DOMAINE ROBERT CHEVILLON
Bertrand Chevillon: “I like the (2006) wines as they’re fresh, balanced and energetic and remind me somewhat of the 2000s in the sense that they will offer early drinkability though they’re definitely more classic in style.” –Burghound (Photo: Denis & Bertrand Chevillon)

2006 CHEVILLON Bourgogne Rouge $32 ($27.20 cs price)

2006 CHEVILLON Nuits St. George Vieilles Vignes $65 ($55.25 cs price) “An exceptionally pretty nose for a wine at this level with an earthy mix of red and black pinot fruit where the earth continues onto the round, delicious and relatively firm middle weight flavors underpinned by ripe tannins and fine length. This is a solid villages. 89 pts.”–Burghound

2006 CHEVILLON Nuits St George “Les Roncieres” $85 ($72.25 case price) “A discreet background of wood spice highlights more deeply pitched aromas of red and blue berry fruits plus violet and game hints that slide into concentrated and admirably rich medium-bodied flavors that evidence obvious minerality on the wonderfully long and impressively deep finish. Highly Recommended. 92 pts.”–Burghound

2006 CHEVILLON Nuits St. George “Les Vaucrains” $105 ($89.25 cs price) “A brooding and much more reserved nose is densely fruited with notes of plum, blueberry, earth and a subtle sauvage hint that mouth coating and impressively concentrated flavors that positively explode on the gorgeously long finish. As it always is, this is a big and powerful wine yet with a bit more elegance than usual. Terrific and potentially the class of the range in 2006. 94 pts.” –Burghound

2006 CHEVILLON Nuits St George “Les St. Georges” $105 ($89.25 cs price) “Here the equally elegant fruit profile runs more to the red side of the spectrum though it is perhaps not quite as complex yet the rich, round and stylish flavors are actually more complex with a delicious, powerful and seriously long finish that packs a real punch. A wine that should mature well over the medium term. 93 pts.” –Burghound

2006 CHEVILLON Nuits St George “Les Cailles” $105 ($89.25 cs price) “As one would expect, this is much finer and more elegant with notably ripe dark berry and plum fruit that evidences a distinct trace of an earthy spiciness that is also picked up on the round, pure and detailed flavors that are nothing but velvet on the delicious, long and balanced finish. As it always is, this is brimming with buckets of old vine sap. A wine of finesse. 93 pts.” –Burghound

DOM. JEAN-MARC PILLOT
2005 Burgundy: fruit, grace & elegance

“2005 is clearly an excellent vintage with more body and power than 2004…” –Jean-Marc Pillot

2005 JEAN-MARC PILLOT St. Romain Blanc “La Perriere” $38 ($32.30 cs price) “This is fresher and cooler with bright green fruit notes that can also be found on the racy, sweet and detailed flavors underpinned by a trace of minerality and an agreeably dry finish.” –Burghound

2005 JEAN-MARC PILLOT Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc 1er “Les Vergers” $80 ($68) “This is a mild step up in elegance and finesse with finer and more detailed white and yellow orchard fruit aromas that complement perfectly the detailed, precise and subtly mineral flavors that possess an interesting contrast of succulence and intensity on the pure and driving finish. This is lovely stuff and I really like the balance here. 91 pts. Outstanding!” –Burghound

2005 JEAN-MARC PILLOT Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge 1er “Les Macherelles” $49 ($41.65) “A more elegant and refined nose blends notes of black and blue pinot fruit, pepper and violet aromas that introduce detailed and attractively precise flavors that exude a fine if discreet sense of underlying minerality on the suave, complex and satisfying finish. A lovely effort with enough structure to reward 5 to 7 years of cellar time. 89 pts.” –Burghound

VINTAGES announces our offering of 2006 BURGUNDY from such producers as RAMONET, GROFFIER, d’ANGERVILLE, CHEVILLON, BOCQUENET, MUGNERET, CHANDON DE BRIAILLES, DE VOGUE, PAUL PILLOT, JEAN-MARC PILLOT and more!

See the current listings and look for more under the BEST IN SHOW tab on the left. Call 978-369-2545 to reserve!

“HOT PINK WINES”
for the fight against Breast Cancer

MONTEVERTINE, Radda in Chianti
Pure, peerless Sangiovese
“Sometimes I fall in love with a producer from the moment I first taste his wine. But really, if you can sense a purity, a commitment, and of course deliciousness and complexity, why hold back? I had this experience with Montevertine, a Tuscan producer that year after year demonstrates a profound respect and understanding for the sangiovese grape. If you’ve never understood what sangiovese was all about, try one of these wines and I think you may fall in love yourself.” –Eric Asimov, NYTimes

“Readers looking for delicate, perfumed Sangiovese and Sangiovese-based wines need look no further than Montevertine. The estate is located in Radda, one of the cooler, fresher micro-climates in Tuscany. The wines have always required bottle age to develop, yet these are wines that showcase an aromatic side of Sangiovese that shares much in common with Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo, rather than the more overt fruit-driven wines that are made elsewhere.” — Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

Sergio Manetti of Montevertine is legendary, as is his rebellion against the Chianti consortium’s attempts to cater to market forces, putting the very identity of Chianti and Sangiovese at risk. Since Sergio’s passing, his son has carried on the torch of the Montevertine tradition; these spectacular, pure, peerless wines of Chianti will never bear that designation.

2004 MONTEVERTINE “Le Pergole Torte” Toscana IGT $110.00 Three Glasses winner; 94 pts.
Single-vineyard Sangiovese. “The 2004 Le Pergole Torte (100% Sangioveto) is a special wine. Beautiful dark cherry, spice, mineral and menthol nuances emerge from its layered, beautiful frame. It shows outstanding depth buttressed by finessed, silky tannins in a classic, medium-bodied style. Today the wine remains very primary. The full breadth of its expression will come only with extended cellaring. Readers seeking instant gratification or who want to be blown away by sheer concentration will likely find more pleasure in other wines from this great vintage. Those who are willing to invest the time to appreciate this wine’s elegance, finesse and textural beauty will be amply rewarded with a superb bottle of wine. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. 94 pts.

SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA, Greve, Chianti Classico
Reviving the tradition of “la verita”
Ludovica Fabbri, owner and winemaker at SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA just visited our shop and we were delighted to taste through her youthful, yet elegant Chiantis. When Ludovica took over the family’s estate in Chianti, she experimented with different winemaking techniques, barriques, etc. Over several vintages, she had a better understanding of the quality and characteristics of her 7 ha of vineyards, and realized that “less is more.” By taking excellent care of the vines, she says, the wine will take care of itself. The result? A signature style of elegance and finesse, and “la verita” (the truth).

“I’m something of a purist. I like to hear the voice of the earth. It’s (Savignola Paolina) exquisitely perfumey, and the flavor impact is enormous. With its signature dustiness and dry cherry and berry flavors, this wine was designed to go with food. If Mozart made Chianti, it’d be Paolina.“ –Matt Kramer, Wine Spectator

2005 SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA Chianti Classico $17.99
Dark cherry fruit, barrel influenced aromas and flavors, graphite and toasty notes. “A medium-bodied red, with well-defined black currant bush, rosemary, lavender and mineral character. Finely textured, with a good layer of fruit and mineral and a well-balanced finish. Very silky. Drink now.”–WS

2004 SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA Chianti Classico Riserva $35 Tremendous richness of fruit, elegant with a perfect integration of oak. “Very concentrated, showing lots of ripe fruit on the nose and palate, with just a hint of vanilla. Full and chewy. There’s lots going on. Best after 2008. 300 cases made.” –WS

Debut of DOGLIANI DOCG! BRAVO!
Where Dolcetto is King

2006 is the premier vintage of a new DOCG in Piedmont: the Dogliani docg accords the Dolcetto from Dogliani with the distinction of being the highest expression of the dolcetto grape. The Dogliani docg, in the works for several years, is a great achievement for the extremely talented and committed vigneron/artisans who have dedicated themselves to their appellation, their vineyards, and their varietal, dolcetto.

Dogliani is devoted to Dolcetto
Other appellations in Piedmont, such as Barolo and Barbaresco, plant the faster-ripening dolcetto in lesser vineyards where the noble nebbiolo grape would not thrive. In Alba, Dolcetto is made as an easy-drinking quaffer for everyday. In Dogliani, dolcetto is not a sideshow, but the main event. Grown in the best vineyards, lavished with all the vintner’s attention and care, Dogliani dolcetto has ambition, heart, and age-worthiness. The wine Dogliani has a richer, more complex character with chewy tannins reminiscent of Sagrantino from Umbria, or cabernet sauvignon. Luscious berry fruit, silky, powdery tannins, and bitter almond finish are characteristic, as is a noble piemontese austerity in their youth.

Winemakers Anna Maria Abbona, Nicoletta Bocca, and Orlando Pecchenino have been at the forefront of the movement to create this distinction for Dogliani and to emerge from the shadow of more famous neighbors, such as Monforte d’Alba in Barolo. Theirs is the classic underdog story, and for me it has been a great pleasure to work with these producers to promote Dogliani Dolcetto and increase the appreciation of these wines. Not made simply to be appealing, but to achieve the highest expression of these grapes in this particular place. BRAVO DOGLIANI! BRAVO!

Featured 2006 Dogliani –ANNA MARIA ABBONA
Anna Maria and her husband gave up their careers to return to the family vineyards in 1989. It didn’t seem like a smart move, since the vineyards were far from prestigious or of easy viticulture. Dolcetto has always thrived in this area, and they have maximized its potential over the last two decades. Anna Maria works her eight hectares entirely by hand with a minimum of chemical intervention. This, along with tremendously low yields, produces wines with firmness and aromatic intensity that retain a supple feel in the mouth.

2006 ANNA MARIA ABBONA Maioli Dogliani DOCG $25
Made from 100% dolcetto. Deep garnet purple leading to a violet rim. Violets with black cherry fruit in the nose along with balsamic and mineral notes. Big, ripe berry fruit in the mouth with a pleasing tartness. Multi-dimensional texture, big youthful tannins, bitter almond finish. “A rather suave dolcetto with a nicely restrained sweetness.” –IWC