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Priorat, Spain: dramatically different
 It's not just one or two factors that make the case for Priorat: it's terroir magnified to the tenth power: a veritable inversion of riches. Northwest exposure is prized against the intensity of the sun and heat; parched, inhospitable conditions, crumbly, nutritionally-poor slate soil, steeply terraced vineyards -- how lucky can you get?
The Romans planted vines as early as the 3rd c. B.C., but not much attention was paid to the region until the early 1990's, when dozens of wineries erupted in long-forgotten villages following the success of Rene Barbier of Clos Mogador and the original five "Clos" established in the 1980's. What's all the fuss? Find out this Saturday, March 24 at VINTAGES Concord store.
PRIORAT WINE TASTING at VINTAGES CONCORD STORE Sat. March 24, 2-5pm Join us on Saturday, March 24 for a tasting of new arrivals from the compelling PRIORAT region of Spain. Don't miss this opportunity to taste a selection of whites and reds from this dramatic landscape. Mr. Mario Rufo of M.S. Walker will present the wines.  | | Llicorella slate soil |
Whites 2010 PAZO de SENORANS Albarino $23 "As usual, Pazo de Senorans has made one of the finest Albarinos of the vintage. The 2010 Albarino was aged in small stainless steel vats sur lie with batonnage for 4 months. Jasmine, mineral, lemon zest, and other citrus notes inform the nose of this multi-dimensional, already complex white. On the palate, tropical flavors emerge adding to the wine's pleasure quotient. Drink this superb effort over the next 3-4 years. 93 pts. --WA 2010 CONRERIA d'SCALA "Les Brugueres" $36 "Bright, spicy aromas of pear, lemon curd, honey and toasty lees.  Concentrated, tactile and dense, with spicy lift to its flavors of white fruit and candied flowers. A chewy, mineral-driven wine, showing the richness of old vines, reportedly more than a century old. Finishes bright and long, echoing the lemon and pear notes. This wine's blend of depth and energy is intriguing. 92 pts." -IWA Red 2009 SCALA DEI Negre $19.99 The first winery established in Priorat, Scala Dei dates back to 1163. The dramatic landscape of the region surrounding the winery is breathtakingly steep and covered in black slate. The extremely low grape yields, sometimes only two pounds of fruit per vine, produce highly concentrated fruit. A fresh, intense, structured wine with a fresh aroma of ripe red berries. Blackberries and fig on the palate with underlying mineral notes from the "licorella" slate soil. Pairs well with grilled meats, cured cheeses, and cured meats. 2009 CELLERS de l'ENCASTELL "Marge" $30 Located in the ancient town of Porrera, the winery was built in 1999  to vinify the estate's 50-80 year old Grenache and Carignan vineyards. "Celler de L'Encastell's 2009 Marge is made up of 60% Garnacha with the balance Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 8 months in French and American oak. Dense purple in color, it delivers an enticing nose of licorice, liquid minerality, lavender, incense, and black cherry. Round, intense, and layered on the palate, it is likely to unwind for another 2-3 years and deliver prime drinking from 2013 to 2021. 91 pts" - WA 2007 MAS d'En COMPTE Tinto $30 One of the oldest grape-growing families in the Priorat, the Sangenis family established Mas d'en Compte in 1995 to bottle wine under their own name. Grapes organically farmed. Most vines are 50+ years old, with some parcels of 100+ years. 2007 CLOS FIGUERES "Font de la Figuera" $40 Located in Gratallops on the northern side of the Sierra del Monsant, the area's unique soils, climate and elevation separate it from other villages in the region. Only 16 miles from the Mediterranean, cooling breezes blow up the Ebro Valley from the coast regulating the temperatures in the vineyards. "The 2007 Font de la Figuera is deep crimson-colored with a compelling nose of mineral, scorched earth, Asian spices, boysenberry, and black cherry. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with layers of flavor and enough structure to evolve for 4-6 years. This well-balanced, lengthy Priorat will deliver prime drinking from 2014 to 2027. 91 pts." --WA | |
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2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Ris. Pre-Sell
 | | Aldo Vacca, Director, Produttori del Barbaresco |
As most of you know, Produttori del Barbaresco, the legendary cooperative of Piedmont, claims a hallowed spot in our hearts, and on our shelves. With a broad swath of nine cru vineyards, and winemaking that closely hews to tradition and quality, the Produttori is tough to beat in its pure expression of vineyard, variety (nebbiolo!), and vintage characteristics. Of course, the wines are superb with long-aging potential. In 2006, the Produttori did not bottle the nine Barbaresco cru Riservas, so fans of the single-vineyards have waited patiently for this outstanding 2007 vintage. VINTAGES will offer all nine cru bottlings of the 2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Riservas. Aldo Vacca, the director, has visited our stores and presided over our wine dinners numerous times, and he knows our customers are savvy enough to appreciate all the crus. With nine to choose from, there's something for everyone, and comparing the different crus is part of the enjoyment and education. Scores are from Wine Advocate. Grazie! Price: $65
Discounts: 12 or more bottles of 2007 cru 20% off ($52)*
(*Excludes Rabaja. 2007 Rabaja is very limited and can only be purchased along with other crus. For every three bottles of 2007 Riservas purchased, you may purchase one bottle of 2007 Rabaja net-priced at $65).
2007 Produttori del Barbaresco "Asili" 94 pts.
2007 Produttori del Barbaresco "Montestefano" 94 pts.
2007 Produttori del Barbaresco "Montefico" 93 pts.
2007 Produttori del Barbaresco "Muncagotta" 90 pts.
2007 Produttori del Barbaresco "Ovello" 95 pts.
2007 Produttori del Barbaresco "Paje" 92 pts.
2007 Produttori del Barbaresco "Pora" 94 pts.
2007 Produttori del Barbaresco "Rio Sordo" 93 pts.
To place your order, call VINTAGES 978-369-2545 (Concord) or 617-484-4560 (Belmont). All orders will be confirmed next week.
Wines are scheduled to arrive in late April.
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Muscadet: a dry white you should "friend"
 | Jo Landron: a man and his Muscadet
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One bright day in the not-too-distant future, we will longer have to say over and over: "Muscadet is a compelling DRY white wine." With an astonishing price-to-quality ratio, Muscadet should be a familiar go-to white for anyone who drinks sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. Even easier to say than either of those, Muscadet remains a mystery to most. Why? The usual suspects: the grape is unfamiliar (Melon de Bourgogne); the name is very long and French; and it's often confused with sweet wines Muscat and Muscatel. We'll say it again: it's well worth the small effort and price to get to know Muscadet! Plus, it's organically grown! A new vintage from perennial over-achiever Mr. Jo Landron at DOM. de la LOUVETRIE has arrived: just in time for our early spring and hot summer.
2010 DOM. de la LOUVETRIE Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie "Hermine d'Or" $13.99  From vines rooted in granite and quartz soils. Flavors of fresh oyster shell, a bit briny, with rich green fruit, and refreshing minerality. "Sevre et Maine" designates the confluence of two rivers in the Loire Vally, the top terroir for Muscadet. "Sur Lie" can only be used by higher level appellations and indicates the wine has aged "on its lees" before bottling. 2010 DOM. de la LOUVETRIE Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie "Amphibolite Nature" $14.99 Vines averaging 30+ years grown on a 7.5 ha parcel of bedrock soil that was once ocean floor. Flavors of citrus, saline, and green melon, loaded with minerality. Very fresh,  with a sea-breezy soft texture.
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Wine Tasting in Concord Sat 3/24
| "New from PRIORAT Spain" Wine Tasting Sat. Mar. 24, 2-5pm
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white 2010 PAZO de SENORANS Albarino $23 2010 CONRERIA d'SCALA "Les Brugueres" $36 red 2009 SCALA DEI Negre $19.99 2009 CELLERS de l'ENCASTELL "Marge" $30 2007 MAS den COMPT Tinto $30 2007 CLOS FIGUERES "Font de la Figuera" $40 Please join us! |
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2011 ROSE is here!
| Chill out with a new 2011 Rose!
| 2011 DOM FENOUILLET Cotes du Ventoux Rose $14.99
This Ventoux Rosé from the village of Beaumes-de-Venise is pale rose in color, quite fruity, with a brisk mineral finish. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, this lovely rose is delicious as well as certified organic! | | | | |
New from Patagonia
| Bodega Noemia de Patagonia "A Lisa" $19.99
| High-desert red
Bodega Noemia, owned by  the principals of Argiano from Montalcino in Tuscany, is located in the Rio Negro Valley, the high desert area of Argentina's Patagonia, 620 mi south of Buenos Aires. Malbec, merlot and petit verdot are farmed organically and biodynamically.
Made from 90% Malbec, the wine was fermented with native yeasts and spent 9 months in seasoned French oak before bottling without fining or filtration. | | "Bodega Noemia de Patagonia is on my short list for finest winery in Patagonia." - WA (Question: how many wineries are in Patagonia?) | | |
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Iconic wines of Campania: Montevetrano & Galardi
Both winners of the Three Glasses Award!
2008 MONTEVETRANO 94+ pts. Special price $72.25!
 Silvia Imparato, photographer and wine hobbyist, decided in the 1980's to revive her family's estate near Salerno in Campania. Silvia hired top eonologist Riccardo Cotarella to create what became the first iconic wine of the region. "Loaded with the essence of black cherry liqueur, minerals and spices, the wine conquers the palate with layers of richly structured fruit. ... Today the 2008 looks to be a fabulous Montevetrano...drink 2018-2028. 94+ points." -- A. Galloni, WA A heroic southern Italian wine
2008 GALARDI "TERRE di LAVORO" 97+ pts. Reg. $90; Special 6-bottle Price: $68 each " Galardi's 2008 Terra di Lavoro is a legend in the making. It is a fabulously ripe, rich and seductive wine endowed with beautifully articulated dark plums, ash, leather, licorice, all of which meld together in an explosive, utterly thrilling display of class and elegance. Clean, mineral notes frame the eternal finish. The wine will require considerable patience, but its class, pedigree and potential are all first-rate. Simply put, the 2008 is a monumental Terra di Lavoro. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038. 97+ points." -- A. Galloni, Wine Advocate For more on these wines, click here. | |
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New Arrivals Teeming with "Terroir"
Wines with "whereness." Whatever you want to call it, that particular sense of place is the hallmark of all great wine, and it's what consumers should seek out at every price range. Really, is there any wine drinking occasion when you don't want that quality? Say no to boring and enjoy the drama of every growing season and harvest in a glass -- how wonderful is that? These new arrivals CELEBRATE their expression of place, and we'll toast to that. FRANCE
2010 JEAN-MARC BURGAUD Morgon "Cuvee James" $30 (Beaujolais, France)
 | | Jean-Marc Burgaud |
Always a standout, the "Cuvee James" is harvested from a single, high-altitude parcel of 45 year old Gamay vines that yield a surprisingly rich and complex red from the cru village of MORGON. The 2010 delivers ripe cassis and blackberry flavors mingled with rose hip and black pepper notes on a strikingly aromatic and richly-concentrated palate. Mouthwatering salinity, and gripping finish. 92+-WA.
2008 MICHEL GAHIER Arbois Chardonnay "Les Cretes" $30 (Jura, France)
 | | Michel Gahier |
The Gahier family has lived in the Jura since 1525. The family domaine is 6.5 hectares with the vineyards concentrated in the village of Montigny-les-Arsures. As a winemaker, Michel Gahier has learned from the best; Gahier is a neighbor and friend of Jacques Puffeney, the top dog in this region. VINTAGES is delighted to present this Chardonnay made from a single hillside vineyard, grown organically, unfiltered, aged in large foudres and smaller cask for two+ years. Jura fans: This is not an oxidized, sherry-ish chardonnay bottling, but a fresher, nicely textured and complex, appealing and more versatile white.
ITALY
201 0 ARGIANO "NC" Rosso (Super Tuscan) $19.99 (Montalcino, Tuscany)From a top Brunello producer in Montalcino comes a new vintage of the tasty, organically-grown super-tuscan blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. (The previous vintage was #46 in the WS top 100.) The "NC" stands for "Non Confunditur" which is Latin for "don't be confused" and was the original motto of the estate. (?) Whatever it means, don't let it stop you from enjoying this nicely priced Montalcino red! 2010 TERREDORA di PAOLO Falanghina $14.99 (white)
(Campania, Italy) Sweet, floral aromatics meld into a core of yellow stone fruit. The 2010 is a pretty Falanghina, with pure and precise flavors, underlined with crisp minerality. Piedmont-ELIO GRASSO
"Elio Grasso remains the most under-appreciated of Piedmont's  top growers. Make no mistake about it, these wines can easily hold their own with the best from the region. When one factors in price, these are easily some of the finest age-worthy wines on the planet ."-- WA Earlier this week, Gianluca Grasso visited the shop and presented his recent releases-- all were outstanding. Here are two very different, yet classic, piemontese choices:
2010 ELIO GRASSO Dolcetto d'Alba $17.99
"The 2010 Dolcetto d'Alba dei Grassi is fabulous. Grasso's approach in the vineyard gives the Dolcetto just that extra little bit of dimension and complexity to the fruit, without abandoning a true, varietal expression. The wine shows excellent minerality and focus in a tense, wiry style that is typical of the year. I loved it. 90 pts." --WA
2008 ELIO GRASSO Barbera d'Alba $30
 "Made from vines close to Grasso's Gavarini vineyard but facing southwest; vinified and aged "like Barolo"; elevage in 50% new and 50% once-used barriques for 15 months. Bright red-ruby. The aromatic nose offers a complex combination of red fruits, spicy oak and flowers. Very fine-grained, suave and dry, with perfectly integrated acidity emphasizing the wine's detail and floral element. A pliant, ripe wine of great finesse. finishing with smooth tannins and lovely subtle, nebbiolo-like perfume. Classy juice. 92 pts." - IWA
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2009 Burgundy from CHEVILLON & FOURRIER
2009 Burgundy is one of those vintages that brings smiles all around the table, from vignerons and winemakers, to importers and discerning consumers. Winemakers called it "easy;" we just call it delicious! But supplies are limited -- many bottlings are already sold out. Amazingly, we have two 2009 reds from two of the most highly-regarded family-run estates in stock now! When you retrieve these from your home cellar in a few years, you will be congratulating yourself for your incredible foresight and wine smarts!
2009 DOM. ROBERT CHEVILLON Nuits-St.-Georges 1er "Les Perrieres" $85 ($72.25 case price) 93 pts.
 Bertrand Chevillon called the 2009 a vintage that created "very powerful, ripe and concentrated wines. We picked from the 11th to the 17th of September under perfect harvest conditions. Yields were generous yet by no means excessive. It was one of those rare vintages where there was no stress from start to finish. As to the wines, 2009 reminds me of 2005 or 1999." Click for more....
 2009 DOM. FOURRIER Gevrey-Chambertin Vielles Vignes $70 ($59.50 case price)
Jean-Marie Fourrier was equally pleased with the ease of the '09 harvest and elevage. "As to the wines," he says, "they are already delicious and deceptively accessible, which means that too many of them are going to be drunk too young. The '09s are going to surprise people in terms of how well they age." Click to see more...
Don't walk -- run to the nearest VINTAGES and get your '09 Burgundy today! | |
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Join us for the PRIORAT, Spain wine tasting in Concord on Sat. March 24 from 2-5pm. Try the new rose!
HAPPY SPRING!
Thank you! Carolyn & EricAndrew, Brian & Carl
store locations
53 Commonwealth Avenue
West Concord, MA 978-369-2545
32 Leonard St. Belmont, MA 617-484-4560
shop vintagesonline.com
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