WINE TASTING: Grower Champagnes from the Thierry Thiese Portfolio Fri. Dec. 18, 5-7:30pm, Belmont.

Nothing says “CELEBRATE” like the explosive sound of a champagne cork! Tom Modica from Atlantic Imports will present select grower champagnes from the Thierry Thiese collection. Champagnes for this tasting may include:

PIEDMONT/BOCA Nebbiolo Wines: Older Vintages from 1984-1991
WINE TASTING Thurs. Dec. 16, 4:30-7:30, Belmont
Presented by JEANNIE ROGERS

The Boca DOC region in eastern Piedmont was once a thriving wine production region, focused on nebbiolo-based wines. By the 1990’s, Antonio Cerri was one of the last remaining winemakers using traditional methods to make these delicious, age-worthy Boca wines. Swiss winemaker Christoph Kunzli purchased the estate from Cerri with additional properties, and has revived the production of BOCA DOC wines.

A number of Cerri’s older vintages from the 1980’s, aged in large barrel for 10+ years before bottling, have been shipped directly from the cellar and have just arrived in Boston. Importer Jeannie Rogers of Adonna Imports will present these wines and tell the fascinating story behind these wines.

These wines will be available at the tasting:

1984 ANTONIO CERRI Boca “Campo delle Piane”$58

1985 ANTONIO CERRI Boca “Campo delle Piane” $58

1987 ANTONIO CERRI Boca “Campo delle Piane” $58

1989 ANTONIO CERRI Boca “Campo delle Piane” $58

1991 ANTONIO CERRI Boca “Campo delle Piane” $58

BAROLO & BARBARESCO: “Seven Villages of the Langhe”

FRIDAY, DEC. 11, 5-7pm: Belmont
SATURDAY, DEC. 12, 12-5: Concord (or until wine runs out)

Wine Director and Piedmont expert ERIC BROEGE will be your guide through the distinctive villages of the Langhe, Piedmont’s wine-growing region.  Taste and discover the unique flavors and characteristics of the Langhe’s cru vineyards transferred through its signature grape, NEBBIOLO, which reaches its great expressiveness only in the Langhe.

Seven villages — seven outstanding wines! Please join us!

JOIN US for a tasting of BORDEAUX and BURGUNDY selected from VINTAGES’ stellar collection for holiday dining and gifts! 

FRI. DEC. 4: Belmont 4-7pm
SAT. DEC. 5: Concord 2-5pm

Featured wines include:

Bordeaux
2003 CHAT. d’ARMAILHAC Pauillac Grand Cru Classe $65 “The deep ruby/purple-hued 2003 d’Armailhac exhibits notes of Asian plum sauce interwoven with creme de cassis, licorice, and roasted herbs. With moderately high yet sweet tannin, an earthy character, and chewy, muscular, deep fruit as well as medium to full body, it should be drunk between 2008-2019. 90 pts.”-WA

2006 CHAT. CANTERMERLE Haut-Medoc $35
“Quality has improved dramatically at this estate, and the 2006 is a quintessentially elegant Bordeaux displaying a dark ruby/purple color, a lovely bouquet of forest floor, sweet cherries, cranberries, and black currants, medium body, a textured, sweet, tannic mouthfeel, and a long finish. Everything is beautifully pure as well as perfectly balanced in this outstanding effort. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. Excellent value. 90 pts.” -Parker, WA

2006 CHATEAU PIPEAU St. Emilion Grand Cru $35 “What can one say about this richly fruity, exuberant St.-Emilion that is designed to provide enormous pleasure? Although not as concentrated as the top vintages can be, the 2006 Pipeau exhibits sweet cassis and black cherry fruit intertwined with notions of earth, spice box, and fruitcake. Medium-bodied and round with plush tannin and a good finish, it can be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years. Good value.” -WA

2006 CHATEAU de BRONDEAU Bordeaux Superieur $15.99 Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Pretty cherry fruit and soft tannins.

White Burgundy
2007 LOUIS CARILLON Puligny-Montrachet $60
“A highly aromatic nose of green fruit, acacia blossom and citrus leads to racy, pure and vibrant middle weight flavors that possess a discreet touch of minerality and excellent length for a villages level wine. This delivers first-rate quality for its level. Outstanding! 91 pts.” - Burghound

2006 CHANDON de BRIAILLES Pernand de Vergelesses “Ile de Vergelesses” $60  Long a VINTAGES favorite, Chandon de Briailles and winemaker Claude de Nicolay craft ultra-elegant burgundy from pristine, organic fruit. “Elegant and complex nose with more of a citrus component that merges into medium-bodied flavors that possess good underlying tension and excellent length on the linear, vibrant and lingering finish. 90 pts. Outstanding Top Value!“– Burghound

2007 CHAT. du CHATELARD Beaujolais Blanc $19.99

Owned by Sylvain & Isabelle Rosier, this estate was completely rebuilt in the 1700’s after the French Revolution. “My favorite of all the whites was a 2008 Beaujolais blanc from Château du Chatelard. This fresh, stony chardonnay was one I could drink for hours …”
–Eric Asimov, NY Times, Nov. 2009.

WINE TASTING: SAT. Nov. 14 
2007 CLOS du MONT OLIVET
CHATEAUNEUF & COTES du RHONE
Concord: Saturday 12-5pm
Belmont: Saturday 3-6pm

CLOS du MONT OLIVET
“One of the hallmark and legendary estates of Chateauneuf du Pape, having first estate-bottled wine in the early 1930s, Clos du Mont Olivet is a reference point for traditional, long-lived Chateauneuf du Pape.”– WA

2007 CLOS du MONT OLIVET “Tradition” $40 92 pts.
“The brilliant 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition (made from 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and other assorted authorized varieties) is brilliant. Gorgeous notes reminiscent of an open-air Provencal fruit and vegetable market jump from the glass of this deep plum/purple-colored wine. The wine is expansive, savory, very fleshy, and totally disarming in its explosive aromatics and lush, opulent flavors. The better-than-average acids, due to the cool growing year, give it uplift and vibrancy, which nicely buttress the wine’s full-bodied power and substance. This is a beauty to drink over the next 15 or so years. 92 pts.” –WA (photo: Thierry Sabon, Clos du Mont Olivet)

More wines from Clos du Mont Olivet in the tasting:

2008 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc $39
Masterful blend of 30% Clairette, 30% Bourblenc, 25% Roussanne, 15% Grenache Blanc from a collection of the family’s older-vine plots.

2007 MONT OLIVET Cotes du Rhone “Varene” $22
100% Syrah — debut vintage!

2008 CLOS du MONT OLIVET “Montueil de Lavade” V.V. $15.99
Old-vine Cotes du Rhone.

2007 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Cotes du Rhone “Font de Blanche” $13.99 Unbeatable value!

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

WINE TASTING: Conti di Buscareto from Marche, Italy

FRI. Nov. 6, 4:30-6:30pm Concord
Sat. Nov. 7, 4-6pm Belmont
with Mr. Claudio Luconi, director

Claudio Luconi from at the Conti di Buscareto estate in Italy’s Marche region, will be in the Belmont store on Saturday, Nov. 7, 4-6pm. Claudio will present and discuss the featured wines:

2007 CONTI di BUSCARETO Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi “Ammazzaconte” $22
Luscious, late-harvest verdicchio

2006 CONTI di BUSCARETO Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi “Ammazzaconte” Special price on 6-pak at tasting: $16.99/bottle

2007 CONTI di BUSCARETO Lacrimo di Morro d’Alba Rosso $17.99
Aromatic red with soft plum fruit

2008 CONTI di BUSCARETO Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi $13.99 Crisp, complex, great minerality

“TRUE TUSCANY”
Wines that truly express the soul of Tuscany are off the beaten “Strada del Vino.” VINTAGES investigates.

“2007 MONTEVERTINE “Pian del Ciampolo” $27
Earlier this year I was able to visit Martino Manetti at his historic estate in Radda, to see first-hand what makes Montevertine such a singular estate in the heart of Chianti Classico. High altitude, cool micro-climate, stony mineral-laden, old-vine vineyards, and an unshakable commitment to their signature varietal, Sangiovese (modern name for ‘Sangioveto’). Montevertine was the first winery in Chianti to make 100% Sangiovese wine in 1977. Also, they were the first to use French barrique (although you would never know it from tasting the wine). “Pian Del Ciampolo” is the ‘house wine’ of Montevertine, consistently revealing the elegance, grace and finesse of the estate for a lot less $ than their benchmark wine, “Le Pergole Torte.” Pale ruby color, followed by beautiful aromas of delicate cherry fruit, powdery minerals, and notes of wild herbs. An exceedingly fine and elegant wine! A finesse favorite, featured in Saturday’s wine tasting in West Concord: “True Tuscany.”

WINE TASTING: New Arrivals from Spain & Italy
Sat. Oct. 17, 2-5pm Concord
featuring new Amarone from TOMMASO BUSSOLA

2003 TOMMASO BUSSOLA Amarone Classico $65
TOMMASO BUSSOLA is an exuberant, passionate man and his wines are characteristically robust and expressive. While the 2004 vintage of this Amarone Classico was released two years ago, only now did Tommaso decide that the 2003 version was ready for release. Eric’s tasting note from his visit to Italy: “A great Amarone! Roasted candied-cherry, infinitely complex and drinkable, approaching the quality of Tommaso’s Riserva. Tommaso believes this is the best Amarone Classico he has ever made.“

2006 DESCENDIENTES de JOSE PALACIOS “Corullon” 93 pts. $45 (Bierzo)
100% Mencia old-vine Mencia. “The purple-colored 2006 Villa de Corullon offers up a super-fragrant bouquet of lavender, incense, black cherry, and black raspberry. Elegant and multi-dimensional on the palate, it has gobs of ripe fruit, succulent flavors, and impeccable balance. It has several years of aging potential and should offer prime drinking from 2012 to 2021.93 pts.”–WA

2008 EGIA ENEA Txakoli de Bizkaia $19.99 (Txakolina) - white
Located in the northern Basque country, Egia Enea is run by owner/winemaker Alfredo Egia. Their Txakolina is made from the grape “Hondarrabi Zuri Zerratia.” “The 2008 Egia Enea Txakolina is sourced from a single vineyard within the sub-zone of Biskaia. It reveals an expressive nose of mineral, lime, melon, and petrol. Smooth textured, bracing, and racy on the palate… 90 pts.“

2007 PENAS DAS DONAS Godello “Almalarga” $19.99 (Ribeira Sacra) - white
This first vintage of the 2007 Almalarga Godello is named for the vineyard (70- to 100-year-old vines). “Aged on its lees for four months, it offers a superb aromatic array of mineral, crushed stone, lemon-lime, white peach, and melon. This is followed by a dry, elegant, ripe, concentrated wine with outstanding balance and length. Drink it over the next four years. 90 pts.” –WA

2008 PENAS DAS DONAS Mencia “Verdes Matas” $19.99 (Ribeira Sacra) -
“Bright ruby. Spicy red and dark berry aromas are complicated by cherry skin, licorice, dried violet and cracked pepper. Racy and sharply focused on entry, offering tangy redcurrant and bitter cherry flavors, then opens up to show deeper, sweeter dark berries. For a tangy wine this is surprisingly lush, almost creamy, with gentle tannins and good lingering sweetness. I really like this wine’s blend of vivacity and roundness. 90 pts.” –IWA
 

WINE TASTING: Sat. Oct. 17, 3-6pm Belmont
Chateauneuf du Pape & Alto Adige

An odd couple indeed — Rhone & Alto Adige. Yet, both of these regions strongly rely on aromatics to set the stage for what’s to come. From the pristine Alps to the rugged mountains surrounding the Rhone valley, these whites and reds deliver!

ABBAZIA di NOVACELLA (Photo: Celestino Lucin, 2009 Winemaker of the Year from Gambero Rosso)
“Abbazia di Novacella in Alto Adige is located in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful corners of Italy. In particular, the wines made from indigenous varieties are well worth seeking out. These wines beautifully express the unique qualities of their respective varieties and the unique Valle Isarco terroir.”–WA

2007 ABBAZIA dI NOVACELLA Pinot Grigio $22
“The 2007 Pinot Grigio is a delicate, perfumed white with well-articulated fruit and pretty aromatics.”–WA

2007 ABBAZIA dI NOVACELLA Sylvaner $22  Reveals lovely detail and nuance in a layered expression of fruit. Admirable length and complexity.

2007 ABBAZIA dI NOVACELLA Kerner $25  “It beautifully marries the detail that many of these wines have with a ripe, generous expression of fruit. Citrus peel, melon, spices and mint are just some of the notes that can be found in this beautiful, absolutely delicious white.” –WA

REDS- CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
2006 DOM. MONPERTUIS Chateauneuf du Pape $45
“Fresh red berries on the nose, with complicating notes of rose, lavender and smoky minerals. Gains power on the broad, penetrating finish while maintaining freshness and clarity.”–IWA

2006 LE VIEUX DONJON Chateauneuf du Pape $69
“Intensely perfumed aromas of Asian spices, garrigue, red berries, smoke and minerals. This elegant wine calls to mind pinot noir in its weight and texture. Sweet, palate-staining raspberry and cherry flavors are enlivened by juicy acidity. Very pure and seductive wine with no gamey qualities and a long, sweet finish.”–IWA

2005 CLOS du MONT OLIVET “La Cuvee du Papet” $68
“(95% grenache and 5% mourvedre) Inky ruby. Stunningly fragrant bouquet of fresh red berries, cherry, minerals, Asian spices and fresh flowers; with its combination of power and purity, this smells like a Musigny. Deeply concentrated raspberry and cherry flavors are complicated by anise, cinnamon and floral pastille, with big but interwoven tannins adding grip. Finishes with outstanding silky persistence and a strong red berry character. 94 pts.” -IWA