Back in stock!
2006 SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA Chianti Classico $14.99 (Reg. $17.99)
The ultimate value in Chianti Classico! 2006 was an excellent vintage in Tuscany, and Savignola Paolina is a “classic” wine from the village of Greve in Chianti. Aromas of ripe berries, with hints of flowers and ripe plums. Med-full bodied, with a solid core of fruit and fine, sweet  tannins.

NEW! TUSCAN Extra Virgin Olive Oil from SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA
This rich, creamy, yet translucent EVOO from Chianti winery Savignola Paolina is absolutely stunning! Early hand-picking into small cases and the immediate pressing of the olives creates an olive oil with lower acidity that is particularly rich in texture. Perfect gift for the foodie on your list!
Savignola Paolina Extra-Virgin Olive Oil 500ml $25
Savignola Paolina Extra-Virgin Olive Oil 750ml $35

2008 OTTELLA Rosso “Gemei” $14.99 VINTAGES exclusive!

This new release of a favorite merlot blend from the Veneto is back in stock! Dark cherry fruit, sweet tannins and smooth finish. A great go-to red for any occasion, and a great value!

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: Veneto
Sat. Oct. 3, 2-5pm CONCORD

Perfect for the transition to fall, the wines of the VENETO offer ripe, raisined fruit, roasted nuts and spices, and a smooth finish. Great with autumnal meals.

2004 TOMMASO BUSSOLA Valpolicella Ripasso $25
“Ripasso” refers to the addition of Amarone grape must to the fermented Valpolicella, which adds more body, complexity and flavor. Tommaso Bussola aged his 2004 Ripasso exclusively in Austrian oak.
Eric’s tasting notes: “Deep, dark baked flavors of spiced walnut and cherry-chocolate cake. Balanced in a BIG way.”
“2004 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Ca’ del Laito reveals notable richness in its ripe jammy fruit, caramelized sugar, grilled herbs and toasted oak. The wine offers terrific depth on the palate in an engaging style.” -Wine Advocate

2006 OTTELLA Campo Sireso Rosso Veronese $25
Blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Corvina Veronese. Selection of grapes hand-harvested exclusively from estate vineyards. Aged in barriques. Aromatic with plum, vanilla and spice, elegant, well-balanced with dark cherry and sweet tannins; smooth finish with a spicy note. Impressive!

2007 LE SALETTE Valpolicella Classico $14.99
“Pretty and delicate in its red fruit, sweet herbs, licorice and cracked black pepper. This soft, floral Valpolicella is best enjoyed on the young side.” - WA Continue Reading »

WINE DOG DEAL: Veneto
Angiolino Maule “Masieri” $10.99
Biodynamic Bargain

2005 La Biancara di ANGIOLINO MAULE “I Masieri” Bianco $10.99
Angiolino’s estate, in the hamlet of Biancara, now covers about 9 ha planted principally to Garganega. For more than 16 years now, he has used biodynamic viticulture, as well as non-interventionist vinification using natural yeasts, and without temperature control or fining/filtration. “I Masieri Bianco” is 100% Garganega from the Masieri vineyard aged in stainless steel tanks — a fresh, crsip, authentic expression of grape and place. It’s why we love wine!

WINE TASTING: VENETO, new arrivals
SAT. SEPT. 19, 3-7pm BELMONT Store
For pure drinking pleasure from aperitivo to postre, the range of wines from Italy’s Veneto region is tough to beat. Join us in Belmont on Saturday to taste a selection of these very sociable, flavorful wines.

Featured wines:
2004 TOMMASO BUSSOLA Valpolicella Ripasso $25
“Ripasso” refers to the addition of Amarone grape must to the fermented Valpolicella, which adds more body, complexity and flavor. Tommaso Bussola aged his 2004 Ripasso exclusively in Austrian oak.
Eric’s tasting notes: “Deep, dark baked flavors of spiced walnut and cherry-chocolate cake. Incredibly rich with huge chocolately tannins. Balanced in a BIG way.”

“2004 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Ca’ del Laito reveals notable richness in its ripe jammy fruit, caramelized sugar, grilled herbs and toasted oak. The wine offers terrific depth on the palate in an engaging style.” –Wine Advocate

2003 TOMMASO BUSSOLA Valpolicella “TB” $40
“The 2003 Valpolicella Classico Superiore TB is wonderfully seamless in its vibrant dark cherries, chocolate and spice notes. It offers outstanding depth, notable poise and a long, finessed finish. Though not labeled as such, it too is made with the ripasso method, in this case using the leftover pomace from the estate’s top Amarone bottlings. It spent two years in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2013. 90 pts.” — Wine Advocate

2008 ADAMI Prosecco Giardino “Tranquilo” (still) $17.99 -bubble-free Prosecco!
Top Prosecco estate ADAMI breaks new ground with a “still” version of their wine from their excellent Giardino vineyard. Delicate aromas and flavors, fresh, with flavors of green apple. An ideal wine for lighter meals, fish and as an aperitif. Even without the sparkle, it shines!

Continue Reading »