Nov
29
2008
ROSENTHAL IMPORTS WINE TASTING
featuring MICHAEL KANE of Rosenthal
SAT. DEC. 6, 2-5pm, BELMONT store
Please join us for a taste of the distinctive, terroir-driven wines of Rosenthal Wine Merchant. For thirty years, Neal Rosenthal has carefully selected artisanal wines that profoundly express their origins and traditions — “the best of wines will always proudly tell you from where they come.”
The informative and inspiring MICHAEL KANE of Rosenthal will be at VINTAGES’ Belmont shop 2-5pm to present the wines. Michael is a veritable fountain of precise and passionate knowledge about what’s in your glass! No “tasting notes” necessary!
white
2006 DOM. PHILIPPE FOREAU Vouvray Sec $33 (Loire Valley)
Philippe Foreau is the third generation of the Foreau family to produce Vouvray from this fabled domaine which his grandfather purchased in 1923. Philippe assumed the direction of the domaine in 1983 upon the retirement of his father, Andre. Today the domaine consists of 11 1/2 hectares planted to Chenin Blanc.
2006 JEAN-MARC PILLOT Saint-Romain Blanc $38 (Burgundy)
Under Jean-Marc’s direction, this domaine has arrived at the very top of its class with wines that are intensely fruity, graceful, and precise.
2007 FERRANDO Erbaluce di Caluso “La Torrazza” $19.99 (Piedmont, Italy)
Erbaluce is an ancient white grape originally from the alpine foothills of northern Piedmont. It has bright acidity, and an elegant underlying minerality. Luigi Ferrando makes a delicious example of this white.
Champagne:
NV ROGER COULON BRUT “Tradition” 1er cru $50
Eric and Isabelle Coulon are “Recoltants-manipulants” (Grower-Producer) at Vrigny, 10 kms from Reims. For eight generations, the Coulon family has produced and sold its own wine. Their NV Roger Coulon Brut “Tradition” is 50% pinot meunier, 25% chardonnay, 25% pinot noir.
red
2004 FERRANDO CAREMA white label $38 (Piedmont)
The Carema “Etichetta Bianca” (white label) is aged for a minimum of four years, of which at least two are spent in barrel (a combination of large and small).
2004 FERRANDO CAREMA black label $78 (Piedmont)
The Carema “Etichetta Nera” (black label) is vinified and aged in similar fashion, but is only produced in exceptional years, and is exposed to a touch more small barrel aging (some new).
2006 BROVIA BARBERA “Brea” $33 (Piedmont)
Sisters Elena and Cristina Brovia are the fourth generation to carry on the family winemaking traditions of this distinguished estate. The Barbera “La Brea” is from a vineyard in Serralunga, lending intense flavor, power and structure to this energetic, aromatic barbera.
Feb
28
2008
The GIACOMO BORGOGNO estate was started in 1848. The family has 20 h of vineyards in some of the best sites of Barolo including Cannubi, Cannubi Boschis, and Brunate. This very traditional estate is the only Barolo maker that cellars vintages back to 1961 and re-release them periodically, bringing Piedmontese history to your table! 1961, 1978, 1989 and 1999 are still available! Continue Reading »
Feb
28
2008
1999 CAVALLOTTO Barolo Riserva “San Giuseppe” $72 (94 pts) & winner of the prestigious “Three Glasses” award. Eric Broege visited this estate in Piedmont last spring and gained a greater understanding of the philosophy and operation of this outstanding winery. Notes from a wine critic who had a change of heart:
“It appears I underestimated the 1999 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe when I last tasted it a year or so ago. It is another classic San Giuseppe, with an expressive nose that is remarkable for its detail. Spices, violets, tar, menthol all emerge to complement the sweet dark fruit that hides under the wine’s intense, massive structure. Continue Reading »
Feb
27
2008
Women of DOGLIANI- San Fereolo & Abbona
In the wild, windy hills of Dogliani (dol-yahnee) in Italy’s Piedmont region, the Dolcetto grape is king; Nebbiolo is not allowed (neither is Barbera, but let’s keep that under our hats). Piedmont winemakers Nicoletta Boca of San Fereolo and Anna Maria Abbona both pursued other careers in the city before returning to their family vineyards to make a go of it. If Nicoletta has her way, (and she will) 2004 is the last vintage of “Dolcetto di Dogliani” on the label; future vintages will have the new, streamlined designation: DOGLIANI DOCG. This status is a recognition of the high-quality, distinctive wines that these winemakers and others have achieved.
Feb
27
2008
SAN FERELO IS BACK!
The signature sunburst on the San Fereolo label promises a warm, sunny smile of contentment as we sip. Nicoletta Boca is the pioneering spirit behind these wines, grown amid the vineyards, meadows, and woods on her farm in the Dogliani hills.
2003 SAN FEREOLO AUSTRI Langhe Barbera $26
“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 the wildflowers.
2004 SAN FEREOLO DOLCETTO di Dogliani Superiore $17.99 “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.
Feb
27
2008
“Even though attending an art school may apparently have nothing to do with my actual job, the sensibility acquired helps me very much in this work. With my husband, I principally share a constant research of methods to produce higher quality wines.” –Anna Maria Abbona
2004 ANNA MARIA ABBONA Dolcetto di Dogliani “Maioli” $19.99
From the oldest estate-owned vineyard (80+ years) Abbona produces their Maioli Dolcetto di Dogliani. Low yields and perfect ripeness result in an intense violet color, distinct and complex fragrances, deep plum and blueberry flavors, and a full, long, balanced palate. Pretty, yet powerful style of dolcetto; best with rich and savory dishes.
Feb
27
2008
2003 MARGE PRIORAT (red) Special $19.99!
One of the most magical settings in Spain, the Priorat lies in the rugged hills of Northeastern Spain in Catalan, not far from Barcelona. Although the region has been producing grapes for centuries, it did not gain international fame as a world-class winemaking region until the 1990’s. From Celler de l’Encastell, “Marge” is a blend of 60% Garnacha, with Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet aged in French and American oak. Named for the local term for stone walls, “Marge” offers pretty aromas of of pepper, spices, black cherry, and black currants. A plush, ripe, wine with nicely balanced structure. Woof!
Our price: $19.99
List price: $25
Feb
01
2008
Was it a dream, or was it perfectly matured Barbaresco? There were many highlights of the 2008 Barbaresco Wine Fest, featuring ALDO VACCA of Produttori del Barbaresco, and RENATO VACCA of Cantina del Pino. At the STIR dinner in Boston, intrepid participants discovered the incredible longevity of traditional Barbaresco from the Produttori–truly astounding! At the OLEANA dinner in Cambridge, guests tasted traditional Barbaresco, and a range of stunning Piedmont wines from Renato Vacca, a rising star in Piedmont, who has been making wine for barely ten years! We celebrated these very different, and equally impressive accomplishments by both wineries by, well, tasting them, of course! Thanks to all who participated and made this a very memorable event to start the new year in vino! (For more photos, click on Photo Gallery, Barbaresco Wine Fest.)
