VINTAGES Online Store is a more convenient way to purchase VINTAGES Gift Cards for family & friends. Just click on the VINTAGES Store tab!

NEW RELEASE: CONTERNO BAROLO

2005 GIACOMO CONTERNO BAROLO “Cascina Francia” 95+ pts. $138

The annual release of the legendary MONFORTINO is always a vinous highlight – however, Roberto Conterno told us during our May 2009 visit to his cellar that the 2002 edition of MONFORTINO would not be ready this year. So instead, we celebrate the newly-arrived 2005 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo Cascina Francia, a truly exceptional wine.

CELLAR SELECTION:
2005 GIACOMO CONTERNO BAROLO “Cascina Francia” 95+ pts · $138
“The question of succession is always an issue in small, family-run wineries, but this is one example where the younger generation is building on past success by taking things to an entirely new level. I can only imagine how proud Giovanni Conterno would be if he could see (and taste!) the sublime wines that have emerged from this property in recent years.”

“The recently-bottled 2005 Barolo Cascina Francia is, as expected, somewhat closed down at this stage from an aromatic perspective. That said, it is impossible to ignore the wine’s richness and depth, both of which are impressive. With time in the glass hints of sweet roses, cherries, spices and tar emerge, all framed by impeccably silky tannins. … It is another superb Barolo from Giacomo Conterno. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030. 95+ pts.”–Galloni, WA

BAROLO, READY TO DRINK!
While we’re on the subject of outstanding wine, may we tempt you with another Giacomo Conterno Barolo, recently evaluated and READY TO DRINK? This 2003 Barolo Cascina Francia is stunning; rich, yet beautifully balanced, with complex aromas and flavors emerging over the course of an evening. Decanting recommended; and take your time with this wine– as difficult as it may be–otherwise you’ll miss the amazing display of tertiary aromas and flavors!

2003 GIACOMO CONTERNO BAROLO “Cascina Francia” 94 pts. Special $88
“The 2003 Barolo Cascina Francia is a remarkable wine for the vintage. This deep, powerful Barolo reveals awesome richness and an almost liqueur-like quality to its fruit that is balanced by the chalky mineral notes that provide freshness on the finish and help convey an impression of notable balance. In 2003 there is no Monfortino, and the Cascina Francia surely benefits from the addition of that juice which is mostly felt in the wine’s depth…Simply put, this is a stunning Barolo made all the more notable by the challenging conditions the vintage presented. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2023. 94 pts.” –WA

CANTINA del PINO: Barbaresco to cellar and savor from Renato Vacca

CELLAR: Sublime!

2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco “Albesani” $65 95 pts.  “Tre Bicchieri” – Gambero Rosso
“The sublime, gorgeous 2005 Barbaresco Albesani is laced with the essence of dark cherries, flowers, spices, minerals on a rich, textured frame. With time in the glass, the wine’s inner perfume emerges more fully in a dazzling, totally polished style. Cantina del Pino’s Barbaresco Albesani is a new bottling from a parcel that also contains Santo Stefano, one of the most storied vineyards in the world. The microclimate here is quite warm, which contributes to the wine’s richness and body. Readers will not want to miss this superb effort, which is easily one of the finest 2005 Barbarescos. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 95 pts.”-WA

SAVOR: Outstanding Value $32 (35% off)
2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco Special $40 (Reg. $49) Case price: $32/btl! (35% off!)
“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

WINE DOG Loves to Party!
Spice up your holidays with party selections from VINTAGES! This week, Ferdy the Wine Dog has sniffed out two new favorites from FIORINI, red and white:

2008 FIORINI Sirio Sangiovese $12.99  Juicy, vibrant cherry and red berry fruit, soft tannins.

2008 FIORINI Sant Ilario Bianchello $12.99
Delicate aromas, ripe pear and citrus flavors with refreshing minerality.

By the case, $11.04/bottle!

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS!
for the adventurous oenophile on your list!

1997 GIUSEPPE CORTESE Barbaresco “Rabaja” Special $55 net (was $75)
The highly-touted 1997 vintage created some very sumptuous Barbaresco! We are thrilled to offer this perfectly-cellared, ready-to-drink Barbaresco from this small, traditional family estate that has always taken great care with their wines. “The 1997 Rabaja is the finest Cortese Barbaresco I have tasted in over a decade. Aged completely in old foudres, it is a traditionally made Piedmontese exhibiting notes of root vegetables, raspberry and cherry jam, cedar and balsam wood, smoke, and minerals. The wine is full-bodied, powerful yet elegant, supple-textured, and surprisingly deep as well as delineated. Drink this hedonistic as well as intellectually satisfying Barbaresco now thru 2013. 92 pts.“-Robert Parker

* * *

AGED TO PERFECTION:
LE PIANE/CERRI BOCA LIBRARY RELEASE
Christoph Kunzli, a Swiss winemaker, was searching for the right property to begin a winery –his search ended at the historic ANTONIO CERRI estate in Boca, located in eastern Piedmont, with old vines of nebbiolo and vespolina, and a cellar full of  age-worthy Boca wines. Kunzli started his LE PIANE winery with the 1997 vintage.

The cellared CERRI BOCA DOC wines, a traditional blend of 85% Nebbiolo and 15% Vespolina aged in large barrels for 10+ years, have just arrived in Boston! VINTAGES previewed these wines months ago and made our selections of these exceptionally enjoyable, yet complex wines to offer to our customers. This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a selection of age-worthy Boca Nebbiolo wines, hand-selected and shipped directly from the cellar in Piedmont, Italy. Following are the selected CERRI BOCA DOC library wines:

1984 ANTONIO CERRI BOCA DOC $58
1985 ANTONIO CERRI BOCA DOC $58
1987 ANTONIO CERRI BOCA DOC $58
1989 ANTONIO CERRI BOCA DOC $58
1991 ANTONIO CERRI BOCA DOC $58

2004 LE PIANE BOCA DOC $58
 
LE PIANE/CERRI BOCA SIX-PACK includes one bottle of each:  Price $313 for six. 

From Adonna Imports. Very limited quantities: order now for arrival next week. 978-369-2545 or email info@vintagesonline.com

Join us for a tasting of CERRI & LE PIANE wines on THURS. DEC. 17 with Jeannie Rogers of Adonna Imports.