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 »

NEW & Deluxe from PROVENCE!
Celebrate summer’s special occasions with Bandol white or rose!

WHITE

2009 CHAT. PIBARNON Bandol Blanc $35 Exclusive

Deluxe blend of Clairette and Bourblenc from Bandol in Provence – the white counterpart to the powerful Bandol rouge. Burst of fresh provencal olives, pine and jasmine scents on the nose. Ripe peach and apricot flavors with rich honeyed notes.  On the palate, the wine offers a wonderful balance of rich, dry texture and sappy, mouthwatering complexity.  Pibarnon’s bandol Blanc is planted on north-facing slopes to preserve its freshness and natural acidity, and is made with very little sulfites. Enjoy this richly delicious white with grilled chicken and fish, roasted vegetable salads, swordfish, lobster and other summer delights!

ROSE!

2009 CHAT. PRADEAUX Bandol Rose $30 (Provence)

Bandol is the King of Rose, with 60% Mourvedre and 40% Cinsault leading the charge. Enticing aromas of redcurrant and cherry, with compelling notes of herbs, white flowers, anise and minerals. Smooth & fleshy with berry and blood orange flavors and tangy notes of white pepper and quinine.  Offers superb complexity and is very flexible at the table. Tremendous!

Oeno-Adventure in Red & White from Corsica

DOM. MAESTRACCI “E Prove” Corse Calvi

2008 DOM. MAESTRACCI e PROVE Blanc $17.99
“The Maestracci 2008 E Prove Blanc de Blanc – from Vermentino – is one of the most unusual whites you will taste this year, and you should. …This luscious, juicy wine sticks to the palate with a mineral, herbal tang that you simply have to experience.” –WA

100% Vermentino. Piney, sappy nose complicated with pungent herbal aromas and briny oyster shell. Juicy, sappy fruit, tangy citrus and mineral notes. A rewarding, delightful find– definitely a crave-inducing white!

2007 DOM. MAESTRACCI e PROVE Rouge $19.99

Blend of Niellucio (Sangiovese) Grenache, Sciacarello, and Syrah. Long maceration; aged three years in cask. Blackberry fruit and floral aromas. Earthy, tinged with roasted herbs — southern Rhone meets Tuscany.

“Nice deep garnet, and what an aroma! Hard to beat for the buck– a big, beautiful, complex red that reeks of the south and the Île de Beauté, as Corsica is called in France. There is anise, thyme, rosemary, the wildflowers of the maquis, animal notes, a discreet touch of oak. The palate is full, deep, and tannic– a great food wine. The nose of it is really special.”
–KLWM Newsletter

WINE TASTING: New Arrivals from France

whites & reds from Kermit Lynch & Neal Rosenthal

Fri. April 23 4-7 & Sat. April 24, 3-7, Belmont store

Sparkling

NV CHIDAINE Montlouis Sur Loire Methode Traditionnelle Brut (Loir Valley) $19.99 100% Chenin Blanc, bio dynamically produced in traditional (Champagne) method, no dosage.  Doesn’t get much tastier than that!  Refreshing and crisp on the palate with good acidity.

white

2009 CHATEAU DUCASSE Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux) $15.99 KLWM Unfiltered Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and a touch of Muscadelle from Barsac (a satellite of Sauternes).  The perfect summer white—light, crisp, low in alcohol.  Go on, have another glass.

2009 DOM. LA MANARINE Cotes du Rhone Blanc (Rhone Valley) $14.99 RWM
Gilles Gasq is a talented young winemaker who has honed his skills working as an assistant to Paul Jeune, the proprietor of Domaine de Monpertuis and Chateau Valcombe. This Cotes du Rhone blanc is a Clairette and Bourblenc blend; very fresh, perfect for summer outings!

red

2007 LA PETITE MAIRIE Bourgueil Cuvee des Galluches (Loire Valley) $17.99 RWM Corinne and James Petit “have an uncompromising vision of the expression of the Cabernet Franc grape married to the unique terroir of Bourgeuil.”  Although 2007 was a tricky year for some in the Loire, high-quality producers like the Petits crafted wines that are sure to please.

2008 CLOS LA COUTALE Cahors (Southwest France) $15.99 KLWM 70% Malbec (known as Côt, locally), 15% Merlot and 15% Tannat.  12 months in oak round out this warm, spicy blend.  Winemaker Philippe Bernède walks the line between modern technique and traditional methods.  Grill season, anyone?

NEW ARRIVALS WINE TASTING: Italy & France

BELMONT: Fri & Sat. Jan. 29 & 30, 4-7pm Belmont
CONCORD: Sat. Jan. 30, 2-5pm

white
2008 CHATEAU DE LASCAUX Coteaux du Languedoc $17.99 (Southern France) compellingblend of Vermentino, Rousanne, Marsanne, Viognier

2008 MASARI Agnobianco $19.99 (Veneto)
elegant blend of Garganega & Durella

red
2008 COLLE TICCHIO Cesanese del Piglio $17.99 (Lazio) 100% Cesanese grape near Rome; a refreshing red

2008 ALBINO ROCCA Rosso di Rocca $17.99 (Piedmont) juicy blend of nebbiolo, barbera & cab franc

2008 CEUSO “Scurati” Nero d’Avola $16.99 (Sicily)
Nero d’Avola – big, dark fruit, chewy tannins

2007 CATALDI MADONNA Montepulciano d’Abruzzo $19.99 (Abruzzo) dark, dense fruit, beautiful harmony!

KERMIT LYNCH: Wine Artistry for Everyday

KLWM wines offer everything you could ask for in a wine for daily enjoyment: strong sense of place, focused flavors and aromas, elegant balance, complexity and a satisfying finish. 

 If you missed this tasting, don’t miss these wines. They’re fantastic!
white
2007 KUENTZ BAS Alsace Blanc $12.99 (Alsace)
WOW!  Traditional Alsatian blend: 65% sylvaner, 20% pinot blanc, 15% Chasselas (Alsace) Inviting nose, focused and pure fruit; finishes very clean and dry. A marvel of charm & precision!

2007 DOM. CHAMPELOU Vouvray Sec $17.99 (Loire Valley) STUNNING!
100% chenin blanc. “A fetching nose of quince, orange, lime, narcissus, freesia, sweet corn, and green tea ushers in a luscious yet remarkably delicate palate, with a perfectly judged hint of sweetness supporting pear, quince, and citrus. Savory salinity, a hint of caramel, chalk, and citrus zest as well as a suggestion of vanilla cream inform an ear-to-ear finish of lift and refinement.” –WA

rose
2008 DOM. FONTSAINTE “Gris de Gris” $13.99 (Languedoc) PURE NECTAR!
Blend of 60% Grenache Gris & Grenache Noir; 5% 10% Mourvèdre; 15% Carignan; 10% Cinsault. “Honeysuckle, green tea, cranberry and strawberry on the nose. Juicy, finely etched red berry and citrus flavors are gently sweet and given spine by nervy minerality. Richer on the finish…” –IWC
red
2006 DOM. FONTSAINTE Corbieres $12.99 (Languedoc) DEEPLY FRUITED NECTAR!
60% carignane, 30% grenache noir, 10% syrah. Luscious blueberry fruit, well-balanced, soft sweet tannins, juicy and delicious!

2007 CLOS la COUTALE Cahors $15.99 (Southwest France) MEATY ELEGANCE, even better the 2nd day!
70% malbec, 30% merlot. “Philippe Bernede’s 2007 Cahors continues Clos la Coutale’s long-running streak of excellence. Smelling of ripe mulberries, cassis, cardamom, carob, and black walnut husks, it offers a juicy and expansive palate. Peppery pungency & sirloin juices dominate a long finish. “–WA

2006 CHATEAU de LASCAUX Rouge $16.99 (Languedoc) DELIGHTFULLY SPICY!
60% syrah, 40% Grenache- “The Chat. Lascaux rouge smells of fresh red raspberry, smoked meat and soy, comes onto the palate brightly with ample fruit concentration covering its tannins, and finishes with lovely fresh berry tang, herbal pungency and salty-meaty savor.”-WA

2006 DOM. JOGUET Chinon “Cuvee Terroir” $19.99 (Loire Valley) EVOLVES BEAUTIFULLY in your glass! 100% cabernet franc, 20 yr old vines. “The tannins are melting, the bouquet fully expresses itself: drink now, no need to restrain yourself, it’s a wonderfully aromatic wine.”–Joguet

NEW ARRIVALS:  LOIRE VALLEY whites
Newly arrived: crisp, classy summer whites from the LOIRE VALLEY- excellent values! Stock up for your summer destination, pool, or patio.

2007 DOMAINE de REUILLY Pinot Gris $17.99
It’s pink, but not a rose. “Pale orange-pink color. Delicate tangerine and redcurrant aromas are complicated by honeysuckle and dusty minerals. Impressively pure and brisk on the palate, with tangy blood orange, red berry and talc flavors. Finishes dry and clean, with excellent clarity and refreshing cut. This is delicious!” —IWC

GREAT VALUES from FRANCE & ITALY
reds
2004 VERGET du SUD CHATEAU des TOURETTES Cabernet Sauvignon “Endes” $19.99
Run circles around your friends’ “Big Domestic Cab” with this ‘little’ European Import. Made by Jean-Marie Guffens of Burgundy fame, this beautiful ruby-garnet colored Cabernet Sauvignon has a character that makes me imagine a hypothetical blend of a Medoc Bordeaux and an excellent Super-Tuscan. Classic creme de cassis aromas intermingle with roasted red cherries as well as notes of cedar. In the mouth the wine is perfectly ripe with flavors of red-berry fruits, balsamic notes, and a long toasty finish.

2006 CHATEAU L’ERMITAGE Syrah “Via Compostelle” Costieres des Nimes Special $12.99! Winter’s chill instills a craving for the sun-splashed warmth of Mediterranean reds. This value-priced Syrah from the Costerieres des Nimes in southern France is grown in vineyards that line the 11th c. pilgrimage route from Europe to Santiago di Compostella.  “Via Compostelle” offers fresh, vibrant and uplifting aromas of blueberries, blackberries, violets, and minerals.  Syrah’s classic hint of white pepper punctuates the finish of this southern french beauty that behaves more like a Crozes-Hermitage from the northern Rhone. A great deal!

whites
2004 JEAN RIJCKAERT Cotes du Jura, Savagnin “Les Sarres” Reg. $23 Special $19.99  Add this to your new year’s resolution: lean, taut, fit, crisp, (but not lacking in exotic complexity), Savagnin, an indigenous white from the Cotes du Jura. Located east of Burgundy, the Jura shares the same Jurassic limestone foundation as Burgundy, giving their wines noteworthy characteristics of creamy stones, dusty chalk, and lemon-tinged minerals. Reminiscent of a great burgundy– think premier cru Chablis–but with a little something different, maybe fresh spring herbs–this is a wine that strikes a perfect balance between multi-dimensional flavor and great ‘Drinkability.’ A perfect match with fondue, scallops, lobster, or a simple buckwheat pasta with aged Fontina, wild mushrooms, and Brussels sprouts.

2005 LA COLOMBERA “Timorasso” Colli Tortonesi Reg. $19.99 Now $14.99!  “Timorasso” is an indigenous Piedmontese varietal unique to Colli Tortonesi, a region sandwiched between Gavi and Oltrepo Pavese. Aromas of baked-spiced, honey-tinged apples jump from the glass. The flavor of the wine is decidedly drier with orchard fruits predominating, leading to a long, powdery- mineral finish. Serve cool, but not overchilled — you’ll miss the parade of flavors!

NOTE: A selection of EGLY-OURIET will be opened for tasting in West Concord on Sat. Dec. 6, 2-5pm. Try, before you buy! 

EGLY-OURIET CHAMPAGNE: for those in the “know,” there is no other

Francis Egly, simply put, represents the pinnacle of artisanal winemaking in Champagne.
VINTAGES has championed the champagnes of EGLY-OURIET since our start. We have seen this small estate rise from the obscure to cult status, driven not by trends, but by Egly’s unparalleled standards of excellence. With increased demand, the starting point for champagne these days is high — make sure the dollars you spend are going toward quality and value, not trends and marketing. While other “prestige” champagnes can easily be had for a certain price, Egly-Ouriet champagne is both rare and exceptional. It is produced in microscopic quantities; it has few peers in terms of quality; and if you appreciate fine Champagne, it is certainly worth going any length to acquire.

With vines in Bouzy, Verzenay and in the heart of Ambonnay, Francis Egly is able to craft rich, vinous Champagne with incredible character, grace and length. Most of his vines are 30-40 years old–ancient for Champagne–and are very low-yielding. Egly’s work in the cellar is unparalleled; most of his wines spend years on “fine lees,” which contributes layers of concentration and a profound depth of flavor. Each label is marked with the disgorgement date and amount of time the wine spent on the lees. It is this extra step that shows just how serious a winemaker Francis Egly is, and why his wines are always in high demand.

If you are looking for the finest in Champagne, look no further.

1999 EGLY-OURIET Grand Cru Brut $159 (3 cases avail.) THIS WINE IS NOT IN THE SAT. TASTING!
(Disgorged July, 2008 after eight years on the lees.) “Light, bright yellow, with a frothy mousse. Deep, exotically perfumed bouquet of candied citrus, yellow apple, yellow plum, baking spices and sweet butter, plus an intriguing undertone of smoky minerals. Rich orchard fruit and brioche flavors are underscored by zesty minerals, gaining power and depth with air. Leaves anise and marzipan notes behind on the very long, sappy finish. At once rich and impressively energetic. A blend of 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay. 93 pts.“–IWC

NV EGLY-OURIET Brut Rose Grand Cru $105 (2 cases avail.)
(Disgorged July, 2008 after 48 months on the lees) 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. “Bright salmon-tinged pink. Wild strawberry, cherry skin and potpourri on the nose, which is complicated by candied ginger and gentle leesiness. Supple red fruit flavors are firmed by dusty minerals and given bite by a late note of white pepper. A juicy, deeply flavored pink Champagne that could handle rich fish dishes or aged cheeses. 92 pts.” –IWC

NV EGLY-OURIET Blanc de Noirs Brut $135 (2 cases avail.)
(Disgorged July, 2008 after 48 months on the lees) “Bright gold, with a steady bead. Strikingly complex nose offers a kaleidoscopic display of Meyer lemon, blood orange, baking spices and dried flowers. Lush, chewy citrus and pit fruit flavors are complicated by cherry pit and floral pastille qualities, with a late note of cinnamon. Clings impressively on the finish, which strongly echoes the cherry note. These vines are reportedly over 70 years old, from the grand cru Ambonnay. 93 pts.“–IWC

2000 EGLY-OURIET Grand Cru Brut Prestige Millesime $145 (3 cs. avail.)
(Disgorged in April 2008 after 82 mos. on the lees.) 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay from 40-year-old vines in Ambonnay, aged completely in barrel (25% new.) Virtually no dosage. Dazzlingly gold in the glass, with aromas of ginger-infused crème bruleé and honeyed nuts, followed by sweet peaches and white flowers. The mouth is luxurious and enticingly rich; oatmeal dotted with butter, a basket of fresh, ripe red berries; a peach turnover with toasted almonds. Like a great Meursault, with bubbles! Very fresh and lively.

EGLY-OURIET Grand Cru Brut “Tradition” $72
“The blend for the Tradition bottling is 75% pinot noir and 25% chardonnay, all from the grand cru villages Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay. Pale, vivid gold, with a frothy mousse. Energetic lemon, peach pit, pear, redcurrant and honeysuckle on the nose. Spicy, finely etched orchard fruit flavors are given depth and a refreshingly bitter edge by fruit skin and quinine. Gains weight on the broad, chewy, impressively persistent finish. 92 pts.”–IWC

Note: VINTAGES quantity discounts start at 6 bottles.

2007 CHATEAU ROQUEFORT CORAIL ROSE $19.99 VINTAGES Exclusive
Just arrived! The long-awaited rosé is finally here–and exclusive to VINTAGES! This beautiful, pristine rosé with racy, mouth-watering acidity is legendary — known to cause cravings on hot summer days. Celine Hymoff, former Asst. Wine Director, wants to know if anyone is driving to Cleveland, OH and can bring her a case!