WINE TASTING: New Arrivals from Spain & Italy
Sat. Oct. 17, 2-5pm Concord
featuring new Amarone from TOMMASO BUSSOLA

2003 TOMMASO BUSSOLA Amarone Classico $65
TOMMASO BUSSOLA is an exuberant, passionate man and his wines are characteristically robust and expressive. While the 2004 vintage of this Amarone Classico was released two years ago, only now did Tommaso decide that the 2003 version was ready for release. Eric’s tasting note from his visit to Italy: “A great Amarone! Roasted candied-cherry, infinitely complex and drinkable, approaching the quality of Tommaso’s Riserva. Tommaso believes this is the best Amarone Classico he has ever made.“

2006 DESCENDIENTES de JOSE PALACIOS “Corullon” 93 pts. $45 (Bierzo)
100% Mencia old-vine Mencia. “The purple-colored 2006 Villa de Corullon offers up a super-fragrant bouquet of lavender, incense, black cherry, and black raspberry. Elegant and multi-dimensional on the palate, it has gobs of ripe fruit, succulent flavors, and impeccable balance. It has several years of aging potential and should offer prime drinking from 2012 to 2021.93 pts.”–WA

2008 EGIA ENEA Txakoli de Bizkaia $19.99 (Txakolina) – white
Located in the northern Basque country, Egia Enea is run by owner/winemaker Alfredo Egia. Their Txakolina is made from the grape “Hondarrabi Zuri Zerratia.” “The 2008 Egia Enea Txakolina is sourced from a single vineyard within the sub-zone of Biskaia. It reveals an expressive nose of mineral, lime, melon, and petrol. Smooth textured, bracing, and racy on the palate… 90 pts.“

2007 PENAS DAS DONAS Godello “Almalarga” $19.99 (Ribeira Sacra) – white
This first vintage of the 2007 Almalarga Godello is named for the vineyard (70- to 100-year-old vines). “Aged on its lees for four months, it offers a superb aromatic array of mineral, crushed stone, lemon-lime, white peach, and melon. This is followed by a dry, elegant, ripe, concentrated wine with outstanding balance and length. Drink it over the next four years. 90 pts.” –WA

2008 PENAS DAS DONAS Mencia “Verdes Matas” $19.99 (Ribeira Sacra) –
“Bright ruby. Spicy red and dark berry aromas are complicated by cherry skin, licorice, dried violet and cracked pepper. Racy and sharply focused on entry, offering tangy redcurrant and bitter cherry flavors, then opens up to show deeper, sweeter dark berries. For a tangy wine this is surprisingly lush, almost creamy, with gentle tannins and good lingering sweetness. I really like this wine’s blend of vivacity and roundness. 90 pts.” –IWA
 

WINE TASTING: Sat. Oct. 17, 3-6pm Belmont
Chateauneuf du Pape & Alto Adige

An odd couple indeed — Rhone & Alto Adige. Yet, both of these regions strongly rely on aromatics to set the stage for what’s to come. From the pristine Alps to the rugged mountains surrounding the Rhone valley, these whites and reds deliver!

ABBAZIA di NOVACELLA (Photo: Celestino Lucin, 2009 Winemaker of the Year from Gambero Rosso)
“Abbazia di Novacella in Alto Adige is located in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful corners of Italy. In particular, the wines made from indigenous varieties are well worth seeking out. These wines beautifully express the unique qualities of their respective varieties and the unique Valle Isarco terroir.”–WA

2007 ABBAZIA dI NOVACELLA Pinot Grigio $22
“The 2007 Pinot Grigio is a delicate, perfumed white with well-articulated fruit and pretty aromatics.”–WA

2007 ABBAZIA dI NOVACELLA Sylvaner $22  Reveals lovely detail and nuance in a layered expression of fruit. Admirable length and complexity.

2007 ABBAZIA dI NOVACELLA Kerner $25  “It beautifully marries the detail that many of these wines have with a ripe, generous expression of fruit. Citrus peel, melon, spices and mint are just some of the notes that can be found in this beautiful, absolutely delicious white.” –WA

REDS- CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
2006 DOM. MONPERTUIS Chateauneuf du Pape $45
“Fresh red berries on the nose, with complicating notes of rose, lavender and smoky minerals. Gains power on the broad, penetrating finish while maintaining freshness and clarity.”–IWA

2006 LE VIEUX DONJON Chateauneuf du Pape $69
“Intensely perfumed aromas of Asian spices, garrigue, red berries, smoke and minerals. This elegant wine calls to mind pinot noir in its weight and texture. Sweet, palate-staining raspberry and cherry flavors are enlivened by juicy acidity. Very pure and seductive wine with no gamey qualities and a long, sweet finish.”–IWA

2005 CLOS du MONT OLIVET “La Cuvee du Papet” $68
“(95% grenache and 5% mourvedre) Inky ruby. Stunningly fragrant bouquet of fresh red berries, cherry, minerals, Asian spices and fresh flowers; with its combination of power and purity, this smells like a Musigny. Deeply concentrated raspberry and cherry flavors are complicated by anise, cinnamon and floral pastille, with big but interwoven tannins adding grip. Finishes with outstanding silky persistence and a strong red berry character. 94 pts.” -IWA