit; rounder feel with soft, lovely finish. Scallops, shrimp, seafood pasta dishes.

2009 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Furore” Rosso $25 50/50 blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso. Wonderful spicebox and black pepper on the nose; elegant and juicy red berry fruit finishes with firm, gripping tannins. Roasted or grilled pork, poultry or rabbit.

2009 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Rosato $25 Blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso. Fresh, bright red berries, tangy, mouthwatering fruit, a bit of tannic grip and hint of pepper on finish.

2007 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Ravello” Rosso Riserva $45 Blend of 70% piedirosso; 30% aglianico. This truly excellent red offers densely rich fruit, and soft velvety character finishes with gripping ripe tannins! Lip-smacking, chewy deliciousness!

WINE DOG “STEALS!”

2003 MASTROBERARDINO Taurasi “Radici” was $45; now $25! Special 15% discount on 6 bottle wood box!

“Mastroberardino is one of the most famous properties in Campania. The estate’s 2003 Taurasi is an excellent choice for readers looking for a wine that is ready to drink. It offers an intriguing array of sweet dark fruit, smoke and dried, cured meats with an attractive, plump personality. This is a fairly approachable style of Taurasi with outstanding length and fine overall balance. Drink now thru 2020. 90 pts.”–WA
To reserve your deluxe 6-bottle wood box for $127.50 plus tax, call or email your information to VINTAGES.
info@vintagesonline.com
Belmont 617-484-4560
Concord 978-369-2545

2005 PRINCIPIANO Barbera d’Alba “Romualda” orig. $40; now $19.99! 15% off 12 bottle case.

We’ve long been fans of Ferdi Principiano’s single-vineyard Barbera. The 2005 is drinking perfectly right now. Loaded

Ferdi Principiano

with deep, dark fruit and Serralunga character. Aromas of blackberry, black raspberry, tar, roast coffee and sweet oak. A rich, chewy, structured barbera that really fills the mouth with flavors of dark berries and chocolate. Truly an outstanding “wine dog steal” not to be missed!

JEAN-MARC BURGAUD, Beaujolais
“Cuvee JAMES” Morgon

Amazingly beautiful and perfectly balanced Beaujolais – ripe fruit, suave, powerfully structured.

Jean-Marc Burgaud

2008 DOM. Jean-Marc BURGAUD Morgon Cote du Py “Cuvee James” $28 ($23.80 by the case) JEAN-MARC BURGAUD, a signature Beaujolais producer from Morgon, is upping the ante and laying his land out there for all to taste. Yeah, it’s good. Continue Reading »

Hooray for MUSCADET!
A great value wine that deserves more fans

NEW! 2009 DOM. de la LOUVETRIE Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie “Fief de Breuil” $17.99 VINTAGES EXCLUSIVE
The ultimate Muscadet. The Fiefs is an old vines bottling that is Dom. De La Louvetries’ top bottling, a selection of the most perfect Melon de Bourgogne grapes. The weight and volume of the wine are amped up a bit, without sacrificing the crystalline minerality, crisp acidity,  purity of fruit, and the infinite drinkability that is a hallmark of Muscadet. The Fiefs is a unique Muscadet because, while it is delicious upon release, it improves over time, becoming even more complex and refined over the next 10+ years! Quite an achievement for such a modestly priced wine. Continue Reading »