Wine Tasting Fri. May 14 4-7pm & Sat. May 15 4-6:30pm, Belmont
New Values from Spain!

Including WINE DOG DEALS for May (20% off case purchase):

2009 GARCIAREVALO Casamaro Blanco $10.99 (Rueda) “Garciarevalo’s 2009 Casamaro Blanco is 90% Verdejo and 10% Viura fermented in tank. Medium straw-colored, it displays a nose of baking spices, mineral, citrus, and pit fruits. Crisp, balanced, and intense in the mouth, this spicy offering will provide pleasure over the next 18 mos. It is an excellent value.” -WA

2009 CAPCANES Mas Donis Rosado $10.99 (Montsant)
“The 2009 Mas Donis Rosado is a blend of 80% Garnacha with the balance 10% Syrah and Merlot. Deep pink, it offers up an intense cherry and peach bouquet. On the palate it has excellent volume and a long, fruit-filled finish. Drink it over the next 18 months.”-WA

2007 ERCAVIO Roble Tempranillo $11.99 (La Mancha)
“Mas Que Vinos’ 2007 Ercavio Roble, made up of 100% Tempranillo and aged for five mos. in French and American oak. Opaque purple in color, it delivers an expressive nose of cedar, earth notes, black cherry, and blackberry liqueur. Thick, dense, and opulent on the palate, it has gobs of savory black fruit, licorice and spice notes, enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years, and a lengthy finish. It totally over-delivers for its humble price. This is one to buy by the case. 90+ pts.”-WA

PLUS MORE!

2008 ARBANTA Rioja $14.99 (Rioja Baja)
Organically farmed, 100% Tempranillo from 20-year old vines planted at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria mountains. Spicy floral aromas with striking mineral notes. Delivers excellent structure along with a solid core of fruit.

2008 BURGANS Albarino $11.99 (Galicia)
Burgans Albarino is made at the famous Bodega Martin Codax winery in Rias Baixas. White flower aromas and juicy pit fruit deliver an appealing mouthful followed by a refreshing citrus finish.

NEW ARRIVALS — ROSE!

2009 COTEAUX du VENDOMOIS Lieu-dit Cocagne Rose $9.99 100% Pineau d’Aunis– last year’s fan favorite!

2009 PETIT BOURGEOIS Rose de Pinot Noir $14.99
100% Pinot Noir from Loire Valley; dry, crisp and elegant!

2009 Chat. de LASCAUX Rose $15.99
Blend of Syrah, Grenache from the Languedoc – Refreshing berry fruit!

2009 MAS DONIS Capcanes Rose $10.99
Blend of 80% Garnacha with 10% each Syrah and Merlot. Beautiful intense fruit with a long finish from sunny Spain!

MAY “WINE DOG” DEALS! New in Red, White & Rose!

Ferdy the Wine Dog has sniffed out a trio of favorites from Spain!  Load up for your upcoming family events & social gatherings! VINTAGES monthly “Wine Dog Deals” are 20% off for a case purchase!

New from SPAIN — WINE DOG DEAL in Red, White & Rose!

2007 ERCAVIO Roble Tempranillo $11.99 (La Mancha)
“Mas Que Vinos’ 2007 Ercavio Roble, made up of 100% Tempranillo and aged for five mos. in French and American oak. Opaque purple in color, it delivers an expressive nose of cedar, earth notes, black cherry, and blackberry liqueur. Thick, dense, and opulent on the palate, it has gobs of savory black fruit, licorice and spice notes, enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years, and a lengthy finish. It totally over-delivers for its humble price. This is one to buy by the case. 90+ pts.”-WA

Reg. Great Value = $11.99  WINE DOG Price = $9.59

2009 GARCIAREVALO Casamaro Blanco $10.99 (Rueda) “Garciarevalo’s 2009 Casamaro Blanco is 90% Verdejo and 10% Viura fermented in tank. Medium straw-colored, it displays a nose of baking spices, mineral, citrus, and pit fruits. Crisp, balanced, and intense in the mouth, this spicy offering will provide pleasure over the next 18 mos. It is an excellent value.” -WA

Reg. Great Value = $10.99  WINE DOG Price = $8.79

2009 CAPCANES Mas Donis Rosado $10.99 (Montsant)
“The 2009 Mas Donis Rosado is a blend of 80% Garnacha with the balance 10% Syrah and Merlot. Deep pink, it offers up an intense cherry and peach bouquet. On the palate it has excellent volume and a long, fruit-filled finish. Drink it over the next 18 months.”-WA

Reg. Great Value = $10.99  WINE DOG Price = $8.79

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?

Thursday April 22: lunch @ Via Matta with Neal Rosenthal
The lunch was originally planned as a reception and tasting hosted by Martino Manetti of MONTEVERTINE winery in Radda, Chianti, along with Neal Rosenthal of Rosenthal Wines. Martino’s flight was delayed by volcanic ash, so Neal presented the wines.

Background: The focus of Montevertine, begun by father Sergio Manetti and carried on by son Martino, is to allow a pure expression of Sangiovese; a noble grape that needs no help from “international” grape varieties to achieve greatness. Sangiovese in its unadulterated state, a pure and beautiful expression of grape, place and vintage. While this approach would be considered traditional in many regions, in Chianti, it is a radical stance. Consumers and critics often want Chianti and Sangiovese to taste like other familiar wines, Cab, Merlot, etc.; Montevertine chose a different path decades ago.

MONTEVERTINE

The wines of MONTEVERTINE were on display in all of their ethereal glory! Beautifully elegant, pale to ruby-colored and medium-bodied, yet profoundly complex and multi-dimensional. Literally layer upon layer of fine tannins, powdery minerals and pristine Sangiovese fruit. Because of the estate’s non-interventionist approach to winemaking, the wines convey a purity and clarity that are almost unheard of in Tuscany; much closer in style to Burgundy or Barbaresco. Also, because of this purity and clarity, the wines of Montevertine showed with great precision the differences between the last several vintages– 2007-2003 — all through the delicious lens of the estate’s three wines: Pian del Ciampolo, Montevertine & Le Pergole Torte.

Pian del Ciampolo 2007, 2006: 2007 being more forward, exuding more fruit and a juicier character. 2006 was more structured, more austere, more firm.

‘Montevertine’ 2005, 2004, 2003: 2005 was a very difficult vintage but probably the most memorable wine, a ringer for a beautiful example of Burgundy Chambolle! Elegant silky- fine tannins are a delight to drink now. 2004 is a serious wine from a great vintage, built for the long-haul. 2003 is another great achievement! I guess we can say old-vines and high elevation helped save this wine from the brutal heat of 2003. Anybody who’s had the pleasure of drinking the 2003 Le Pergole Torte can attest to their success with this challenging vintage.

‘Le Pergole Torte’ 2006, 2004: Two great wines, two great vintages. 2004 is starting to show some secondary aromas and flavors, but still a baby. And 2006 is just stunningly pure and lush. Beautifully pure Sangiovese fruit, very rich but in no way heavy. 2006’s tannins are well hidden within the wine’s luxurious fruit while the 2004’s gripping tannins were on full display.

Buried Treasure

Yellow-gold with pale-gold highlights, compelling, aromas of buttered popcorn, toasted hazelnuts, grapefruit zest, and orange blossoms; aromatically reminiscent of of an aged white Burgundy. In the mouth, the wine is bright and fresh with flavors of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, candied orange peel, and finishes with a long, salty buttery popcorn flavor… Wow!

Pride in our Piedmont Picks
Blowing our own horn

A toast to the newest member of the VINTAGES’ team: McLean Oakeson

McLean recently moved up to Boston from Richmond, Virginia. In her former life, she was the wine shop manager of Barrel Thief Wine Shop & Cafe, as well as the board director (and singer) of a classical chamber choir. She also recently received her CSW, Certified Specialist of Wine, from the Society of Wine Educators.

We are excited to welcome McLean to VINTAGES and to Boston! Next time you’re in the Belmont shop, please stop and say hello!

WINE DOG DEAL!
Tremendous value!
2003 ZERBINA Pietramora Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva Reg. $50 Now $25

The 2003 PIETRAMORA Sangiovese riserva is a full-bodied sangiovese that is the antithesis of the elegance and finese of chianti. Weighing in at a whopping 15 percent alcohol, with hugh chewy tannins, this is an ideal cold-weather wine, hearty and robust with deep black fruits…..think big cab or bordeaux.
Ferdy worked his tail off to get a great deal on this “Tre Bicchieri” award winner from the Gambero Rosso. WOOF!

HAPPY 2010! VINTAGES celebrates ten years of Wine Adventures 2000-2010!

Ten years of tastings, trips & toasts — and a whole lotta great wine– since we began in January, 2000. We raise our glass to our awesome & adventurous customers:  thanks for 10 great years–here’s to 10 more! Stay tuned for upcoming events!