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!

WINES FOR THE ‘BIRD With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we look forward to the familiar food and family — a great opportunity to mix it up with a different wine! A successful thanksgiving wine–white or red — is versatile, light on its feet and refreshing. Big, heavy wines will take you down faster than tryptophan! Here are some of our picks for the best of the season: whites 2007 LA TOSA “Valnure” frizzante sparkling (N. Italy) $14.99 This popular dry, yet fruity lightly sparkling wine adds a welcome lift to the festivities. A perfect aperitif! 2007 CANTELE Chardonnay (PUGLIA) $10.99 unoaked chardonnay, green apple freshness, nice body  2007 ANDRE BLANCK Riesling $12.99 (WINE DOG) Fresh, clean, dry yet easy-drinking white 2007 LE SALETTE Chardonnay (Veneto) $15.99 burgundian-style chardonnay from Verona, stylish 2007 KREMSER WEINZIERL Gruner Veltliner (Austria) $10.99 (1 L) fresh apple and hint of white pepper on finish 2007 PONCHIONE Arneis (Piedmont) $17.99 hint of green melon with elegant minerality and lively finish! superbly refreshing! 2007 CASTELLVECCHIO Malvasia $19.99 2007 CASTELLVECCHIO “Traminer Aromatico” $19.99 Two delectable wines that pair beautifully with the meal from start to finish. So much character and class — you can drink them all day. 2002 I CLIVI Bianco “Galea” (Friuli) $22 lush, Tocai and verdicchio fruit with pear and apricot notes, natural/traditionally-made

TURKEY-FRIENDLY REDS, Part I

reds
2006 JEAN-MARC BURGAUD Beaujolais-Villages $11.99
lighter ruby color, ripe plum and strawberry; mineral backbone and long finish!

2006 MARTILDE Barbera (Oltrepo Pavese) $11.99
earthy aromas, smooth and juicy red with a hint of cranberry; versatile and refreshing

2007 GRIESBAUERHOF Sudtirol Santa Magdelener (N. Italy) $14.99 savory aromas, soft plum fruit pairs well at table or fireside

2006 SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA Chianti Classico $17.99
perfect balance of deep cherry fruit and refreshing, silky finish

2007 Institut de Agricola Pinot Noir (N. Italy) $19.99
the ultimate in quaffable, affable reds with plum fruit and a mineral lift; medium to lighter body, refreshing!

2006 BURLOTTO Pelaverga $22 (Piedmont)
Deep ruby color, lovely aromas, raspberry fruit, and a hint of pepper on the finish. Unusually delicious!

2006 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi Rosso $25 (Campania) Plum fruit with a softer finish; very enjoyable and versatile

More and more reds — pinot noir, rhone valley, loire, amarone, tuscany — too many to mention here!

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU– EST ARRIVE!

Yes, it’s that time again! Believe it or not, VINTAGES has a Beaujolais Nouveau tradition; we carry just one. It’s an organic, small-production Beaujolais-Villages made without added sugar — naturally delicious, and perfect for the ‘bird.

2008 CHATEAU de CHATELARD Beaujolais-Villages “Vieilles Vignes” Nouveau $15.99 Yep, it’s a mouthful, a juxtaposition of old and new, but that’s what these holidays are all about! Just ask for the “nouveau.”

TURKEY-FRIENDLY WINES will be featured at VINTAGES in Belmont on Friday 4:30-7:30 and Saturday 1-6pm. A surprise selection of refreshing, versatile, light-on-their-feet wines to keep you hmmmming and happy throughout the day!

BURGUNDY FESTIVAL!

WINE TASTING: BURGUNDY WINE FEST, FRI. & SAT. NOV. 14 & 15

TWO DAYS, TWO STORES, TWO LINE-UPS, Too Fabulous

FRI & SAT NOV. 14-15 VINTAGES BELMONT & CONCORD

The eternal allure of Burgundy; the original–and still the ultimate– expression of both chardonnay and pinot noir! Our selection represents not only renowned appellations, but the meticulous work done by these conscientious producers who reliably create the best wines of each vintage. Recent vintages — 2004, 2005 & the balanced 2006 — have created some very compelling wines. What’s so great about Burgundy? Tasting is believing! Please join us! The wines for Belmont are below; West Concord follows.
BURGUNDY FEST in BELMONT
Fri. Nov. 14, 4:30-7:30 & Sat. Nov. 15 1-6pm (or until wine runs out)
15% discount on any 12 bottles from the tasting!

white
2006 DOM. J.A. FERRET Pouilly-Fuisse “Les Sceles” $27 ($22.95) The last vintage of this highly-regarded estate; balanced, expressive, and delicious! Aromas of blossoms and ripe orchard fruit with hints of wood lead to rich, full and round flavors with a generous and sappy finish. Ready for celebrating!

2006 JEAN-MARC PILLOT Saint-Romain Blanc $38 ($32.30) “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

2006 GUFFENS-HEYNEN Macon-Pierreclos “En Crazy” $35 ($29.75) “Wild, intensely floral bouquet of lime, tangerine, licorice and magnolia. Tangy citrus flavors gain depth and power with air, picking up bitter pear skin and green cardamom on the close. Offers wonderful clarity and finishing lift.” -IWC

red
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.” –Burghound

2005 CHANDON de BRIAILLES Pernand Vergellesses Rouge $45 ($38.25) “A brooding nose of dark berry fruits. Medium-bodied; flavors are sweet, elegant, pure, transparent and delicious while possessing terrific definition and brimming with an intense minerality on the beautifully long finish.”

2004 FRANCOIS GAUNOUX Pommard “Tavannes” $52 ($44.20) Run by father and daughter team Francois and Claudine Gaunoux, they combine modern techniques with traditional methods to produce top quality wine, starting, of course, with exceptional vineyard work.

BURGUNDY FEST IN WEST CONCORD

Fri. Nov. 14, 4:30-7:30 & Sat. Nov. 15 1-6pm (or until wine runs out)
(Bottle price followed by price for case purchase)

whites
2006 d’ANGERVILLE Meursault “Santenots” $75 ($63.75) “A very subtle hint of pain grillé frames an expressive nose of floral aromas, in particular acacia and here too there are discreet notes of straw that are picked up by the rich, full and precise flavor that possess fine balance on the sappy and mouth coating finish. I particularly like the underlying tension that imparts a sense of vibrancy. Lovely! Outstanding!” –Burghound

2006 GUFFENS-HEYNEN Pouilly-Fuisse “Sauve des Eaux” $65 ($55.25) “Smoky lees, pear and anise on the nose, with an undertone of wet stone. Sharply focused quince and lime flavors are given depth and roundness by sweet butter and finish with firm citric bite. The anise quality reappears and lingers seductively.” IWC

2006 VERGET Chablis “Les Clos” Grand Cru $95 ($80.75)
One of the most famous grand cru appellations. “A fascinating nose of stone dust and white flower aromas combine with superbly well detailed and intensely mineral suffused flavors that are dry, penetrating and wonderfully long on the explosive and palate staining finish. The clear class of this group.” –Burghound

reds
2004 HARMAND GEOFFREY Gevrey-Chambertin V.V. $52 ($44.20) The Harmand-Geoffroy estate, in the family since the late 1800’s, now totals 9 hectares of vineyards in 10 separate appellations. The vineyard for the “V.V.” rouge is 50-60 years old. Gérard Harmand, and his son Philippe, run the domaine As Gérard explained, this father-son team are focused on making wines with more elegance and finesse, using the most natural practices to express their particular terroir.

2005 BOCQUENET Nuits-St-George “Aux St. Julien” $60 ($51) “A beautifully perfumed nose that is classic Nuits with earth and red berry fruit aromas that merge into precise, pure and admirably intense medium full flavors …this is more refined than usual while keeping all of its typical power and punch.” - Burghound

2006 BOCQUENET Echezeaux Grand Cru $138 ($117.30) Dan Bocquenet is a rising young talent in Burgundy. “This is also beautifully perfumed and much more complex with spicy and beautifully layered black fruit aromas. This sense of nuance and depth continues onto the rich, sweet and firm medium plus weight flavors underpinned by a solid core of ripe tannins and excellent length.” –Burghound

GIACOMO CONTERNO BAROLO
NEW RELEASES, vaunted vintages from a legendary estate

2001 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo “Monfortino” 99 pts. $400 -SOLD OUT!!
2004 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo “Cascina Francia” 97 pts. $138 -SOLD OUT!
2006 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barbera d’Alba 93 pts. $45

Quantities limited; call 978-369-2545 to order.

“Today Roberto Conterno makes wines that can hold their own with the very finest wines made anywhere in the world, and in that context these Barolos remain fairly priced. This is an estate that has achieved its success the hard way, by earning it - not just over the years, but over the decades.” –Wine Advocate

Through our close relationship with Roberto and the GIACOMO CONTERNO estate, VINTAGES is able to offer these outstanding wines to our customers at extremely favorable prices to enhance their already strong value. Continue Reading »

WINE TASTING: BAROLO & BARBARESCO featuring CANTINA del PINO and FERDINANDO PRINCIPIANO
Fri. Nov. 7 Belmont 4:30-7:30pm
Sat. Nov. 8 Concord 1-5pm

VINTAGES is very excited to present these new releases from two up-and-coming “leading lights” of the Piedmont wine scene — winemakers and friends RENATO VACCA and FERDINANDO PRINCIPIANO. VINTAGES has supported the wines of these two young producers for the past several years; it’s great to see them beginning to take the stage and receive the acclaim their wines deserve. Join us in Belmont or Concord for a tasting of these newly-arrived Barolos and Barbarescos.

CANTINA del PINO, Ovello district in Barbaresco
“Proprietor Renato Vacca has emerged as one of the leading lights of Barbaresco within just the last few years.”
“Cantina del Pino is a great source for top-notch wines from Barbaresco. Readers who are new to Barbaresco and want to experience the essence of what these wines are all about without spending a fortune should start here.”–Wine Advocate

RENATO VACCA and his father belonged to the Produttori del Barbaresco (his father was a founding member) until Renato decided to strike out on his own in 1997. Located in the prime Ovello district, Vacca’s vineyards are on a hillside overlooking the landmark tower in the village of Barbaresco. Low-key, yet intensely driven, Renato deftly combined traditional and modern techniques to create his captivating, elegant, yet age-worthy barbarescos and lush barberas. We can’t say enough about Renato and his fabulous wines – Bravo, Renato!

PRINICIPIANO, Serralunga district, Barolo
When we met FERDINANDO at his Barolo estate a few years ago, he was just beginning the major project of reworking his vineyards towards the goal of higher quality fruit. With some nice parcels in Serralunga and Monforte d’Alba, success won’t be long in coming. “Ferdinando Principiano has made some radical changes in his approach, the most important of which are in the vineyards, where he is now pursuing much lower yields. Nature’s cycles are of course slow, and it often takes vines a few years to adapt to such changes. It will be interesting to follow developments here over the next few years.” –Wine Advocate Way to go, Ferdi!

WINES for the tasting: 2 Barbarescos, 2 Barolos, 2 Barberas and more!

2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco $49
“The 2005 Barbaresco is a gorgeous, captivating Barbaresco that reveals superb depth in its sweet red cherries, menthol, pine, spices and minerals. The wine is vibrant and poised, with firm tannins that give it a somewhat austere personality. With some time in the glass its perfumed core of sweet fruit emerges, and a few years in bottle should help it come together even more. This is a very pretty Barbaresco from Cantina del Pino. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2023. 92 pts.”–Wine Advocate

2004 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco “Ovello” $65
“I have been looking forward to tasting the estate’s 2004 Barbaresco Ovello for some time. It is an exceptional wine that expresses the pedigree of the vintage in its sweet, expansive personality. Ripe dark fruit, toasted oak and balsamic nuances are all woven together in a powerful, structured style. Ovello is one of the cooler micro-climates in Barbaresco and this wine remains quite powerful and tannic today. It should develop beautifully over the following years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. 94 pts.” –Wine Advocate

2006 CANTINA del PINO Barbera d’Alba $32
From 50+ year old vines in the heart of the Ovello district. A beautiful example of Barbera– always a VINTAGES’ favorite!

2007 PRINCIPIANO Nebbiolo Langhe Coste $23
Notes from Eric’s visit in May 2008: 2007 was a tremendous vintage! The ‘07 Nebbiolo offers very fresh and delicate fruit. Roses and toasted pine nuts on the nose.

2006 PRINCIPIANO Barbera “La Romualda” $42
Eric’s notes from May 2008: “Deep and powerful; intense. Tremendous wine, deep dark cherries.”

2006 PRINCIPIANO Barolo “Serralunga” $39
“Principiano’s 2004 Barolo Serralunga is surprisingly soft and ethereal for a wine from this village in 2004. Medium in body, it reveals macerated cherries, smoke, earthiness and licorice, with excellent length on the palate and an approachable, finessed personality. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016.” –Wine Advocate

2004 PRINCIPIANO Barolo “Boscareto” $98
“The 2004 Barolo Boscareto is a more vibrant and larger-scaled wine than the Serralunga. It presents lovely harmony in an expression of dark cherries, plums, spices, toasted oak and menthol, showing terrific overall balance and well-integrated tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2019. 90 pts.”–Wine Advocate

CHATEAUNEUF du PAPE and Rhone Valley Wine Tasting
Traditional wines– the heart & soul of the Rhone

Sat. Nov. 1, 2-5p West Concord & Belmont stores
Belmont: featuring a selection of Clos du Mont Olivet
Concord: Mont Olivet, Monpertuis, and Vieux Donjon

2006 VIEUX DONJON Chateauneuf-du-Pape $69
Established in 1966, the 14 ha estate is run by Marie & Lucien Michel. Their rouge is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault. “Powerful, seriously-endowed effort for the vintage, displaying more structure and muscle than most wines in this forward, fruit-friendly year. Classic Provencal characteristics of garrigue, licorice, lavender, pepper, and kirsch soar from the glass… In the mouth, it is masculine, tannic, medium to full-bodied, and powerfully built. Potentially one of the longest lived wines of the vintage, it will require 4-5 years of bottle age, and should evolve for two decades. 92+ pts.“–WA

2006 DOM. MONPERTUIS Chateauneuf-du-Pape $45
Seven generations have farmed lands in the Rhone valley, with 17 ha in Chateauneuf. Blend of 70% Grenache and from Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and other varieties. “Ruby-red. Spicy raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by fresh lavender and rose, with a suave mineral quality building in the glass. Vibrant red fruit flavors are concentrated and impressively brisk, picking up silky tannins on the close. The finish is strikingly fresh and long, repeating the vivid red fruit character. 93 pts.”–IWC

CLOS du MONT OLIVET Chateauneuf du Pape
Tradition combined with vision is the foundation of Thierry Sabon’s winemaking philosophy-under his guidance the family’s cuvées have reached new heights, with lower yields, more dynamic blending and earlier bottling.
“From one of the archconservative bastions of traditionalism in Chateauneuf du Pape, these are classic old-style Chateauneuf du Papes bursting at the seams with sweet cherry notes, roasted Provencal herbs, licorice, and resiny, loamy, earthy scents. These wines age surprisingly well; certainly the 1990 Cuvee du Papet in my cellar is one of the most monumental Chateauneuf du Papes ever made. 2006 looks to be a very good vintage for the Sabon brothers.” — Wine Advocate

2006 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Chateauneuf-du-Pape “Cuvee Papet” $68 “Ruby-red. Intensely perfumed, floral-dominated bouquet of red and dark berries, kirsch, rose and incense; if the ‘05 smells like Chambolle, this one is more Vosne-Romanee. Velvety flavors of raspberry and blackberry betray no rough edges, and offer a deep, sweet personality. Leaves a wake of floral pastille and dark berry liqueur on the extremely long finish. 95 pts.“–IWC

2007 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc $39 The 2007 Blanc has just arrived with great expectations, following the much-acclaimed 2006 Blanc from this estate. Beautiful, compelling blend of all six allowed white Rhone varietals.
“Perhaps the most remarkable progress has been with the dry white wines. Each year the wines exhibit much more aromatic intensity, and far more personality and character. Moreover, they have gotten so good that I have actually been buying many of them because of their exceptional flexibility with food.”–Wine Advocate

2006 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Chateauneuf-du-Pape $35 “Explosive, spicy raspberry and dark cherry liqueur aromas and flavors show striking purity. From a five-year-old Allier barrique: Darker fruits, with solid grip. From a three-year-old Vosges barrel: Red berries, cinnamon and vibrant cherry flavors. The final blend should be superb. 93 pts.” -IWC

2006 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Cotes du Rhone “Serre de Catins” $19.99 This unique, single-vineyard 100% Grenache cuvée hails from a warmer slope just past the border of Châteauneuf. Always a knock-out, “Serre de Catin” in 2006 starts out quietly but comes on strong with powerful, punchy red fruit. Dried garrigue, warm earth, wildflowers and cranberries in the nose, followed by a mouth full of pepper and baking spices. Could be a “Wine Dog” deal simply because the 2006 price is still the same: $19.99!

BROVIA BAROLO DINNER
Thursday, Nov. 6 at MONICA’s Restaurant, Boston
featuring ALEX SANCHEZ, Fratelli Brovia
Five-course meal, seven superb wines!
Cost: $200/person, all-inclusive
Place: MONICA’s Restaurant, North End
143 Richmond Street, Boston
What: Great food and great Barolo from 2004 & 2000!

The FRATELLI BROVIA estate was established in 1863 in the Castiglione Falletto region of Barolo. The family’s 19 h. estate includes top Barolo vineyards such as Rocche and Villero in Castiglione Falletto; Ca’Mia and Brea in Serralunga d’Alba. Sisters Elena and Cristina Brovia are the fourth generation to carry on the family winemaking traditions of this distinguished estate. Elena’s husband Alex Sanchez, originally from Spain, joined the winery operations and will be here to present the Barolos during the dinner Nov. 6. Please join us for a great opportunity to taste these top Barolos from two great vintages!

TO RESERVE: Call VINTAGES 978-369-2545 or 617-484-4560 or email info@vintagesonline.com. Credit card requested to hold the reservation. Continue Reading »