NEW ARRIVALS: PIEDMONT

2003 GIUSEPPE CORTESE Barbaresco “Rabaja” Special $42. Rabaja for now. “Generous fruit with notable length on the palate and rich, intense personality… 91 pts.”–WA

2006 SAN FEREOLO Langhe Nebbiolo “La Provinciale” $28 A joint effort from San Fereolo and Giuseppe Rinaldi of Barolo! Dark brick, opaque color, earthy elegance, rich aromas, hint of licorice and blueberry, nice tannins on finish.

2007 ENZO BOGLIETTI Dolcetto “Tiglineri” $19.99
Big, concentrated dolcetto from a modern master!

white
2008 CAVALOTTO Langhe Pinot Nero Bianco $25
Unusual and elegant! 100% Pinot nero gently crushed to create this beautiful white wine from Serralunga in Piedmont.

PRE-ARRIVAL OFFER
2005 PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO RISERVAS $65

The 2005 vintage is here! And we were there!

VINTAGES’ Eric & Carolyn were visiting wine cellars in Barbaresco with friends Mark & Teresa Garti in September 2005 during the harvest. While we didn’t plan it that way –the ‘05 picking time was earlier than usual — it was very exciting to be there and experience the excitement first-hand. In fact, the photo at the top of this email shows a basket of freshly-harvested 2005 nebbiolo grapes from the Montestefano vineyard! More photos from that trip are in the Concord store.

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Asili” $65 “Sweet, sensual and perfumed. Today the wine remains extremely reticent, but the tannins show extraordinary purity and silkiness, suggesting the only thing missing is time. For now the 2005 Asili shows great integrity in its dark red fruit, with notable persistence on the palate and a round, powerful close. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 93 pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Moccagatta” $65 “One of the more compact, linear wines in this vintage. The Moccagatta offers up sensations of bright red fruits, flowers, spices and vanilla in a rather unyielding style. The wine should improve in bottle but the tannins will likely always remain somewhat firm. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 90 pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Montefico” $65  “Simply beautiful in the way it combines elements of florality and structure, which makes it one of the more complex, multi-faceted wines in 2005. Sweet roses blossom on the palate, followed by succulent ripe raspberries, mint and baking spices. As the wine sits in the glass the layers continue to fill out, revealing a wine of first-class pedigree. This is an exceptional effort from the Produttori! Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 93 pts.”–WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Montestefano” $65 “Reveals a seamless core of sweet roses, ripe, juicy raspberries and spices, all of which come together in a round, sensual expression of Nebbiolo. In 2005 the Montestefano possesses terrific freshness, detail and vibrancy. Licorice, leather and anise linger on the sublime finish. The Montestefano is one of the highlights among these Riservas. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 93 pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Ovello” $65 “Usually one of the more reticent of the estate’s Riservas, but in 2005 it is especially unyielding. Still firm and tightly wound, the wine possesses notable detail and clarity in its fruit in a focused, compact style. Based on previous experience, I may very well be underestimating this wine, but only time will tell for sure. After several hours the Ovello opened up nicely and my impression is it will develop into a splendid Barbaresco with time. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 92+ pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Paje” $65 “Opens with a blast of tar, menthol and smoke that leads to dark cherries, plums, leather and licorice. This is an especially powerful, shut-down Barbaresco at this stage, but with time in bottle the layers should fill out quite nicely. Today it remains compact and in need of further time in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 91 pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARECO RIS. “Pora”$65 “Wonderfully layered in its dark cherries, spices, menthol, licorice and minerals. The medium-bodied Pora is one of the firmer and more linear Riservas in 2005. Still, it shows exceptional balance in a powerful style that will require a measure of patience. Here, too, the finish is wonderfully elegant. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 92+ pts.” –WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Rabaja” $65 “Reveals gorgeous inner perfume in a powerful, structured style. This is a big, hulking Barbaresco, but its potential is evident, as the wine’s balance is impeccable. Still, readers will have to exercise considerable patience here. I have seldom been disappointed by older bottles of the Rabaja and expect the 2005 will turn out to be another fine vintage for this bottling as well. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030. 94 pts.” — WA

2005 BARBARESCO RIS. “Rio Sordo” $65 “Jumps from the glass with an exciting array of freshly cut roses, spices and raspberries. The 2005 is an especially dense, rich Rio Sordo endowed with superb depth and great overall balance. Floral notes accompany the wine from start to finish in an irresistible display of the perfume that makes Barbaresco such a sexy wine. In 2005 the Rio Sordo is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025. 92 pts.” –WA

RENATO RATTI BAROLO
Wine Tasting:
FRI. JAN. 8, 5-7pm, Belmont
SAT. JAN 9, 12-5pm, Concord
Presented by Eric Broege, wine director

What better way to begin the new year than with a taste of great Barolo? VINTAGES is very pleased to present the wines of our friend Pietro Ratti, owner & winemaker of the historic RENATO RATTI estate. Pietro’s family has done much to raise the profile of the Barolo region and literally put Barolo on the map! This is a great opportunity to taste a full range of new releases from a top Barolo estate, including three Barolos, a nebbiolo, barbera and a dolcetto. Terrific stuff!

“This is a wonderful set of new releases from Renato Ratti, one of Piedmont’s historic names. The 2005s are especially beautiful for their soft, textured fruit and well-integrated French oak.” –WA

2005 RATTI Barolo ‘Rocche’ $96 · 96pts
(15% off six pack = $81.60/btl)
Shows ripe strawberry and black cherry aromas, with hints of flowers. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and lots of fruit, vanilla and white pepper character. Long and rich. Best after 2012. 900 cases made. 96 pts. -WS

2005 RENATO RATTI Barolo “Conca” $86 · 94pts
(15% off six pack = $73.10/btl)
“Intense aromas of dried flowers and berries. Concentrated and full, with ripe fruit and supervelvety tannins. Long and gorgeous. Best after 2013. 575 cases. 94 pts.” – WS

2005 RENATO RATTI Barolo “Marcenasco” $50 · 96pts
“This fabulous Nebbiolo displays aromas of very ripe strawberry and cappuccino. Full-bodied, with super-velvety tannins and incredible concentration. All the tannins are coated with gorgeous fruit. Best after 2013. 5,000 cases. 96 pts.”- WS

2007 RATTI Nebbiolo d’Alba “Ochetti” $23  “Blackberry, spice and grilled meat aromas. Full-bodied, with soft tannins, ripe fruit and a spicy finish. Rich and generous. Like a very good Barolo. Drink now. 5,400 cases made.” -WS

2008 RATTI Barbera d’Alba “Torriglione” $19.99
“Sweet and smooth on the palate, with raspberry and cherry flavors complicated by a leathery nuance and framed by strong but harmonious acidity. Fine-grained with good length.” -IWA

2008 RATTI Dolcetto d’Alba “Colombe” $15.99
Classic example of dolcetto d’alba. Ratti’s dolcetto has always highlighted the elegance and versatility of this grape. Herb-tinged cherry fruit, with superfine, minerally tannins.

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

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS!
for the adventurous oenophile on your list!

1997 GIUSEPPE CORTESE Barbaresco “Rabaja” Special $55 net (was $75)
The highly-touted 1997 vintage created some very sumptuous Barbaresco! We are thrilled to offer this perfectly-cellared, ready-to-drink Barbaresco from this small, traditional family estate that has always taken great care with their wines. “The 1997 Rabaja is the finest Cortese Barbaresco I have tasted in over a decade. Aged completely in old foudres, it is a traditionally made Piedmontese exhibiting notes of root vegetables, raspberry and cherry jam, cedar and balsam wood, smoke, and minerals. The wine is full-bodied, powerful yet elegant, supple-textured, and surprisingly deep as well as delineated. Drink this hedonistic as well as intellectually satisfying Barbaresco now thru 2013. 92 pts.“-Robert Parker

* * *

AGED TO PERFECTION:
LE PIANE/CERRI BOCA LIBRARY RELEASE
Christoph Kunzli, a Swiss winemaker, was searching for the right property to begin a winery –his search ended at the historic ANTONIO CERRI estate in Boca, located in eastern Piedmont, with old vines of nebbiolo and vespolina, and a cellar full of  age-worthy Boca wines. Kunzli started his LE PIANE winery with the 1997 vintage.

The cellared CERRI BOCA DOC wines, a traditional blend of 85% Nebbiolo and 15% Vespolina aged in large barrels for 10+ years, have just arrived in Boston! VINTAGES previewed these wines months ago and made our selections of these exceptionally enjoyable, yet complex wines to offer to our customers. This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a selection of age-worthy Boca Nebbiolo wines, hand-selected and shipped directly from the cellar in Piedmont, Italy. Following are the selected CERRI BOCA DOC library wines:

1984 ANTONIO CERRI BOCA DOC $58
1985 ANTONIO CERRI BOCA DOC $58
1987 ANTONIO CERRI BOCA DOC $58
1989 ANTONIO CERRI BOCA DOC $58
1991 ANTONIO CERRI BOCA DOC $58

2004 LE PIANE BOCA DOC $58
 
LE PIANE/CERRI BOCA SIX-PACK includes one bottle of each:  Price $313 for six. 

From Adonna Imports. Very limited quantities: order now for arrival next week. 978-369-2545 or email info@vintagesonline.com

Join us for a tasting of CERRI & LE PIANE wines on THURS. DEC. 17 with Jeannie Rogers of Adonna Imports.

NEW ARRIVALS: TRADITIONAL PIEDMONT

2006 Albino Rocca ‘La Rocca’ $30 is made from 100% Cortese (the same grape as Gavi) and aged in French oak barrels. The 06 ‘La Rocca’ is a deep golden color, weighty and viscous with a beautifully complex and rich bouquet of apple pie ‘al la mode’ & buttered popcorn. Baked spiced apples, pie crust, carmel and vanilla cream, with notes of buttery, toasty oak. On the palate the wine has tremendous freshness, crisp apples, lively acidity, and powdery minerals, a hallmark of great wines made in Barbaresco. In short, a gorgeous, full-bodied white wine of great richness and complexity. HIGHLY recommended!

2005 Guido Porro ‘Vigneto “Santa Caterina” Barbera D’Alba $17.99 This traditional, gulp-able Barbera from Kermit Lynch is the real deal — Barbera as it should be, pure and fresh, not over-oaked or overwrought. Guido Porro, a small artisanal producer based in Serralunga, makes wines with a remarkable purity and clarity — qualities that have become quite rare. Jump on it!

WINE TASTING: SAN FEREOLO, Dogliani SAT. SEPT. 19, 2-5pm CONCORD Store

In the wild, windy hills of Dogliani (dol-yahnee) in Italy’s Piedmont region, the Dolcetto grape is king. Nicoletta Bocca of SAN FEREOLO is the pioneering spirit and artist behind these wines, grown amid the vineyards, meadows, and woods on her farm in the Dogliani hills. Nicoletta left her career in the city in the early 1990’s to farm her family’s vineyards in this challenging, distinctive terroir. In recent years, she led a group of Dogliani producers to obtain the important DOCG designation for Dogliani Dolcetto. At the same time, Nicoletta committed to biodynamic farming for all her vineyards and wines.

2003 SAN FEREOLO Dogliani Ris. “1593″ 1.5L $75 VINTAGES EXCLUSIVE
“1593″ refers to the year the dolcetto grape in Dogliani was first documented. This exceptional Dogliani Riserva is bottled by Nicoletta only in certain vintages, in tiny quantities. Absolutely, this is one memorable wine. In our experience, anyone who encounters “1593″ is compelled to get their hands on more. By then, it’s usually too late — the wine is long gone. SAN FEREOLO “1593″ is here again, only in magnums — perfect for an occasion when you wish to surprise your guests, or your host, with an exceptionally delicious, rare wine.
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2006 GIACOMO CONTERNO BARBERA $45

2006 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barbera d’Alba  “Cascina Francia” $45  ($38.25/btl for case purchase) NEARLY SOLD-OUT!
Eric & Carolyn visited Roberto Conterno at the GIACOMO CONTERNO estate during our trip to Piedmont. As you can see, Roberto was in fine form, and we tasted several barrel samples from recent vintages and new vineyards he recently acquired. While we wait –and wait– for the Barolos, the 2006 Barbera is a delight — or a “knockout.” Enjoy a taste of this prestigious estate for a special price!

“The 2006 Barbera d’Alba is a knockout. The aromatics alone are worth the price of admission. This rich, sumptuous Barbera tastes just like it did in barrel, which is to say plump, juicy and full of vibrant dark fruit. Notes of iron, tar and smoke that are typical of the Cascina Francia vineyard develop in the glass. The wine possesses stunning length and textural depth not to mention a finessed, harmonious personality. Stylistically it is also remarkably complete, as it combines the richness of fruit found in the 2003 with the greater perfume and finesse of the 2004 and 2005. It is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016. 93 pts.“–Wine Advocate

WINE TASTING: CANTINA del PINO, Barbaresco
Old vines, modern wines

FRI. MAY 29, 4:30-7PM, BELMONT
SAT. MAY 30, 1-5pm, WEST CONCORD
VINTAGES is always delighted to present the superb wines of our good friend, RENATO VACCA. Through visits back and forth, and our long-time support of his wines, we have forged a close friendship with Renato as well as a greater understanding of wines and winemaking in Piedmont. During our recent trip to Italy, we enjoyed Renato’s company at numerous dinners, cafes, and a long visit at his cellar in Barbaresco.  If you don’t yet know the excellent wines of Cantina del Pino, we encourage you to take this opportunity!

Renato Vacca, 3rd-generation grower, 1st-generation winemaker. Renato’s family was a long-time member of the Produttori del Barbaresco, the region’s top cooperative producer. In the mid-1990’s Renato and his father, Adriano, left the Produttori to establish their own estate, Cantina del Pino. 1997 was the first vintage bottled by Renato, and he’s never looked back. One of the new generation of producers in Barbaresco, Renato quickly proved to be a very skillful winemaker– certainly the family’s 70- year-old vineyards in the Ovello district offer a favorable advantage. Renato combines tradition with modern techniques to create classic wines, with true varietal character and pure flavors, in a beautifully elegant, age-worthy style. VINTAGES has long been a big fan of Cantina del Pino, as are many of our customers. Please join us Friday or Saturday and find out why!

WINES featured at the tasting Fri. & Sat.

2007 BRUNO GIACOSA Roero Arneis $38
“Bruno Giacosa’s Arneis is a knockout in 2007. This beautiful white reveals gorgeous inner sweetness in its ripe apricots, peaches and flowers. Although the wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation, it comes across as lush and full-bodied, with suggestions of botrytis that linger on the finish. 90 Pts.”"–Wine Advocate

2007 CANTINA del PINO Dolcetto d’Alba $15.99
A beautiful example of Dolcetto from one of the finest terroirs in the world, Barbaresco. Bright garnet-colored to violet-rimmed, with fresh red cherry fruit on the long powdery mineral finish. A perennial best-selling red wine for us that also demonstrates what a tremendous value Dolcetto can be from a great producer.

2006 CANTINA del PINO Langhe Nebbiolo $25
“Nebbiolo delle Langhe” is only required to be 85% nebbiolo and can be made from grapes grown anywhere in the Langhe. In Renato’s case, his Langhe Nebbiolo is 100% grown in Barbaresco from young vines in Ovello, Albesani (Santo Stefano), and Starderi. Extremely fresh and juicy but with fine, gripping tannins that are the hallmark of Nebbiolo from Barbaresco.

2006 CANTINA del PINO Barbera d’Alba $32
Quite simply one of the best examples of Barbera made for any price! Renato’s Barbera is unique in that it is made from 60+ year-old vines growing in one of most storied vineyard sites in Barbaresco, the vineyard of Cassotto in the cru Ovello. Made in an absolutely pure and un-adulterated fashion, this is Barbera at it’s best, ripe dark cherry fruit with beautiful vibrant acidity, and notes of toasty oak.  

2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco $49
“The 2005 Barbaresco is a gorgeous, captivating Barbaresco that reveals superb depth in its sweet red cherries, menthol, pine, spices and minerals. The wine is vibrant and poised, with firm tannins that give it a somewhat austere personality. With some time in the glass its perfumed core of sweet fruit emerges, and a few years in bottle should help it come together even more. This is a very pretty Barbaresco from Cantina del Pino. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2023. 92 pts.” –Wine Advocate

2004 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco “Ovello” $65  94 pts!

SPECIAL 20% OFF case orders!
“2004 Barbaresco Ovello ..is an exceptional wine that expresses the pedigree of the vintage in its sweet, expansive personality. Ripe dark fruit, toasted oak and balsamic nuances are all woven together in a powerful, structured style. Ovello is one of the cooler micro-climates in Barbaresco. It should develop beautifully over the following years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. 94 pts.” –Wine Advocate

NEW ARRIVALS: PIEDMONT VALUES in Red & White from Rosenthal Wine Imports
These two small estates from Piedmont–LUIGI FERRANDO and DEFORVILLE– offer remarkable wines that represent the handcrafted, finely-made artisan traditions of the region; wines with real character and elegance.

2007 FERRANDO Canavese Rosso “La Torrazza” $19.99 Blend of nebbiolo and barbera. Fresh and lively red with generous berry fruit and welcome woodsy notes. Very much a red wine for spring; aromas of cherry blossom mingling with forest floor, bursting with fresh fruit and sweet fine tannins. A real find!

2007 DEFORVILLE Piemonte CHARDONNAY $17.99
Absolutely entrancing chardonnay; lovely nose, very elegant fruit flavors and silky texture; exquisite and delightful. Like a springtime bloom!

2004 DEFORVILLE BARBARESCO “Loreto” $39 ($33.15/btl case price) Superb value for a cru vineyard in Barbaresco –not to mention that 2004 is an outstanding vintage!
Since the mid-1800’s, the Deforville estate, run by the Anfosso family, has been growing nebbiolo in Barbaresco; they began bottling their own harvest in the 1940’s.
Loreto is a small, historic cru vineyard in the classic zone of Barbaresco under cultivation since 1000 A.D. The 2004 Deforville “Loreto” is made in the traditional manner, and offers classic flavors of truffle, porcini mushroom, consommé, savory and earthy notes, firm tannins and structure.

 Classic, age-worthy wines from a small, artisanal producer in a great vintage – what could be better?