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The Legend continues: GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo "Monfortino"
The first Barolo Monfortino was made in 1920, intended to be a long-aging, powerful Barolo. Roberto Conterno continues the family legacy, and is undeniably a brilliant winema ker. While Conterno follows "traditional" winemaking practices, he is an enlightened, forward-looking man of his time with an intellectual engagement in the world's great wines.
VINTAGES is honored be able to offer these magnificent wines to our customers. Following are reviews of these new Giacomo Conterno Barolo releases. 2005 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo Riserva "Monfortino" 96 pts. $450 ($405 case price)A rich, sens  ual tapestry of dark plums, cherries, smoke, incense, tar and licorice emerges from the 2005 Barolo Riserva Monfortino. Exotic, rich and layered, the 2005 boasts gorgeous depth and a sensual enveloping personality. Drink: 2028-2048. 96 pts." -- Wine Advocate 2008 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo "Cascina Francia" 95+ pts. $150 ($127.50 case price)  "The 2008 Barolo Cascina Francia possesses gorgeous inner perfume, layers of sublime fruit and fabulous overall balance. Plums, dark cherries and licorice are followed by darker notes of graphite and tar as the wine opens up in the glass. Drink: 2018-2048. 95+ pts." -- A. Galloni, Wine Advocate
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"Life is incomplete without Madeira"
 When was the last time you enjoyed a glass of Madeira? Can't remember? Or.. never? The time has come to rectify this vinous omission -- we're here to help. Madeira is another great wine of the world whose reputation has been sullied by ubiquitous cheap brands. If you're looking for an innovative gift, something special that is both ancient and cutting-edge, aged Madeira is just that.
VINTAGES is offering several ways to engage this legendary wine that has endured over centuries and is now on the brink of another day in the sun --
Madeira is back, and is better than ever! RARE WINE HISTORIC SERIES Affordable, authentic Madeiras that re-create the style and complexity of these enduring, legendary wines.
$50 each for 750ml -- available in stores this weekend! Charleston Sercial -- driest, complex; serve with meats, game, "boar" "A buttery caramel without the sugar" very complex, captivating.
Savannah Verdelho -- on the dry side, complex, with roast meats "orange zest and buttery shortbread with hints of ginger, milk chocolate, and almonds. Lightly sweet with zesty acidity to keep it fresh, the palate reveals notes of candied citrus, ginger, and spicy honey." Boston Bual -- a little sweeter, serve with roasted nuts, cheese, dessert"Hallmark of this wine is its otherworldly complexity, featuring cinnamon-clove spiciness with overtones of citrus peal and woodsmoke. There is just enough sweetness to excel as an after-dinner wine, but its long, dry finish also makes it work beautifully with food."
New York Malmsey -- sweetest, after dinner "Unfolds slowly in the glass, gradually revealing layers of depth and flavor. Coffee, toffee and date notes emerge, followed by earthy, almost truffley flavors. Powerful and assertive."
AGED, VINTAGE MADEIRAS Special Order -- call or email ASAP! VINTAGES is offering vintage Madeira from top producers -- these three below will be available in the store next week. The others are available by special order - click below for a complete list. Barbeito 1978 Sercial $150 94 pts. -- Wine Advocate (Driest) "There is a tautness and weightless quality to this Sercial, which boasts precise notes of bitter lemon, marmalade and quince mixed with chestnut and thyme on the focused finish. It is elegant and refined, a succinct expression of Sercial." --WA D'Oliveira 1988 Terrantez $100 93 pts. --Wine Advocate (off-dry) "There is a highly attractive creaminess as layers of roasted nuts, cloves and leather open up in the glass. This generous, sweet Terrantez offers outstanding length, with lingering notes of sweetness and acidity that intermingled on the, intensely satisfying finish." --WA Barbeito "Ricardo Freitas" Signature NV Malvasia 30 year Special Reserve $150 95 pts. Wine Advocate (richer, sweeter style) "a magical spicy entry that engulfs the senses: mandarin, white pepper, nutmeg, marmalade and ginger all vying for attention like naughty schoolchildren. It displays brilliant balance, is extremely powerful and yet there is a beguiling sense of weightlessness towards the taut finish that tempts you to take another sip. This is a brilliant expression of Malvasia. -WA "In 2012, I feel that Madeira is flirting with becoming fashionable again and might just be on the cusp of a comeback. Certainly there is a new generation that is more open-minded, more cognizant of its greatness. The question is: are you one of them? If not, then I hope you will be, because life is incomplete without Madeira." -- Neil Martin, Wine Advocate Click here for a complete list. | |
2008 BREZZA Barolo "One day people will figure it out" -- Wine Advocate
 | Enzo Brezza in Barolo
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GIACOMO BREZZA, Piemonte, EXCLUSIVE
"Brezza remains one of the best-kept secrets in traditionally-made Barolo. One day people will figure it out, but in the meantime, shrewd consumers would do well to pay attention to the best wines that emerge from this small cellar in the center of town." -- Wine Advocate (April 2012)
2011 BREZZA Langhe Freisa $19.99
"Freisa" ("fray-za") is a red grape local to the Piedmont region, often enjoyed with salumi, appetizers, pizza, and lighter pasta dishes. Brezza's Freisa offers cherry-plum fruit, and a hint of forest floor, with refreshing acidity and fine tannins.
2011 BREZZA Langhe Nebbiolo $19.99
Brezza's Nebbiolo has quickly become a customer favorite. Medium-bodied, with wild berries, notes of licorice, dried rose petals, and spice. Cool glass stopper!
2008 BREZZA Barolo DOCG $45;
Quintessential 2008 -- a beautifully pure and elegant Barolo! Cherry, licorice, forest floor, fine, spicy tannins.
2008 BREZZA Barolo "Bricco Sarmassa" 95 pts. $75 "A spectacular Barolo, still youthful, but showing its pedigree. We'll let Antonio Galloni describe it:
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"The 2008 Barolo Bricco Sarmassa is fabulous. It boasts gorgeous inner sweetness, cool minerality and fabulous perfume. Dark cherries, mint, flowers and spices wrap around the gorgeous, chiseled finish. The Bricco Sarmassa is one of the Barolo's most under-the-radar wines. Layers of fruit build to the long, vibrant finish. Enzo Brezza did a great job with his Bricco Saramassa in 2008. Drink: 2018-2033. 95 pts." --Wine Advocate
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EGLY-OURIET CHAMPAGNE
Luxury "Grower" Champagne
 | Francis Egly
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When it comes to bubbly, it's time to shake things up! Break out of the big house "Barcalounger" and choose a more shapely, structured, "grower" Champagne.
A signature producer for our store over the last ten years, EGLY-OURIET's star continues to rise. The market demand for this outstanding Grand Cru "grower" champagne increases every year, making it ever more rare and exceptional. We are thrilled to present the new releases of these Grand Cru champagnes from one of the premier independent wineries in the region. (If you have a moment, Eric Asimov talks about why you should try "grower" champagnes in his "On Point" interview this week on NPR -- see sidebar.)
Quantities are very limited, and we are filling orders as they come in.
As always, thank you for supporting the high-level of wines we strive to offer on a continual basis.
-- Eric Broege, Wine Director
EGLY-OURIET NV Brut "Les Vignes de Vrigny" $65
Single vineyard of 100% Pinot Meunier, aged 36 mos. on  the lees. Lush and vibrant fresh fruit, a powerful and richly fruited champagne. I always think of the flavor of biting into a fresh, crisp, tart green apple, like a Pippin, meant to be enjoyed in it's youth.
NV EGLY-OURIET Brut "Tradition" Grand Cru $80 The epitome of the Egly house style. Extended aging on the fine lees, pristine Grand Cru fruit (70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay) showing off the singular terroirs of Ambonnay and Bouzy. Delicious upon release but easily able to age for several years plus. The superior quality of this Champagne, for me, has always put it on a pedestal for NV Bruts. NV EGLY-OURIET Brut Rose' Grand Cru $110 1.5L $275 (SOLD OUT -- mags still avail.) My favorite rose' champagne, maybe my favorite champagne; it would be hard to think of a better "last bottle" of wine. The cut and laser-like precision, the complexity of fruit, strong mineral foundation, and vibrant 'Chablis-like' acidity make this a stellar compliment with food. Went beautifully with Eric Ripert's last four savory courses at Le Bernadin! 2002 EGLY-OURIET Millesime Grand Cru $185
To give you a sense of the extraordinary nature of this vintage brut, the 2002 Millesime Grand Cru was released one year after the 2003 vintage! Francis Egly knew there was something special about this 2002 vintage that requir ed prolonged elevage in order to realize its ultimate potential. This release had an additional two years of cellaring prior to disgorgement, resulting in nine years aging on the fine lees! This spectacular wine is a must-have for the champagne connoisseur. 1999 EGLY-OURIET Millesime Grand Cru 1.5L $400 Magnums of thirteen year old Grand Cru Champagne freshly released from the cellars of one of
the finest wineries in all of France?? to good to be true......maybe....but we don't have to ask why, we only have to feel lucky that we have the opportunity to possibly drink this amazing Champagne, with a debt of gratitude to Francis Egly for saving some for us. Available only in magnum format. |
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Barolo & Barbaresco
2008: A Thrilling Classic!
The 2008 vintage of Barolo and Barbaresco was a quintessentially "classic" growing season, creating wines of vibrancy, clarity, fine-grained tannins and best of all, "drinkability." Depth of flavor, brilliance of aromatic perfume, equilibrium between fruit, tannins and acidity, gives a wine a lightness on its feet without compromising the profound qualities that make wine so compelling.  | | Renato Vacca |
2008 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco DOCG $45 (1.5L $95 available also) Luckily for us, Renato's rising star status has done nothing but reaffirm his dedication and commitment to the highest standards of quality while maintaining his humble self-deprecating demeanor. "The 2008 Barbaresco comes across as quite elegant and Burgundian in this vintage. Sweet dark cherries, spices, mint and crushed flowers are some of the notes that take shape in the glass in this, bright, focused Barbaresco. The 2008 possesses terrific energy and polish from start to finish. 92 pts." -- Wine Advocate
2008 RINALDI Barolo Brunate-Le Coste 96 pts. $125 Every year I've been seeking the best wines, one  | |
Beppe Rinald
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highlight of being the merchant that I have become is the relationships and visits to see people like Giuseppe Rinaldi and his daughter Marta. Visiting their cellar is a combination of going back in time and being, at the same time, at the forefront or the cutting edge. Because the wines of Rinaldi are both relics of history and the epitome of the mastery of wine making, pristine examples of wine that achieve wine as a "work of art." And like all great art, whether we like something or not can be disputed, but whether something is great or not, cannot be. This is precisely why we love Rinaldi. 2008 ELIO GRASSO Barolo Ginestra 'Casa-Mate' 98+ pts. $85 Tasting Special $72.25  When something is impeccable, all we are left to do is marvel at how amazing a thing is. Like the perfect sunset over Nantucket Sound as opposed to an overcast day when the sunlight just falls below the cloud line producing an intense however brief spectacle before sinking into the ocean. Actually Grasso's Barolo Ginestra could be like that as well. | |
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2005 MUGA Gran Reserva Rioja $65
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SPECIAL: Free box of four Riedel Burgundy glasses with 6-pack purchase!
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2005 Muga "Prado Enea" Gran Reserva 95 pts. $65
"The 2005 MUGA Prado Enea Gran  Reserva spends 36 mos. in oak. It has an unashamedly opulent bouquet of primal, ripe, boysenberry, mulberry, dark chocolate and crushed violets that blossom with aeration. The palate is full-bodied with crisp acidity cutting through the pure blackberry and cassis fruit. It has wonderful focus and intensity. This is an outstanding Gran Reserva whose silky texture will instantly win you over. Drink 2013-2030+ 95 pts." -- Wine Advocate
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Already a fabulous wine at the price, and a great gift! Limited quantities -- order now! Remember, order a six-pack of 2005 Muga at $65 each, and receive FREE RIEDEL Burgundy/ Pinot Noir stemware (a $120 value!) | | |
MAGNUM SALE:
15% off Big Bottles!
| Celebrate in a BIG Way!
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Nothing like a LARGE FORMAT bottle to get the party started!
It's the Holidays! Be the one who rolls into the holiday party, magnum or three liter bottle in tow, and watch how all the attention in the room moves in your direction. The gratitude of your friends, family & neighbors will more than make up for the slight up-charge in cost that seems to come with all top quality "big" bottles.
To off-set this cost, VINTAGES is offering maximum case discount -- 15% -- on individual large bottles that cost $50 or more (thru Dec. 31 while supplies last). Cheers!
Click for a complete list!
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"How to Love Wine"
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Eric Asimov, NY Times wine critic, shares tips for the holidays
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From his new book -- available at VINTAGES! Among Eric's ideas: Going to a party? Why not bring a champagne, such as EGLY-OURIET. He also recommends Sicilian wines, such as Arianna Occhipinti. Want to drink well with less worry? Find a good wine store. (Hmmm...) For more from Eric Asimov, click below.
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DID YOU KNOW?
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VINTAGES' website
 There are a lot of "Vintages" on the internet, but don't be confused -- there's really only one that counts: www.VINTAGESONLINE.COM.
What will I find? Check out the Featured Wines at the bottom of the home page --
New Arrivals, Best Sellers, Seasonal, Specials.
FIND a previous email newsletter! Look on the upper right for NEWSLETTERS -- most emails (like this one), are saved in their original format, and it's easy to find what you're looking for. SEARCH our inventory through the search or the "Shop By" button. BUY A GIFT CARD! We'll mail it out right away, or hold for your recipient.BLOG has more information on certain wines and producers, incisive commentary on wine and even what's for dinner. PURCHASE WINE! Yes, you can buy wine right on the website and pay with a credit card or PayPal. Pick up in the store, or ship it. VINTAGES ships within Massachusetts and you can do it all from the comfort of your couch!
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