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Now in stores:
2007 Brunello from Valdicava & Salvioni
Extremely limited quantities. Don't wait! Call 978-369-2545.
There are many, many Brunello producers in Montalcino, dozens of grand, expansive estates with lots of land, big tractors, big marketing machines, tasting rooms for tourists --they've got it all. But if you really want to experience the pinnacle of this iconic Tuscan wine, what it can really achieve, it would be one of these small, modest-looking wineries in the center of Montalcino: Salvioni and Valdicava.
Yes, these estates have the high scores and gushing reviews from top critics. Yet they answer to no one; only to the land, its traditions, and their own commitment to an uncompromising level of quality.
2007 SALVIONI Brunello di Montalcino 97 pts. Reg. $195; Special $165.75
" The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is a pure, rapturous beauty. Layers of sweet red fruit meld into rose petals, licorice, spices and mint as the 2007 seduces all of the senses. The ripe, open personality of the year is present, but there is more than enough  structure to provide balance. Floral notes reappear on the vibrant, beautifully articulated finish. The 2007 is more than a worthy follow up to the epic 2006. This is a magical Brunello in every way. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2032. 97 pts." --A. Galloni, Wine Advocate Also, don't miss the U.S. exclusive 2009 SALVIONI Rosso di Montalcino Reg. $65; Special $48.  Interesting note from Antonio Galloni's latest article on his visit to Montalcino: "Later that evening I had dinner at a local restaurant (in Montalcino). A simple place. We ordered the 2009 Salvioni Rosso di Montalcino, a wine that never makes it to the U.S. that I was curious to try." -A. Galloni Hmm. Too bad Galloni doesn't shop at VINTAGES -- we have the 2009 Salvioni Rosso di Montalcino on the shelf in both stores! Available now. SPECIAL $48 net."Giulio Salvioni is one of the great producers of Italy's old guard. I am convinced that Salvioni's small vineyard, and that of his neighbor Diego Molinari, are among the most privileged spots for Sangiovese in Tuscany. If we were in Burgundy, these vineyards would be considered the grandest of the grand crus." -- A. Galloni, WA 2007 VALDICAVA Brunello di Montalcino 95 pts. Reg. $125; Special $106.25
 " The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is gorgeous. Dark red cherries, plums, spices, leather and tobacco wrap around the palate as this dense, powerful wine starts to open up. Finessed, suave tannins reinforce an impression of elegance. The 2007 can be enjoyed with minimum cellaring, but it will also age gracefully for many years. Hints
 | | Vincenzo at VINTAGES Belmont |
of tobacco, crushed flowers and spices wrap around the sensual finish. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. 95 pts." ALSO, 2009 VALDICAVA Rosso di Montalcino $35; ($29.75 case price). The 2009 Valdicava Rosso di Montalcino offers pure, lush fruit, floral and red fruit aromas. " Vincenzo Abbruzzese (Valdicava) has been one of Montalcino's most consistent producers over the last few years, an impression that was reinforced during my visit earlier this year. " --A. Galloni, WA In summary, stunning wines from two of the top wineries in Montalcino. Very limited. Call now: 978-369-2545SPECIAL PRICING OFFER ENDS SAT. MAY 19.
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Arianna Occhipinti: Sicily's GenNext
 | | Arianna Occhipinti |
A "wine prodigy" from southwestern Sicily, Arianna Occhipinti now has 10 hectares in Vittoria to work her natural magic with native grapes Nero d'Avola and Frappato. While she surprised many with her early vintages, now higher expectations have been set, and Arianna is more than meeting them with these new releases.
2011 OCCHIPINTI SP68 Rosso $28 Named after Sicily's ancientwine road, this blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato is organically farmed, fermented with natural yeasts, aged in stainless, unfiltered. A classic wine, reinterpreted at the crossroads of a new generation embracing tradition. 2010 OCCHIPINTI Frappato $38 100% Frappato di Vittoria. Arianna puts her "all" into this wine. In her words, "I particularly love this wine because it's the synthesis of my Sicily, with a thousand faces. Sometimes difficult, sometimes rough and bloody, but always extremely elegant." Aged in large Slavonian oak botti for 14 months. In Occhipinti's Frappato, you don't encounter Sicily's heat, but its altitude, the purity of fruit, the stony soil, the maritime influence. | |
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Chateauneuf du Pape: Save 30%, drink now; Brilliant!
We jumped at the chance to snag these two Chateauneuf du Papes: excellent producers, good vintages aged and evolved for drinking enjoyment now, and we can offer them for 30% off! Call it brilliant or a no-brainer -- great values for fans of CdP.
2006 DOMAINE de MARCOUX Reg. $80; special $52 net Sisters Sophie and Catherine Armenier do a brilliant job running this estate in the northern sector of Chateauneuf. Every detail is immaculately tended to, starting with the biodynamically-farmed vineyards. "The stunning, d eep ruby/purple-hued 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits black fruits, licorice, incense, and hints of grilled meats and garrigue. The full-bodied, velvety textured, big, substantial 2006 is a top success for the vintage. Enjoy now or keep for another decade -- save 30%!
2004 DOM de la JANASSE Chateauneuf du Pape V.V. Reg. $100; special $67 net
Run by the Sabon family since 1972, Domaine Janasse is a highly respected and revered estate, with a loyal following for its finesse and complexity. "Fashioned from 80-year old Grenache vines and small  amounts of barrique-aged Syrah and Mourvedre, the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes boasts a saturated ruby/purple color along with with a beautiful nose of flowers, blueberries, black raspberries and cherries, this is intense, full-bodied wine with moderately high tannins and brilliant symmetry as well as purity. Year in and year out, this is certainly one of the dozen or so top wines of Chateauneuf du Pape, and 2004 is no exception. 93 pts." -Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
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2009 Hubert LIGNIER
Master of Morey St. Denis
 | | Hubert LIgnier |
With our great love and historical understanding of Barolo and Barbaresco, we like to think of Hubert Lignier as one of the last great masters of Traditional Burgundy, similar to the late great Bartolo Mascarello, or Bruno Giacosa, Hubert has worked his land decade after decade with a steadfast commitment to quality and traditional expression of vineyard through vine, that is quite simply unmistakable when take your first whiff of these startlingly authentic examples of ageless Burgundy. We have great admiration for people who know what needs to be done and are not looking externally for answers. Great wine is really a simple proposition: noble varietal, viticultural region uniquely suited for said varietal, in the hands of a true master.
2009 LIGNIER Pommard "Le Chanlins" (premiere vintage) $58.86 net
2009 LIGNIER Morey St. Denis $65.23 net
2009 LIGNIER Morey St. Denis "Clos Baulet" $107.30 net
SOLD OUT! 2009 LIGNIER Morey St. Denis "V.V." $143.52 net
2009 LIGNIER Nuits St. Georges 1er cru "Le Didier" (Hospice de Nuits) $130.05 net
SOLD OUT! 2009 LIGNIER Clos de la Roche Grand Cru $233.54 net (1.5L $518.92 net)
Call to inquire about availability. 978-369-2545.
Arrives next week.
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Tasting in Concord:
Pinot Grigio with Character?
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Re-thinking "white"
2009 RADIKON Pinot Grigio $40 (Slovenia)
Most people's idea of Pinot Grigio is a light, crisp, refreshing white wine from northern Italy having slightly more color than water.
Enter RADIKON: a radikal approach to Pinot Grigio. When the juice is left in contact with the skins during masceration, the wine accrues many of the same qualities as a red wine, including tannins, earthy tertiary aromas and flavors, and a distinctly deeper rose color -- in this case, think of a sunset just before dusk.
Radikon's 2009 Pinot Grigio $40 is a distinctive wine of undeniable character and unique personality, but is at the same time, compellingly delicious as well as versatile at the table. Try it and you'll never see pinot grigio the same way again.
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VINTAGES Belmont staffer achieves WSET Advanced Certificate
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Brian Carey, Sr. Wine Consulant, passes WSET Advanced Exam
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Congratulations to BRIAN CAREY, Senior Wine Consultant in the Belmont store! Brian recently passed the rigorous and comprehensive Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Advanced Exam, with Merit. Brian works in the Belmont store Fridays and Saturdays, and offers a wealth of professional knowledge and personal experience to address all of your wine needs. Stop in for a consultation! | | | | |
New: SPERI Ripasso
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New! 2009 SPERI Valpolicella Sup. Ripasso $25
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For fans of Ripasso --Valpolicella made with the lees of the dried Amarone grapes-- SPERI offers a beautiful example, complex and  nuanced with spices and more earthy, yet refined character.
"The 2009 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso impresses for its delineation and nuance. The Ripasso shows the more seductive side of Valpolicella. Dark cherries, flowers, leather and spices are some of the nuances that flesh out on the finish. This is a terrific showing from Speri. 90 pts." -- A. Galloni, WA
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Francois GAUNOUX Bourgogne Rouge
| '08 Francois Gaunoux Bourgogne Rouge $25
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A one-acre vineyard in Meursault bordering Puligny creates this fine, elegant Burgundy pinot noir with a generous bouquet and earthy, red cherry fruit. Claudine Gaunoux, daughter of Francois, is carrying on the family work of rigorous, traditional methods to create structured, age-worthy wines. |
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