2004 Barolo Monfortino: Simply Magnificent!

Posted on December 7, 2011 by admin

2004 MONFORTINO: Off-the-scale!

Robert Parker’s wine rating scale yet again demonstrates its limitations by awarding Monfortino “only” 100 points.Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino A prime example of the limitations of point scales is the 100-point rating awarded to the 2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva: is it enough? If one of the best winemakers in the world continues to improve every vintage, how will future wines be scored??
Anyone who knows us also knows we don’t give a hoot about scores and reviews. We just make sure that all the excellent wines on our shelves are rubbing shoulders with bottles that are equally great.

A bit of background: The Giacomo Conterno winery was established in 1908 by Giovanni Conterno. He and his son Giacomo made the first Barolo Monfortino in 1920, intended to be a long-aging, powerful Barolo. Giacomo continued the winery, using nebbiolo purchased from top Serralunga farmers. In 1969, Giacomo’s sons, Aldo and Giovanni, divided the estate, with Giovanni keeping the Giacomo Conterno name and family winemaking traditions. With the purchase of the Cascina Francia vineyards in 1974, the Conternos achieved their goal of 100% estate-grown fruit.  Roberto Conterno continues the family legacy, and like his father, has proven himself a brilliant winemaker.

VINTAGES is honored be able to offer these magnificent wines to our customers. Following are reviews of the three new Giacomo Conterno releases. To order, select one of the four packages: Magnificent Mixed Case or Six Pack; Conterno Collector’s Barolo Case or Six Pack.   Just call Eric Broege at 978-369-2545 or email eric@vintagesonline.com to purchase.

2004 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo Monfortino Riserva $585   100 pts.
“The 2004 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is drop-dead gorgeous. I have tasted the wine multiple times from barrel and three times from bottle and never been anything less than blown away. The 2004 is a subtle, layered Monfortino that captures the sheer elegance and finesse of this great vintage. It is sweet, perfumed, silky and utterly mind-blowing. From barrel it has always been a 100 point wine, but it has just been bottled and naturally a bit closed in on itself. Still, with some time in the glass its silky, perfumed fruit and dazzling class come to life. The 2004 is remarkably harmonious for such a young wine.
Kudos to Roberto Conterno and his team for this magnificent, thrilling Barolo. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2044. 100 pts.” – Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

2007 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo Cascina Francia $125 96+ pts.
Roberto Conterno decided not to bottle Monfortino in 2007. “The result is a Cascina Francia that is unusually dark, rich and powerful. The floral, herbal notes that are typical in young Cascina Francia have been replaced by deeper notes of tar, smoke and licorice to match the layers of intense dark fruit. The 2007 is powerful and imposing from start to finish. It is going to be a fascinating Barolo to follow over the coming years and decades. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2037. 96 pts.” — Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

2009 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia $50 93 pts.
“Dazzles with its combination of expressive, generous fruit and insistent minerality. Sweet herbs, roses, spices, anise, licorice and leather add complexity to a core of radiant fruit. This is a regal, aristocratic Barbera of the highest level. Drink 2012-2029. 93 pts.” –A. Galloni, WA

GIACOMO CONTERNO 2004 Barolo Monfortino Packages
Prices in ( ) are the discounted price for that package.

Giacomo Conterno Barolo and Barbera1. Magnificent Mixed Case: 4 bottles of each
2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva $585 ($497.25) 100 pts.
2007 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia $125 ($106.25) 96+ pts.
2009 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia $50 ($42.50) 93 pts.
12 bottles = $2,584

2. Stellar Six Pack: 2 bottles each
2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva $585 ($526.50)
2007 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia $125 ($112.50)
2009 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia $50 ($45)
6 bottles = $1,368

3. Conterno Collector’s Barolo Case — 6 bottles each
2007 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva $585 ($497.25)
2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia $125 ($106.25)
12 bottles = $3,621

4. Conterno Collector’s Barolo Six pack – 3 bottles each
Giacomo Conterno Barolo Duo2007 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva $585 ($526.50)
2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia $125 ($112.50)
6 bottles = $1,917

Call Eric at 978-369-2545 or email eric@vintagesonline.com.

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2007 Barolo & Barbaresco: View from the Top

Posted on November 13, 2011 by admin

There is nothing we love more than sharing our passion for Piedmont wines with our adventurous customers!

renato vacca head shot
Renato Vacca

Renato Vacca, CANTINA del PINO, Barbaresco

“Every wine from this small cellar in the center of Barbaresco is fabulous. I can’t say enough good things about Cantina del Pino. I never turn down a chance to drink these wines, as they are exceptional.” –Antonio Galloni, WA

We couldn’t agree more… how many different ways over the past 11 years have we emphasized how great, and what a tremendous value, are these wines from Renato?

In some ways, we feel that Cantina del Pino and VINTAGES have grown up together. We were first introduced to Renato Vacca and Cantina del Pino in 2001 by his importer Ideal Wine. This was the first vintage for Renato and his father Adriano (1997) after the decision to strike out on their own and leave the famous co-operative Produttori del Barbaresco. Since then, VINTAGES has purchased and sold every single vintage Renato has made, and his wines are so omnipresent in our stores, we fear our customers may possibly take them for granted. We hope not — we have been rooting for Renato’s success all along as a small winery of humble means that has approached, and in some cases surpassed, the quality of the most storied cellars in the entire Barbaresco region. And all along Renato has maintained a down-to-earth, self-deprecating, hyper-modest, as well as funny personality.

VINTAGES is proud to offer the 2007 Barbarescos of Cantina del Pino, the eleventh vintage in a meteoric rise to the upper echelons of Barbaresco hierarchy.

2007 CANTINA del PINO BARBARESCO “Albesani” $60 -95 pts.

The third vintage of the “Albesani” vineyard from Renato Vacca. “The 2007 Barbaresco Albesani is a big wine that captures the essence of this south-facing site in Neive. Despite its size, the Albesani shows remarkable polish and depth. Black cherries, menthol, licorice and mint are some of the nuances that are woven together in this intense, sensual Barbaresco. All of the elements come together beautifully. I can only wonder why there aren’t more wines like this being made in Barbaresco today. This is simply dazzling juice. 95 pts.” –WA

2007 CANTINA del PINO BARBARESCO “Ovello” $60 -93+ pts.

“The 2007 Barbaresco Ovello is another huge wine. It is quite powerful at first, but then finds its typical focus through the mid-palate and into the finish. Ovello is one of the coolest sites in Barbaresco, and that austerity comes through, even in 2007. Still the wine possesses terrific depth and sheer volume in its expressive dark red fruit, flowers and mint. There is every reason to believe the Ovello will turn out to be even better than this note suggests. 93+ pts.” –WA

Alex Sanchez, BROVIA, Barolo

brovia alex sanchez vines
Alex Sanchez

The new generation at Fratelli BROVIA carries the torch of a long and distinguished wine tradition (est. 1863). Giacinto Brovia’s daughters Cristina and Elena, and Elena’s husband Alex Sanchez continue the  traditions established by their father, while continuing to improve and differentiate the Barolos & Barberas that are part of their heritage. Blessed with superior vineyards in Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba, Brovia takes inspiration from these tremendous assets to achieve even greater expressions of nebbiolo and barbera. Kudos to the keepers of the flame!

2007 BROVIA Barolo “Garblet Sue” $70 -95 pts.
“The 2007 Barolo Garblet Sue’ is another stunning wine. Smoke, tar, iron, roses and dark red fruit are woven together in a muscular, virile style that is striking. The finish shows fabulous intensity, drive and focus, virtually covering the tannins. It is simply dazzling. 95 pts.” –WA
2007 BROVIA Barolo “Villero” $82 -95 pts.
The 2007 Barolo Villero reveals tons of detail in its layers of sweet, mentholated fruit. Spices, licorice and myriad of other balsamic notes flow effortlessly; …a hugely promising wine. 95 pts.” –WA
2008 BROVIA Barbera d’Alba “Brea” $33
Made from the vineyard that is home to the famous “Ca’Mia” Barolo. Luscious, classy Barbera — truly one of the most coddled, pedigreed Barberas you’ll ever find!
FERDINANDO PRINCIPIANO, Monforte, Barolo

principiano photo
Ferdi Principiano

While Ferdinando Principiano continues to experiment with his great “Boscareto” vineyard in Serralunga, he has started making a fabulous Barolo from 70-year-old vines in the “Ravera” vineyard in Monforte d’Alba. This is a classic Monforte Barolo with deep blackberry fruit, deep, commanding tannins and a long, fine mineral finish. Ferdinando is another highly talented winemaker who in recent years has been more of an artist searching for meaning in his craft, and trying to create something distinctively his own in a wine region almost suffocatingly cloaked in tradition. Ferdinando is a free spirit who was courageous enough to take everything he knew and throw it on the scrap heap, and then start anew. Ferdi is one of the most commendable ‘New Generation’ Barolo makers who is not only running a business and creating a product, but who is searching for meaning in an agricultural endeavor, that in some cases borders on artistic expression. We salute Ferdinando Principiano as well as offer his new 2007 Barolo ‘Ravera’ exclusively at VINTAGES, Belmont and Concord.

2007 PRINCIPIANO Barolo “Ravera” $60
93 pts. VINTAGES EXCLUSIVE

“The 2007 Barolo Ravera is sweet, open and totally inviting. It shows gorgeous radiance in its expressive dark fruit. Hints of mocha, espresso, spices and licorice develop in the glass. Sweet floral notes add complexity on the nuanced  finish. This is another impressive showing from Principiano. 93 pts.” — WA
MARCHESI di GRESY, Barbaresco

As a young man just out of university, Alberto di Gresy began vinifying and bottling his own wines in 1973 from his family’s estatemarchesi gresy land

fruit in the Barbaresco zone.

Recognized since Roman times, the 11-hectare Martinenga is considered to be one of the greatest vineyards dedicated to the production of Barbaresco. With ideal southern exposure and the particular composition of the soil (blue marl), the pristine nebbiolo fruit is transformed into a Barbaresco of undeniable pedigree and finesse. “Martinenga” is the estate’s flagship wine, and is one of the benchmarks of Barbaresco.

2007 MARCHESI di GRESY Barbaresco “Martinenga” $45 -92 pts.

“The 2007 Barbaresco Martinenga emerges from the glass with a delicate expression of fruit that in essence defines the house style. The 2007 is a wonderfully open, expressive Martinenga laced with ripe red berries, flowers and spices, all of which come together on a weightless frame of notable class. This is a fabulous effort from Marchesi di Gresy. 92 pts.” -WA

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Tasting: 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape

Posted on October 26, 2011 by admin

Title: Tasting: 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape
Location: VINTAGES West Concord store
Description: 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape wines from CLOS du MONT OLIVET! Wine tasting features two 2009 Chateauneuf du Papes, two 2009 Cotes du Rhone reds and 2010 two whites.
Start Time: 14:00
Date: 2011-10-29
End Time: 17:00

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New German Rieslings! Mosel’s time to shine!

Posted on October 26, 2011 by admin

WINE TASTING: MA Premiere

What’s with that spongebob starry-eyed look? Is it those new allergy meds? No, it’s because we’re goofy about these newly imported artisanal German Rieslings with cool labels that will likely be difficult to sell.  In any event, we found a kindred mosel vineyardsspirit in Dan Melia of Mosel Wine Merchant, a self-proclaimed “tilter at windmills.” He imports a portfolio of small, family-owned estates, mostly located on impossibly steep, terraced, slate hillsides along the Mosel River in Germany.

Dan is passionate about these very committed, hard-working vintners who, against all odds and all economic sense, continue this very labor-intensive endeavor more for pride than than for euros. Fortunately for us, their work results in some of the most stratospheric Mosel Riesling we’ve encountered. And the price? Quite reasonable–cheap, even–when you think about what you  would pay for, say a burgundy chardonnay, that could come anywhere close to this exquisite complexity & quality.

This weekend, we are opening seven Rieslings on Friday in Belmont and Saturday in Concord. Join us for a taste of the origin of fine Riesling — the Mosel in Germany. These wines will speak for themselves, especially since our deutsch is a little rusty.

We are pleased to introduce these Rieslings from three wineries: Clemens Busch, Peter Lauer, and Immich-Batterieberg.

From CLEMENS BUSCH, Punderich

clemens busch
Clemens Busch

Clemens pours all his energy into his 11 ha of vines and creates an enormously complex, startlingly delicious range of wines. His commitment both to the terroir within the Marienburg and to organic and biodynamic principles marks him as one of the most forward-thinking winemakers in Germany.

2010 CLEMENS BUSCH Riesling Trocken $25

2008 CLEMENS BUSCH Marienburg Riesling “Fahrlay” $45

peter lauer label

From PETER LAUER, Ayl

Florian Lauer has begun to transform this estate’s reputation into one of the most respected and highly-esteemed producers in Germany. This 7.5 ha estate makes balanced, traditional Saar Riesling with wonderful finesse.

2010 PETER LAUER “Barrel 10″ $19.99

2010 PETER LAUER Ayler Kupp Fass 12 Riesling “Unterstenbersch” $40

From IMMICH-BATTERIEBERG, Enkirch:

batterieberg labelTalented Gernot Kollmann has taken over as director at this once-renowned 3 ha estate best known for long-lived dry Rieslings. The emphasis is on purity, structure, and the distinctiveness of the varied Enkirch terroir.

2010 IMMICH-BATTERIEBERG CAI Riesling $25

2010 IMMICH-BATTERIEBERG Ellergrub Riesling $55

2009 IMMICH-BATTERIEBERG Escheburg Riesling $35

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Wine Tasting: New from Rhone & Minervois

Posted on October 14, 2011 by admin

Title: Wine Tasting: New from Rhone & Minervois
Location: VINTAGES Belmont store
Description: WINE TASTING: Belmont Store
New from Southern France–Minervois & Southern Rhone
FRI. OCT. 14, 4-7pm
SAT. OCT. 15, 3-6pm

Featuring wines of CLOS CENTEILLES, Minervois, REMEJEANNE, Cotes du Rhone, and BOUISSIERE, Gigondas. Rich, ripe fruit ready for autumnal occasions.

clos centeilles blanc white
2009 CLOS CENTEILLES “C de Centeilles” Blanc Cotes du Brian $19.99
An original blend of “lost” heritage grapes from the Languedoc, painstakingly cultivated and vinified by Patricia Boyers-Domergue. Notes of pear, fennel and almonds; very fresh. Try with ripe chevre or savory onion tart.

2009 DOM. REMEJEANNE Cotes du Rhone Blanc “Eglantiers” $35
Blend of Roussanne, Viognier, and Clairette hand-picked and aged 10 mos. in oak barrels. Flowers and citrus on the nose; ultra-rich and elegant white from Remy Klein.

2007 CLOS CENTEILLES Campagne de Centeilles $14.99 In the skilled hands of winemaker Patricia Domergue, the “difficult” grape Cinsault creates an elegant, smooth, complex red, full of earth, tobacco and spice character.

NEW! 2009 DOM. la BOUISSIERE “Les Amis de la Bouissiere” $17.99
From the Gigondas appellation, the Faravel brothers hand-picked the grapes for this juicy, full-bodied, flavorful red to enjoy with their friends. Blend of Grenache, Syrah and Merlot. Think about pork chops with apples, grilled meat or veggies, or just an autumn evening sipper!

remejeanne cellar
Remejeanne cellar
2009 DOM. REMEJEANNE “Terre de Lune” $25
Blend of 80% syrah and 20% grenache, “Terre de Lune” is very much a northern Rhone style wine with characteristic violets on the nose, minerality and a wild “sauvage” character.

Start Date: 2011-10-14
Start Time: 16:00
End Date: 2011-10-15
End Time: 18:00

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Wine Tasting: Barolo from Rinaldi & Brezza

Posted on October 14, 2011 by admin

Title: Wine Tasting: Barolo from Rinaldi & Brezza
Location: VINTAGES West Concord store
Description: WINE TASTING: Belmont Store
New from Southern France–Minervois & Southern Rhone
FRI. OCT. 14, 4-7pm
SAT. OCT. 15, 3-6pm

Featuring wines of CLOS CENTEILLES, Minervois, REMEJEANNE, Cotes du Rhone, and BOUISSIERE, Gigondas. Rich, ripe fruit ready for autumnal occasions.

white
2009 CLOS CENTEILLES “C de Centeilles” Blanc Cotes du Brian $19.99
An original blend of “lost” heritage grapes from the Languedoc, painstakingly cultivated and vinified by Patricia Boyers-Domergue. Notes of pear, fennel and almonds; very fresh. Try with ripe chevre or savory onion tart.

2009 DOM. REMEJEANNE Cotes du Rhone Blanc “Eglantiers” $35
Blend of Roussanne, Viognier, and Clairette hand-picked and aged 10 mos. in oak barrels. Flowers and citrus on the nose; ultra-rich and elegant white from Remy Klein.

2007 CLOS CENTEILLES Campagne de Centeilles $14.99 In the skilled hands of winemaker Patricia Domergue, the “difficult” grape Cinsault creates an elegant, smooth, complex red, full of earth, tobacco and spice character.

NEW! 2009 DOM. la BOUISSIERE “Les Amis de la Bouissiere” $17.99
From the Gigondas appellation, the Faravel brothers hand-picked the grapes for this juicy, full-bodied, flavorful red to enjoy with their friends. Blend of Grenache, Syrah and Merlot. Think about pork chops with apples, grilled meat or veggies, or just an autumn evening sipper!

Remejeanne cellar
2009 DOM. REMEJEANNE “Terre de Lune” $25
Blend of 80% syrah and 20% grenache, “Terre de Lune” is very much a northern Rhone style wine with characteristic violets on the nose, minerality and a wild “sauvage” character.

Start Date: 2011-10-14
Start Time: 16:00
End Date: 2011-10-15
End Time: 17:00

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