The folks at Alessandria in Barolo have done it again – delivered one of the most compelling white wines of the summer – this time from local grape “Favorita.” A white with fresh aromas, lush, lip-smacking fruit in the mouth, and powdery minerals on the finish. A great pairing with the underground runaway hit PELAVERGA red.  It doesn’t get any better than this — blow away your hosts or guests; serve ALESSANDRIA Pelaverga Verduno $19.99 and Langhe Favorita $19.99 at your next social opportunity! Chill the red and the white for best results!

2006 PAOLO BEA “San Valentino” Umbria Rosso $30!
Tremendous wine — incredible price.
If you are FAMILIAR with the legendary Montefalco wines of PAOLO BEA and you just received this on your smart phone, then you’re already on your way over to load up! If you have even a tiny bit of curiosity about Montefalco or Paolo Bea wines, don’t wait too long. The 2006 Paolo Bea “San Valentino” Umbria Rosso at $30 is a great value — the Bea’s line-up generally starts at $50 for the white and goes up from there.

Giampiero Bea, son of Paolo, pursues a natural, non-interventionalist approach to winemaking – a risky venture that yields tremendous rewards when nature is generous. The San Valentino Rosso is Sangiovese and Montepulciano from a 50+-year-old vineyard in which all the grape varieties are planted together. Aromas of cherries, herbal scrub, tobacco and spice jump

from the glass; concentrated dark fruits and very elegant tannins offer great appeal.
The Paolo Bea wines are all about subtlety, grace and elegance; a delightful contrast to the rugged, wildly beautiful land and earthy flavorful foods of Montefalco.

“Wholly unique. Idiosyncratic. The Bea family’s decidedly traditional approach continues to provide the most authentic and unrestrained expressions of the Sagrantino grape variety and that magical hilltop town in Umbria that is Montefalco.”

Wine Tasting Sat. May 15, 2-5pm, Concord
NEW & EXCLUSIVE FROM ITALY

2008 MASARI Agnobianco $19.99 EXCLUSIVE (special 20% off case!) Elegant blend of Garganega and Durella from the Soave area of the Veneto. Intriguing tangerine rind, papaya and bitter almond notes in a silky delivery system with driving minerality.

2009 LE FRAGHE Bardolino Chiaretto Rose “Rodon” $14.99 From Matilde Poggi at Le Fraghe, this Chiaretto (or rose) is a blend of Corvina and Rondinella. Cherry red with purple highlights, Rodòn offers delicate notes of wild rose followed by wild strawberry and redcurrant. Crisply refreshing with a persistent finish, “Rodon” is a perfect balance of delicate flavors and inviting minerality.

2008 Fra. ALESSANDRIA Verduno Pelaverga $19.99 EXCLUSIVE
Hands down, the most intriguing “summer red” we’ve tasted! But don’t be deceived by the light color of this wine from the Pelaverga grape grown only in the town of Verduno in northern Barolo. This aromatic red develops in the glass showing beautiful plum and currant flavors, with a hint of white pepper on the long finish! molto buono!

2008 LUCIANO SANDRONE Dolcetto d’Alba $22
From one of the modern masters of Barolo, the 2008 Dolcetto d’Alba is a pretty, medium-bodied red with appealing dark fruit, licorice, spices and a characteristic pleasantly bitter note on the finish.

2005 SAN FEREOLO Langhe Nebbiolo “Provinciale” $28 EXCLUSIVE It’s not surprisingthat this debut bottling from Nicoletta Boca at San Fereolo with a little help from her friend Giuseppe Rinaldi, has yielded an amazingly delicious nebbiolo that approaches the depth and complexity of a young Barolo!  Dark brick, opaque color, earthy elegance, rich aromas, hint of licorice and blueberry, nice tannins on finish. Let it evolve in your glass, decant, or revisit the next day or three for best results. A drinker & a keeper!

Need a couple of great bottles to enjoy during the week? Looking to upgrade your ‘house’ wine selections?
Then don’t miss our April Wine Dog Deals! 

Every month, Ferdy the “Wine Dog” sniffs out great deals for you to take home and lap up!  Often exclusive—always exceptional values. Woof.

20% off solid cases of our current Wine Dog Deal!

This month, Ferdy recommends a Red and a White from one of our favorite wine regions, Piedmont, Italy:

2008 GUIDOBONO Langhe Nebbiolo $11.99
20% off Case Price: $9.59!

Guidobono is known for cultivating textbook examples of traditional Piedmont varietals that are still great values!  With a classic nose of earth and violets, you won’t find quality Nebbiolo for this price anywhere else—a real steal from the Langhe!

2008 LA COLOMBERA “Bricco Bartolomeo” Cortese $11.99
Case Price: $9.59!

Young winemaker Elisa Semino has crafted this single-vineyard Cortese offering crisp, citrus notes with some floral hints—perfect for appetizers, lighter fare, and “buona e semplice beva” (good and simple drinkability)!

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!

WINE TASTING “SAN FEREOLO: Soul of Dogliani”
Sat. February 28, 2-5pm, Belmont store

In the wild, windy hills of Dogliani (dol-yahnee) in Italy’s Piedmont region, the Dolcetto grape is king. Nicoletta Bocca 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 DOCG designation for Dogliani Dolcetto. In recent years, Nicoletta committed to biodynamic farming for all her vineyards and wines.

2004 SAN FEREOLO LANGHE BIANCO “Raviolo” $25 VINTAGES EXCLUSIVE! The signature sunburst on the San Fereolo label promises a warm, sunny smile of contentment as we sip. Aromas of hay & wild flowers, dried apricot flavors, rich, satisfying texture. Enjoy with hearty or spicy foods, or on its own!

2004 SAN FEREOLO “AUSTRI” Langhe Barbera $27
“Austri” is an earthy, rich red made from Barbera grapes grown in Dogliani. Beautiful deep berry and plum flavors, rich and lush, a hint of minerals and wildflowers.

2004 SAN FEREOLO DOLCETTO di Dogliani Superiore $19.99 “Three Glasses” Award. The flagship red of San Fereolo, bursting with deep cherry fruit, cocoa powder tannins, and grassy herbal notes. A great example of Dogliani terroir.

2005 SAN FEREOLO DOLCETTO di Dogliani “Valdiba” Special $11.99  This entry-level dolcetto from San Fereolo is one of the few wines at this price that tastes better the next day! Great structure, cherry fruit, dusty cocoa and mineral notes. Tremendous wine value!

“Enticing aromas of meat-and-mushroom pie mingle with rich plum and spices. Full-bodied, with silky, caressing tannins and intense fruit and mineral flavors. Well-crafted, finishing long. The flagship Brunello in 2003. This is the wine of the vintage. Best after 2010. 2,800 cases made. 95 pts.” –W.S.

Power & Finesse in Tuscany:
CASTELL’IN VILLA, Castelnuovo

Castell’in Villa is a medieval hamlet dating back to the 1200’s. The medieval stone tower is the home of Princess Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa. The princess is never in a hurry to release her wines, as the current releases demonstrate. But they are regularly worth waiting for, as the Princess is a perfectionist and her vineyards are some of the best in all of Chianti Classico.

“Super-Tuscan” Santa Croce
2003 Castell in’Villa “Santa Croce” $75
The Castell’in Villa Santacroce is a thoroughly complex wine — considered a super-tuscan- combining both the old and new styles of contemporary wine making. The 2003 is the first vintage since 1997 for the Santa Croce.

1997 Castell in’Villa “Santa Croce” $95
The 1997 Santa Croce (50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Sangiovese) is another wine that beautifully integrates the generous qualities of the warm vintage with a classic conception of structure. It offers varietal Cabernet notes on the nose along with plenty of sweet dark fruit, spice and tar notes that develop in the glass, underpinned by the acidity from the Sangiovese with a lingering note of sweetness on the long, elegant finish. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2022.

Chianti Classico Riserva
“Castell’in Villa is an excellent source for traditionally- styled Chiantis. The highlights of this line-up are the Chianti Classico Riservas, which are capable of
developing gracefully in bottle for decades. Each year the estate re-releases a few of its older vintages, which gives consumers the rare ability to purchase lovingly-stored collectible wines with perfect provenance, something that has become all too rare in today’s world.”– Wine Advocate

1986 Castell in’Villa Chianti Classico Ris. $95
1993 Castell in’Villa Chianti Classico Ris. $75
The Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva is made of Sangiovese grapes entirely from our best vineyards. The wine is blended and aged in oaks for 2-3 years. The Riserva is concentrated, with substantial tannins and an elegant fragrance. The taste is complex, showing ripe fruit, black cherries and some deep earthy spicy tones.

These traditional, artisanal gems and many others, are imported by Jeannie Rogers, Adonna Imports & Il Capriccio restaurant. Enjoy!

BRUNO GIACOSA, BARBARESCO & BAROLO (Piedmont, Italy)
“At a time in life when many of his colleagues have begun to slow down, Bruno Giacosa continues to make stunning wines of the highest level. Of course Giacosa has the good fortune of having the services of long-time oenologist Dante Scaglione, who is one of the most prodigiously talented winemakers in Italy. Simply put, 2004 will go down as one of the all-time great Giacosa vintages for both Barolo and Barbaresco.“–Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

2004 BRUNO GIACOSA Barbaresco “Rabaja” $225 97 pts. ($191.25/btl case price)
“The 2004 Barbaresco Rabaja is off the charts. It boasts phenomenal richness and complexity in its dark, brooding aromatics and powerful structure, with suggestions of roses, tar, menthol, coffee beans and baking spices that emerge from the glass in an endless display of elegance married to sheer force. Although the Rabaja will be released as a white label non-Riserva, it is very close to Riserva-level quality. I would not be surprised to see the Rabaja merit a higher score in another year or two. This magnificent wine will especially appeal to readers who enjoy a structured style of Barbaresco. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. 97 pts.“- Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

2004 BRUNO GIACOSA Barbaresco “Santo Stefano” $270 ($229.50/btl case price) 95 pts. Single-vineyard Barbaresco. “Giacosa’s 2004 Barbaresco “Santo Stefano” is a superb wine. Sweet, floral, mentholated aromatics meld into an expressive core of ripe fruit, with superb length and elegant tannins to round out the finish. Made in a more linear style than the Asili and Rabaja, it doesn’t possess the expansiveness of those two wines, but it does reveal tremendous depth, harmony and balance. This pure, sweet, long Barbaresco is the best Santo Stefano in years. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022. 95 pts.”–Robert Parker

2004 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto $270 ($229.50/btl case purchase) 96 pts.
“Giacosa’s 2004 Barolo Falletto is so compelling it will be hard not to drink it in its youth. This gorgeous Barolo reveals a deeply structured frame layered with sweet dark fruit, mint, spice and pine. At once delicate and powerful, it is a beautifully finessed wine that is sure to provide much pleasure. A recent bottle of the 1982 is a testament to the virtues of this great site as interpreted by Bruno Giacosa. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. 96 pts.” –Robert Parker