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.
Mar
28
2008
People often ask, “Is this a good vintage?” The thoughtful oenophile would answer, “Good for what?” Are you cellaring the wine for 10-20 years? Are you saving it for a future occasion? Are you drinking it tonight? Great wines from great vintages generally do not equate to immediate drinking enjoyment; they take time to mature. Great wines from “good” vintages can be enjoyed earlier, Continue Reading »
Mar
28
2008
NEW ARRIVALS: 2003 Brunello di Montalcino
Built on a ridge risiing more than 500 meters, the walled medieval village of Montalcino is encircled with six gates and 19 towers, most of which are still visible. The town’s signature wine, Brunello, is as monumental as its 14th c. fortress. 2003 was a warm vintage and the best producers made very appealing wines– more fruit forward, with a richer, more flamboyant style, balanced acidity and softer tannins. 
2003 CASTELLO ROMITORIO Brunello di Montalcino $58 Castello Romitorio, a massive 12th c. fortress, stands
proudly on a hilltop overlooking Montalcino. There renowned Italian artist Sandro Chia produces exquisite Tuscan wines with a unique passion and vision. After acquiring the estate in 1984, Sandro Chia spent several years restoring the medieval fortress and transforming its lands into vineyards. Sandro also enlisted the expertise of one of the world’s leading enologists, Carlo Ferrini, allowing Castello Romitorio to continue leading the way for premium Tuscan wines. Continue Reading »
Mar
28
2008
2003 CANALICCHIO di SOPRA Brunello di Montalcino $68 “This family-run estate makes an excellent Brunello from its 15 hectares of vineyards in the Canalicchio zone of Montalcino. From vintage to vintage the wine shows its characteristic notes of scorched earth and ripe dark fruit. With a few years of bottle age the wines begin to display attractive, heady white truffle overtones. Castello Romitorio favors cask-aging for its Brunello and the wines are made in a fairly traditional style.”–Wine Advocate
Mar
28
2008
2003 VALDICAVA Brunello di Montalcino $129 95 pts.
“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. Valdicava’s flagship Brunello is the wine of the vintage. Best after 2010. 95 pts.”–W.S.
Mar
28
2008
2003 BRUNELLO & 2006 ROSSO from POGGIO ANTICO
2003 POGGIO ANTICO Brunello di Montalcino $75
POGGIO ANTICO began its viticultural life in the 1970’s. Featuring sunny, south-facing vineyards on calcareous, rocky soil at one of the highest altitudes in Montalcino, the estate vineyards average 1,476 ft. Paola Montefiori, daughter of the founders, took over management of the estate in 1987. She says, “The 2003 Brunello has it all: intense nose, with amazing black currant and cherry aromas and hints of licorice, spices and leather. On the palate, it is rich, dense and powerful, yet emphasizes finesse and balance. The Brunello benefits from a little time in the glass, to show all its complexity and velvety tannins. It’s a great bottle to lay down for many years to come, yet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its wonderful balance and silky texture if you decide to enjoy it right away.”
2006 POGGIO ANTICO Rosso di Montalcino $38
The Rosso di Montalcino grapes and their quality are identical to those of the regular Brunello: the sole distinction is in élevage. In practice, the Rosso from Poggio Antico is made by bottling a small quantity of Brunello early. Lovely, deep ruby red; intense bouquet of ripe red fruit, plum, and black cherry. On the palate, shows roundness and richness, appealing, silky texture and concentration. Consistent, long finish.
Mar
28
2008
2000 SALVIONI di CERBAIOLA Brunello di Montalcino $140
“Three Glasses Award” -Gambero Rosso
“With the 2000 vintage, Giulio and Mirella Salvioni have returned to the top ranks of Montalcino producers. In a warm year like 2000, the higher elevation 
of their estate provided cooler temperatures, allowing them to make a quintessential Brunello. A lovely dense ruby color, if offers an unusually rich aromatic spectrum foregrounding ripe cherry fruit alongside notes of crisp apple and pear, nuanced by a delightful whiff of tobacco leaf. The palate is rich and dense, though never heavy. It progresses with a stately, elegant development to a stunningly rich, almost endless finale.” –Gambero Rosso
2005 SALVIONI di CERBAIOLA Rosso di Montalcino $60
The Salvioni family has been growing Sangiovese grapes for generations, starting in the early 1900s. The Rosso di Montalcino acquired DOC recognition in 1983. Rosso di Montalcino is made from the same varietal as Brunello, 100% Sangiovese. Both are grown and harvested in the same areas, however the Rosso is aged typically for one year instead of four years. The 2005 offers deep garnet color; intense aromas of pepper and spices with hints of vanilla. A full-bodied wine with dark cherry, plum and fruit flavors.
Mar
28
2008
2004 ALDO CONTERNO Barbera d’Alba “Conca Tre Pile” $50 (Piedmont)
This is a very classy 2004 Barbera we tasted this week — extremely impressive, serious sour cherry with earthy and chocolate undertones. Pretty tremendous, with deep flavor, structure and power. A wine that commands attention; very Piemontese in style. Continue Reading »
Mar
28
2008
2004 TOMMASO BUSSOLA Amarone della Valpolicella Classico $66
No one who was at last year’s Tommaso Bussola Amarone wine dinner in Boston’s Chinatown will ever forget the experience. If it wasn’t the unbelievable, knock-your-socks-off wines, it could have been the extravagant “Emperor’s Feast” served by the Peach Farm chefs; or, maybe it was the Kevin Spacey movie being filmed right outside! Of course, we mostly remember Tommaso and his incredible wines. Continue Reading »
Mar
13
2008
Join us for a tasting of the luscious white wines made from 100% Chenin Blanc by FRANCOIS CHIDAINE. This young winemaker is making a name for himself with his exquisite Vouvray and unctuous Montlouis. Perfect for Easter and springtime menus.
