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Wine Tastings this Weekend
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Wine Tasting Belmont
"Italy North & South"  
from ADONNA Imports
FRI. APR 12, 4-7p 
SAT. APR 13, 2-5p

 

Join us in Belmont for a taste of four distinctively appealing wines -- two from northern Italy's Piedmont region, and two from Lazio in southern Italy. Tremendous character and value -- this is what wine is about! 

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WHITE 
2011 RICCI Terre del Timorasso $25

Timorasso is a white grape indigenous to the Colli Tortonesi region in Piedmont. Once in danger of extinction, Timorasso is enjoying a resurgence and why not? Who wouldn't enjoy its lush, tropical fruit, beautiful aromas, full-bodied, yet balanced with refreshing acidity?

2011 CINCINNATO "Castore" Lazio Bianco $10.99
The ancient, local Bellone grape grows in the volcanic soils in the hills outside of Rome. Fragrant, juicy with a beautiful dry, crisp finish. Summer, here we come!

RED
2009 RICCI Colli Tortonesi Rosso "San Martino" $19.99
Big, juicy blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera (the one with the white label). Easy-drinking, yet full-bodied. Perfectly delightful on its own.  But also perfect with roast chicken or pork.

2010 CINCINATTO "Polluce" Lazio Rosso $10.99

The featured grape, known as Nero Buono, grows in the hillside vineyards near Rome. Dark plummy fruit, with juicy cherry flavors, creates a soft and easy-drinking red -- amazing value.  

 

 

Don't miss these insanely drinkable wines -- perfect for sipping on the patio, even if you still need a scarf.    
  

 

CAPPELLANO: Barolo without numbers

CUT YOURSELF FREE! 

What would you do without scores?

Fall off a cliff?  Or soar free above the noise?  

 

Cappellano Augusto laughing

 

What if you could trust your own palate? (Or your own wine merchant?)

 

We know....it's just too crazy to contemplate.  

 

Many wine lovers are flummoxed when they find that an esteemed Italian producer is not reviewed, and that wines that cost $75-$120 have no scores. What does it mean? Is there something wrong with them? In the case of CAPPELLANO BAROLO, the "lack" of scores is a sign of respect for the wishes of Augusto's father, the late TEOBALDO CAPPELLANO. A revered figure in Barolo, Teobaldo was an unflagging advocate for authentic and natural winemaking traditions, and was opposed to critics' use of scores for wines, believing they were a cause of divisiveness among winemakers and led to market-driven winemaking. Your first sip of a Cappellano wine will make you a believer: these wines are gorgeous, and have a kind of mystical purity about them that make other wines seem clunky in comparison. Enjoyment, discovery, even revelation -- isn't that why we pursue  great wine?   

 

Cappellano Magic Barolo Box  

Enjoy the complete line-up of Cappellano wines at special net pricing! 

2011 Cappellano Dolcetto d'Alba $24.54 net

2008 Cappellano Barbera d'Alba "Gabutti" $27.73 net

2009 Cappellano Nebiolo d'Alba $31.66 net

2008 Cappellano Barolo Pie Rupestris $70.55 net

2008 Cappellano Barolo Pie Franco $120.38 net

 

Here's the mix: 6 Barolo +  

6 other wines 

 

2 btls Dolcetto

2 btls Barbera

2 btls Nebiolo

4 btls Barolo Rupestris

2 btls Barolo Pie Franco

TOTAL $690.82

 

These wines are incredibly limited -- don't wait. Wines will be in on the weekend.  

 

Pre-Arrival Offer:
PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO 2008

 

PdB 2007 5 btls
As most of you know, Produttori del Barbaresco, the legendary cooperative of Piedmont, claims a special place in our hearts, and on our shelves. Drawing on nebbiolo from nine of the top (cru) Barbaresco vineyards, and winemaking that hews closely to tradition and quality, the Produttori is tough to beat for pure expression of vineyard, variety (nebbiolo), and vintage characteristics. Under the direction of Aldo Vacca, the Produttori has continued to raise the bar for quality from vineyard to cellar with ongoing improvements to accommodate the reality that nearly every vintage since 1996 is rated superior to excellent! Given our long relationship with Aldo Vacca and our in-depth research unearthing bottles from the 1970's and 1980's, very little surprises us regarding the amazing longevity and quality of these Barbarescos. Wine Director Eric Broege tasted all nine 2008 Riserva crus from barrel in May 2011 with Aldo Vacca; they were definitely the best young Riservas the Produttori has ever made. A great start for this magnificent set of wines.

VINTAGES is offering all nine cru bottlings of the 2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Riservas. Scores are from Wine Advocate. Grazie!

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Riservas
Price: $65. Discounts: 12 or more bottles of 2008 cru 15% off ($55.25)*

(*Excludes Rabaja. 2008 Rabaja is very limited and can only be purchased along with other crus. For every three bottles of 2008 Riservas purchased, you may purchase one bottle of 2008 Rabaja net-priced at $65).

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco "Asili" 96 pts.

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco "Montestefano" 95+ pts.

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco "Montefico" 95 pts.

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco "Muncagota" 93 pts.

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco "Ovello" 95+ pts.

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco "Paje" 93 pts.

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco "Pora" 95 pts.

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco "Rio Sordo" 92 pts.

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco "Rabaja" 96+ 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. 

 

 

2009 ANTINORI Tignanello 94 pts. $104 Pre-Buy Special:
$79 ea for six bottle case!
Special Offer ends 4/15 
  

"The 2009 Tignanello is quite beautiful. Cedar, graphite, sweet herbs, licorice and leather add complexity to a core of highly expressive red fruits. The 2009 impresses for its energy, drive and focus. There is a silkiness and polish that is reminiscent of the 2004. Tignanello is 75% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Longtime winemaker Renzo Cotarella has done a fabulous job with the flagship Tignanello in 2009. 94 pts." --WA  

 

CALL by APRIL 15 with cc # to order at pre-buy price of $79 ea for six-bottle case. 978-369-2545 or 617-484-4560  


 

2008 ISOLE e OLENA Cepparello Reg. $70; Now $60!
Spring Special: 15% off six pack = $51/bottle! (thru April 30)

 

Isole Cepparello
This benchmark "Super Tuscan" is 100% Sangiovese aged in French oak barrels. A cooler growing season produced a finer, more high-toned and mineral-driven Cepparello, more classically Burgundian in style. Deliciously demonstrates the innate elegance of pure sangiovese from top vineyards in the right hands. (93 pts. WA)

 

In This Issue
Next Week: Eric's Report from Vinitaly
Eric Broege returns from Wine Fair in Verona
verona river
One thing that has become apparent during my most recent trip to Italy...that the portfolio of family wineries that we have selected to work with over the past 13 years are making, year in and year out, are some of the best wines of their respective regions. Also, in light of recent climate change, the importance of vintage in determining quality has greatly lessened in many wine regions. We have found that it is quite simple....for best results, buy wine from the best producers making great wine every year! (It's easy to find them at VINTAGES.)

Stay tuned for updates on the latest and greatest in vino Italiano!



More Sizzle from Sicily's Mt. Etna!
allegracore etnaIf we designed a hypothetical red wine,
it might taste like a blend of Barolo and Burgundy,
complex and compelling, with a dash of minerality, of course.
It would taste a lot like this Mt. Etna red called Allegracore
("happy heart"). And yes, it would make us very, very 
happy. 

2009 ROMEO del CASTELLO "Allegracore" Etna Rosso $30
Nerello Mascalese is the primary grape in this pretty fabulous red from Sicily's ancient, up-and-coming wine region (Mt. Etna).  Powerful, yet elegant fruit in a burgundian style, with a vein of strong minerality through the finish for even more interest. Another fascinating wine from the volcano!

2012 ROSE - hooray!
The first of many roses are arriving... spring is here!

Arriving today....
2012 BAGNOL Cassis Rose $28!

peyrassol rose
2012 COMMANDERIE de PEYRASSOL Cotes de Provence Rose $19.99
THE classic Provence Rose. A secret blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah sporting a pale watermelon color -- stock up now for warmer temps ahead!
2012 DOM. de FENOUILLET
Cotes du Ventoux Rose $15.99
rose glass Juicy blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Required summer patio sip.
Mark your Calendar:
Barbaresco Tasting
Fri. April 26 - Belmont
ALBINO ROCCA Barbaresco with Daniela Rocca April 26, 4-6:30p
Daniela's visit to VINTAGES in January was snowed out! We're thrilled that she is returning to Boston later this month to present albino rocca bottles her estate's wines at a special tasting on Friday, April 26.

These wines are amazing at every level. Please join us!



MATTHIASSON: Artisan wines of Napa Valley
Nature, craft & simplicity
matthiason trio
"One of the most interesting California producers is also one of the most unusual, and alas, microscopically small. It is
Matthiasson Family Vineyards. .. it's a family operation, set unexpectedly in the heart of Napa Valley."
  -- Eric Asimov, NY Times 

Inspired artisanal wines by top vineyard consultant, Steve Matthiasson
Steve's current clients include Araujo Estate, Spottswoode, Chappellet, Hall, David Arthur, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.

2011 MATTHIASSON Linda Vista Chardonnay $35 
This wine is 100% Chardonnay from the Linda Vista Vineyard behind house. Showing green and yellow apples, peaches, melon, and honey on the nose and through to the palate, the high acidity is balanced by pleasant fleshiness, finishing very clean with a hint of minerality. Refreshing and with moderate alcohol, this wine is all about pleasure.
850 cases produced.


2011 MATTHIASSON Napa Valley White $40
Inspired by an ideal of a mythical old world wine. An attempt to get to the core of an archetypal white wine, what it's all about. The 2011 version is a blend of 56% Sauvignon blanc, 20% Ribolla gialla, 18% Semillon, and 8%Tocai friulano. Lightness and richness, focus and complexity. 895 cases produced

  

  

2011 MATTHIASSON Napa Valley Red $80
Bordeaux-inspired red blend of 67% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet franc, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit verdot. Red and black cherries, dark chocolate, ripe blackberries, and notes of black tea and bay leaf.  Very juicy, with chocolate, dark fruit, and black tea on the finish.180 cases produced.

Extremely limited! Available in both stores while they last.
 
 
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FIND the wine you didn't know you were looking for....at VINTAGES.

VINTAGES store locations

53 Commonwealth Ave.
West Concord, MA 978-369-2545

32 Leonard Street
Belmont, MA 617-484-4560
 
shop www.vintagesonilne.com
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