BRUNELLO & TUSCANY:
2004 ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino
We are pleased to offer two 2004 Brunellos from Altesino - the “normale” bottling has just arrived in the stores. The 2004 “Montosoli” is expected in Sept. — pre-order only at this time.

2004 ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino $75 - 92 pts. in store now!  “Exotic, enticing nose throws off notes of apricot, grapefruit, mango and mint: not your everyday Brunello! Then sexy, fresh and penetrating, with strong acidity accentuated by firm minerality. Intriguing and idiosyncratic, in a distinctly northerly style for Brunello.” -IWC

“Absolutely beautiful, tremendous, silky, traditional Brunello. Aromas and flavors of violets, cherry and raspberry. Regal and elegant in every way. 2,500 cases produced.” — Eric Broege, Montalcino visit 4/09

2004 ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino “Montosoli” $120/$102 95 pts.
Pre-order now (6+ bottles) for September delivery. Call Eric Broege 978-369-2545.
“The estate’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli is a big, strapping wine loaded with dark fruit, smoke, new leather and minerals. The Montosoli, from one of Montalcino’s top sites, shows considerable density and richness. The tannins build on the finish, rounding out a gorgeous Brunello that achieves a brilliant combination of power and elegance. Drink: 2009-2022.”-WA

“Shows meat and blackberry on the nose, with hints of rose perfume. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, rich and flavorful finish. Love the cocoa, berry and light vanilla bean aftertaste. This is always classic in an outstanding year. Best from 2010 through 2015. 1,500 cases made. 95 pts.”–WS

2004 MONTEVERTINE IGT $45
Eric visited Martino Manetti at his historic Radda in Chianti estate in April, and it wasn’t hard to understand that old-vine sangiovese, grown at high elevation in stony soil, with the utmost care and attentiion to detail, vinified traditionally (4+ weeks maceration never temperature controlled) would result in such a sublime wine. In a great vintage, expect exceptional wines from top producers such as MONTEVERTINE in Chianti. (The “MONTEVERTINE” bottling is their excellent mid-range wine; their top wine is the legendary “LE PERGOLE TORTE.”)

WINE DOG DEAL: Red Burgundy from Chandon de Briailles $28!
2004 CHANDON de BRIAILLES Savigny les Beaunes Reg. $38; Now $28!
Ferdy the Wine Dog is drawn to the finer things in life as he gets on in years and sophistication. This week he has selected a beautiful burgundy from CHANDON de BRIAILLES.

Quantity discounts apply — stock up and save!

Summer Sippers: VINTAGES EXCLUSIVES
2008 OTTELLA “RosesRoses” $14.99

2008 ADAMI PROSECCO Giardino “Tranquillo” $17.99 –bubble-free Prosecco!
Top Prosecco estate ADAMI breaks new ground with a “still” version of their wine from their excellent Giardino vineyard. Surprised? Tasting is believing! Delicate aromas and flavors, fresh, with flavors of green apple. An ideal wine for lighter meals, fish and as an aperitif, it is also pleasant to sip between meals. An all-day summer wine!

2004 PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO $34 (Exclusive)

2004 PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO “La Torre” $34 VINTAGES Exclusive
Friend & Produttori wine director ALDO VACCA had a little extra 2004 Barbaresco in his cellar, and he generously agreed to send it directly to VINTAGES! It remains, as always, an outstanding value in traditional Barbaresco.
“Produttori del Barbaresco continues to be a terrific source for well-priced wines. The estate’s 2004 Barbaresco is very sweet and pretty, with spiced, floral aromas that are delicately woven into a fabric of ripe fruit. With air, herbal and balsamic overtones emerge, adding further complexity. The wine offers outstanding length, silky tannins and a fresh, inviting finish. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016. 90 pts.” — WA

CASTELVECCHIO WINES, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Harsh terroir gives rise to expressive wines
VINTAGES EXCLUSIVES
New releases –and VINTAGES Exclusives-- from Italy’s northeast region of Gorizia near the Slovenian border. Enjoyed for their very expressive and distinctive style with a spicy, mineral note from the “karst” soil and harsh climate of this Carso appellation.  Definitely a cut above– all exclusive to VINTAGES

NEW! 2006 CASTELVECCHIO Cabernet $30
The Terraneo family from Castelvecchio considers their Cabernet to be their most important wine contribution. Rich, smooth and elegant, with mineral underpinning. Refreshing maritime influence, dry climate allows natural viticulture. Enjoy with summer’s grilled meats and spicy flavors.

New arrivals: PRIORAT, Spain

One of the few full-bodied reds that offer compelling enjoyment with profound complexity and finesse is PRIORAT, the garnacha-based wines of Catalan SW of Barcelona. Distinctive brown slate soil known as “llicorella,” old-vine grapes that thrive in the harsh, arid climate, and winemaking pioneers that brought together the best of these characteristics have created wines of world-class character in a very short time.

CELLER de l’ENCASTELL is a small family-run vineyard and winery in the town of Porrera, Priorat, where “Roquers de Porrera” and “Marge” are vinified. Carme Figuerola and Raimon Castellví built the winery and got started in 1999, moved by their passion for wine and the exceptional quality of the soils where their vineyard grows - locally called “llicorella.” The wines “Marge” and “Roquers de Porrera” are perennial favorites of VINTAGES’ customers.

2007 Celler de l’Encastell “Marge” Priorat $28
“The 2007 Marge is the entry level wine from Raimon Castellvi, owner and winemaker of Roquers de Porrera. “Marge” is the local name for the stone walls made of slate taken from the Priorat vineyards. It is a blend of 60% Garnacha, 14% Syrah, 13% Merlot, and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for eight months in French and American oak. The wine is a glass-coating opaque purple with legs that ooze down the glass. The brooding nose reveals crushed stone, spice box, violets, tar, black cherry, and blueberry. This is followed by a dense, rich, structured Priorat with 1-2 years of aging potential. Drink it through 2017. 90 pts.” -Wine Advocate

2005 Celler l’Encastell “Roquers de Porrera” $65
Deep red. Spicy blueberry and kirsch aromas are brightened by white pepper and minerals. Juicy dark fruit flavors, with firm tannins adding grip. Sweet vanillin oak spice builds on the long, sappy finish, which features a lingering raspberry note. 90 pts.”-IWC

2006 ALVARO PALACIOS “Les Terrasses” Priorat $38
“The 2006 Les Terrasses is a blend of 60% Carinena, 30% Garnacha, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It was aged for 12 mos. in 20% new French oak. Purple-colored, it exhibits a fragrant bouquet of cedar, mineral, spice box, incense, black cherry, and blackberry. This is followed by a full-bodied, dense, rich wine with excellent harmony, potential complexity, and a fruit-filled finish. It has enough structure to evolve for several years and will deliver prime drinking from 2012 to 2021. 91 pts.”  –Wine Advocate

2006 CLOS MOGADOR $90 95 pts.
“The opaque purple-colored 2006 Clos Mogador has an enticing nose of pain grille, pencil lead, truffle, incense, black cherry, and blackberry. Full-bodied, dense, and layered on the palate, it has loads of succulent black fruit, spice box, ripe tannin, impeccable balance, and a lengthy, pure finish. Give it 5-7 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2015 to 2026. 95 pts.”

CLOS ERASMUS
Daphne Glorian, owner/winemaker of Clos Erasmus, is one of the pioneers of the PRIORAT appellation. Clos Erasmus was begun with the purchase of some old vineyards of Garnacha by Daphne Glorian, who happened to be in the area visiting some friends. What started as a “fun” project in 1990 soon became a very serious endeavor as the Priorat and Clos Erasmus rapidly ascended to world-class wine status.

2006 Clos Erasmus 97 pts. $200
“As usual Clos Erasmus is one of Spain’s finest wines. The 2006 Clos Erasmus offers an ethereal bouquet of balsam and sandalwood, incense, liquid mineral, black cherry, and black raspberry. Dense, rich, and voluptuous on the palate, it has plenty of well-concealed ripe tannin, tons of fruit, and potential complexity. Give it 5-7 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2015 to 2025. 97 pts.” -Wine Advocate

2006 Clos Erasmus “Laurel” $50 (arriving next week) “The 2006 Laurel sports aromas of slate/mineral, black licorice, incense, black cherry, and blackberry liqueur. Ripe, sweet, and structured on the palate, this lengthy, succulent effort has enough tannin to support another 4-6 years of cellaring and will have a drinking window extending from 2014 to 2026. Laurel, one of Priorat’s greatest values dollar for dollar, is sourced from the younger vines of the estate and from declassified barrels of Clos Erasmus itself. 93 pts.”

WINE TASTING: Marvelous Minervois!
Rustic elegance from southern France
Sat. July 18, Belmont 2-5pm
white
2008 DOMAINE MASSIAC V.D.P. Viognier $14.99 (Minervois, southern France)
Dom. Massiac is owned by Bernard & France Boudovresques in the heart of Minervois.  Their exceptional Viognier has none of the heaviness or overly ripe fruit that characterizes many southern whites. The Massiac Viognier offers beautiful balance, refreshing acidity, and minerality in a lush package. Refined and elegant white for an unbeatable price!

1995 CAMPAGNE de CENTEILLES Minervois $25
90% Cinsault. Can Minervois age? Winemaker Patricia Boyer-Domergue has long insisted that it can, and very well, thank you. This 1995 Minervois was imported for us directly from the estate’s cellar.  This Campagne de Centeilles bottling is made primarily from Cinsault and the balance is Syrah.  The color of the wine at this point is similar to the color of a traditional Barolo –lighter garnet fading into brick. In the nose, the wine offers fine and complex aromas of baked cherries and plums, soy, bittersweet cocoa, beef consomme, mint, and green tea, seamless and fine in its aromatic complexity. On the palate, the wine is sublime; its silky texture washes over the palate with ethereal flavors of roasted cherry, grilled pit fruit, and amazingly powdery, bitter cocoa tannins.

WINE TASTING: LA TOSA!
The best wines you’ve never heard of!
Fri. July 10, West Concord - 5-7:30
Sat. July 11, Belmont 2-6pm

LA TOSA, Colli Piacentini, northern Italy: wines made with great care to evoke precise aromas and astounding purity of fruit. Totally delicious!
The “La Tosa” estate was founded in 1980 by Stefano Pizzamiglio on 16 hectares of land near Piacenza in the appellation of Colli Piacentini. Trained as a physicist, Stefano doesn’t leave anything to chance - he works rigorously in the vineyard and cellar, alongside his wife Augusta, to achieve the purity and precision that are the hallmarks of his wines.

2005 LA TOSA “Luna Selvatica” Cabernet Sauvignon $40 VINTAGES Exclusive
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. ‘Luna Selvatica” is bright ruby red in color with violet hues. Floral aromas of black raspberry, dark chocolate, leather and minerals. Suave and perfumed in the mouth with penetrating currant flavors. Rich, complex, fresh and well-balanced with a long finish. Beautiful!