Young Andrea and father Rino Sottimano have been forging ahead over the past decade to produce wines of outstanding quality at their small estate on the border of Neive and Barbaresco.  Sottimano produces rich and concentrated Barbarescos with deep color and fine-grained tannins from their cru vineyards of Cottà, Currà, Fausoni, Basarin and Pajoré. Conscientious and sustainable viticulture is practiced; natural yeasts are used; no filtering or fining. Founded in 1974, the estate comprises 13 ha of Barbaresco vineyards in Treiso & Neive along with Dolcetto, Barbera and “dry” Brachetto. Annual total production is 5,000 cases.

SPECIAL PRICING ON 2006 Sottimano Barbaresco — nearly 30% off! FRIDAY & SAT. ONLY!

2006 SOTTIMANO Barbaresco Cotta (Neive) 93 pts.  Special $51 net (Reg. $70) “The wine shows plenty of softness in its dark fruit, licorice, tar and smoke in a generous, enveloping style, capped off with a long, resonating finish. As is often the case, the Cotta is the most accessible and sensual of these 2006s. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. 93 pts.“– WA

2006 SOTTIMANO Barbaresco Curra (Neive) 93 pts. Special $51 net (Reg. $70) “The 2006 Barbaresco Curra is a powerful, intense wine that impresses for its focus, length and balance. The Curra doesn’t have the immediacy or roundness of the Fausoni, but it compensates with incredible drive and persistence. Tobacco, licorice, roses, spices and red cherries add layers of nuance on the close. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. 93 pts.”-WA

2006 SOTTIMANO Barbaresco Fausoni (Neive) 94 pts. Special $51 net (Reg. $70) “The 2006 Barbaresco Fausoni reveals a gorgeous core of cherries in liqueur, menthol, spices and flowers in a surprisingly rich, round style for the vintage. The wine possesses terrific harmony and balance, with a round, polished finish. Floral notes reappear on the finish, giving the wine a pretty sense of lift. In 2006 the Fausoni is all about elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. 94 pts.”-WA

2006 SOTTIMANO Barbaresco Pajore (Treiso) 92 pts. Special $51 net (Reg. $70) “Sottimano’s 2006 Barbaresco Pajore shows its tell-tale notes of spices, menthol, minerals and dark fruit, on a medium bodied, sinewy frame. The Pajore offers terrific balance with notes of tar, smoke and licorice that come to life on the finish. Patience is the key here, but this remains the most compact and clenched of the 2006s. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. 92 pts.”-WA

2007 SOTTIMANO Langhe Nebbiolo 91 pts.  $22 “Sottimano’s Langhe Nebbiolo is made from young vines in the Basarin vineyard in Barbaresco and spends 14 months in French oak. It is a Barbaresco in everything but name… This is a very serious bottle of wine for $25.”–WA

Blown away by BEAUJOLAIS!
VINTAGES’ Eric Broege visited Jean-Marc Burgaud in Beaujolais last week. The wines Eric tasted with Jean-Marc were amazing, truly defied any gamay expectation. They are the epitome of authentic, artisanal wines for the same price as typical mass-produced wines.  They are agile, fine and elegant, yet cutting, precise, with power & intensity. Jean-Marc Burgaud is a benchmark for superb wine at daily drinking prices.

DOM. JEAN-MARC BURGAUD
2008 Chateau de Thulon  Beaujolais Villages $12.99
“Smells of cherry and holly berry, with high-toned, distilled-force concentration. In the mouth, this is juicy and satisfying; with faintly bitter cherry stone and holly berry notes nicely integrated into a generously juicy finish. Like so many of the better wines of this vintage, it combines a palpable sense of extract with delicacy and lift.” –WA

2008 Regnie “Vallieres” $14.99
“Saturates the palate with ripe, bright cherry fruit and persistent floral perfume; finishes with buoyancy and mouth-watering juiciness. Drink it young, but also hold a bottle or two for 2-3 years as there is an underlying density belied by the wine’s levity.” –WA

2008 Morgon “Les Charmes” $16.99
“Shows a striking nose of fresh strawberry, citrus oils, ginger, heliotrope, narcissus, and clean red meatiness. Its deep meatiness and seamlessly ripe fruit inhabit a palate of refined, satiny texture and lead to a long, savory finish.” 2008 Morgon “Cote du Py” $17.99
“Burgaud’s 2008 Morgon Cote de Py is scented with cherry, red currant, and narcissus. It combines cut and brightness of fruit with clean meatiness and stony minerality.”–WA

2008 Beaujolais Rose $11.99
EB notes: “Great! Ripe and drinkable, balanced, top notch!

PRE-ARRIVAL OFFER
MONTEVERTINE 2006 Le Pergole Torte $110
96 pts. ($90/bottle pre-arrival case price)
$225 for 1.5L. “Run, don’t walk — call now!”

“I was blown away by the two wines I tasted from Montevertine and proprietor Martino Manetti.”–A Galloni, WA

Eric Broege visited Montevertine last April and tasted through these beautifully pure and exquisite expressions of sangiovese with Martino Manetti (and took his photo below). We are thrilled to offer this rare & exceptional wine to our clients.

“What a pleasure it is to taste the 2006 Le Pergole Torte now that it is in bottle. The wine reveals superior density and richness in an especially generous style for this wine. Notes of smoke, licorice, leather and underbrush develop with air, adding layers of complexity to the dark red fruit. Today the tannins are a bit on the firm side as is typically the case when this wine is young, but it is impossible not to admire the 2006 Pergole Torte for its superb purity. The heat of the vintage has given the fruit in these high altitude vineyards a level of ripeness and depth that is unusual, all while maintaining the classic sense of structure that defines the best Pergole Tortes. Run, don’t walk — this is breathtaking juice no one who loves Italian wine will want to be without. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2031. 96 pts.” --Antonio Galloni, WA

Also –
2005 MONTEVERTINE IGT $42 ($35.70 case price)
“There will be no 2005 Pergole Torte. Instead, all of the estate’s best fruit went into the 2005 Montevertine (Sangioveto, Canaiolo, Colorino). The wine is sweet and generous on the palate, where pretty notes of over-ripe, candied cherries, spices, leather and cured meat come to life. 90 pts.” –WA

Call Eric at 978-369-2545 to reserve your 2006 Montevertine LE PERGOLE TORTE.

McLean recently moved up to Boston from Richmond, Virginia. In her former life, she was the wine shop manager of Barrel Thief Wine Shop & Cafe, as well as the board director (and singer) of a classical chamber choir. She also recently received her CSW, Certified Specialist of Wine, from the Society of Wine Educators.

We are excited to welcome McLean to VINTAGES and to Boston! Next time you’re in the Belmont shop, please stop and say hello!

VINTAGES’ intrepid wine director ERIC BROEGE is spending 8 days in France, tasting 300 wines today and tomorrow at VINISUD in Montpellier and braving the chilly cellars of Burgundy later this week.  VINISUD is the annual wine fair for 1,500 Mediterranean wine producers from southern France, Spain, Portugal and more. From value picks to grand crus, Eric tastes and evaulates them all, selecting only the very best for a coveted place in our cellar and yours! So far, some great finds in Gigondas & Vacqueyras, not yet in the U.S.

Some Like it HOT! Sexy Sicilian wines dressed in designer labels!  Perfect for Valentine’s Day

WINE TASTING FRI. FEB. 12, 4-7PM, Belmont & SAT. FEB. 13, 2-5pm, Concord

An exciting new line of wines from FEUDI del PISCIOTTO in Sicily, featuring labels designed by Italian fashion icons! 

Hot sunny weather, beautiful coastlines, luscious wines—who needs roses when you can bring your Valentine a beautiful wine from Sicily’s Feudi del Pisciotto? Stop by the tasting Friday (Belmont) or Saturday (Concord) and pick up the perfect bottle for a relaxing, romantic evening!

white

2008 FEUDI del PISCIOTTO Carolina Marengo Grillo $36
Cultivated in Sicily since the Phoenicians, Grillo, the primary grape of Marsala, moves center-stage in this lushly

-fruited white with aromas of baked apple and quince.  Elegant and crisp, Grillo is a flexible food partner from lobster to tandoori chicken.

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2008 FEUDI del PISCIOTTO Carolina Marengo Frappato $36

This big, bold Frappato will surprise anyone who is familiar with its lighter expression in Cerasuolo di Vittoria.  All the fragrance and fruit amped up in a lush package.

2007 FEUDI del PISCIOTTO Versace Nero d’Avola $36

Sicily’s signature red grape, Nero d’Avola established Sicily’s world-class potential long before cab and merlot arrived on the scene. Deeply aromatic with lush flavors, this powerful and seductive Nero d’Avola evokes dried berries and violets in its elegant framework.

2007 FEUDI del PISCIOTTO Valentino Merlot $36

An exuberant yet elegant Merlot imbued with remarkable structure and power.  Its plush texture and distinctive Sicilian character make it an irresistible complement to romance.

2006 FEUDI del PISCIOTTO Missoni Cabernet Sauvignon $36

While Cabernet can thrive in the Sicilian heat, the higher altitude and coastal location of the vineyards provide the perfect climate for this structured, voluptuous Cabernet.

BAROLO & BARBARESCO from VIETTI

VINTAGES tastes with Luca Currado of VIETTI winery (Barolo)
Small in size, but rich in cru vineyards!
VINTAGES’ Eric & Carolyn enjoyed a spectacular wine dinner last night at PREZZA in the North End with LUCA CURRADO of the historic VIETTI winery in Castiglione Falletto, Barolo. One unique and exciting aspect of VIETTI: they own parcels of 15 different grand cru vineyards in Barolo! Meticulous work in the vineyards and cellar optimizes the rich expression of each site’s distinctive character.

“I can’t think of too many estates in Piedmont that have raised the bar higher than Vietti has over the last decade or so. Virtually every wine that emerges from these cellars is outstanding, and many are profound. Winemaker Luca Currado and staff have taken the early groundbreaking work of Alfredo and Lucia Currado and built upon those successes, reaching an unprecedented level of consistency and quality across their entire range.” — Antonio Galloni, WA

The following VIETTI wines are available to order: (more…)

20% off 12 bottles*
25% off 24 or more*

*Sale includes Barbaresco & Barolos $50 and over. Wines on special are excluded.

PIEDMONT is near and dear to VINTAGES’ wine-soaked heart. The best Valentine we can offer to our wonderful customers and long-time supporters is a BIG SALE on our signature collection of outstanding Barbaresco & Barolo!

Producers include:

and much, much more! Come on in for best selection!

2008 MARTIN CODAX BURGANS Albariño (Rias Baixas) $12.99 A project between importer Eric Solomon and Luciano Almoedo, a champion of Rias Baixas and its most famous white grape. A refreshing, juicy Albariño—the perfect answer to white chili or some serious guacamole.

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2005 BODEGA MUSTIGUILLO Mestizaje (El Terrerazo) Special $12.99 (was $15.99)
A blend of 70% Bobal, 10% Tempranillo, 10% Cab, 10% Garnacha.  What’s Bobal?  A native to Valencia known for its bullhead-shaped grape bunches (i.e. boval) that’s quickly gaining an international audience.  Mustiguillo is a winery dedicated to Bobal’s history and significance in viticulture!

2007 CAPÇANES Mas Donis Barrica Old Vines (Montsant) $12.99
From village commune to kosher producer to quality wine co-op, Capçanes has been crafting its philosophy and wines since 1933.  Mas Donis starts with 10-50 year old Garnacha vines (85%), adds a helping of Syrah and a healthy amount of time in oak (barrica).

2007 BODEGAS Y VINEDOS MAURODOS PRIM’A Toro (Toro) $23
Mostly Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo family) with a touch of Garnacha, this gets the royal treatment with 12 months in French & American oak.  “A serious example of Toro at a nearly frivolous price.” (WA)  Couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

NEW! 2007 CELLER CAL PLA Porrera Black Slate (Priorat)$23 Debut blend of 60% Garnacha, 40% Carinena — vines 60-100 years old!  Vi del la Vila is the village appellation of this concentrated blend.

*SuperBowl Salsa!