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Barbaresco Tasting
Fri. April 26, Belmont
| ALBINO ROCCA Barbaresco Tasting
with Daniela Rocca on
Friday, April 26, 4-6:30p
(Wines in Concord Sat. 1-5p)
We are pleased to (finally) welcome
DANIELA ROCCA from the Albino Rocca winery in Barbaresco, Italy. As Barbaresco fans will recall, Daniela was marooned  in Boston during the massive February blizzard that shut down roads and flights. Now it's (finally) spring and Daniela has graciously returned to Boston and VINTAGES Belmont store this Friday. As Boston bravely returns to normalcy, Daniela's family estate is also finding its way forward after the tragic loss late last year of her father and winemaker, Angelo Rocca.
Please join Daniela Rocca as she presents her family's wines at VINTAGES Belmont. (Wines available to taste on Saturday 4/27 in Concord.)
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Albino Rocca Barbaresco: 2011 Dolcetto d'Alba "Vignalunga" $14.99 
Pretty floral notes enhance the dark, bold fruit of this favorite quaffer.
2011 Barbera d'Alba $17.99
"2011 Barbera d'Alba impresses for its bold, exuberant fruit. Expressive floral notes add complexity to this unoaked, totally harmonious Barbera." --WA
2010 Nebbiolo d'Alba $30
Fresh and lively style of nebbiolo with sweet red berries, crushed flowers and spices. Perfect spring red.
2009 Barbaresco duemilanove" $45
Succulent red fruit, immediately appealing style that emphasizes soft fruit and sweet, juicy tannins.
2009 Barbaresco "Ronchi" $60
Dark cherries, flowers, spices and crushed rock come together nicely. The Ronchi offers great texture, impressive depth of flavor and unmistakable power combined with a sense of energy that is hugely appealing.
2008 Barbaresco "Ovello" vigneto Loreto $65
"Sweet dark cherries, plums, licorice and tobacco wrap around the plush, creamy finish. This is a gorgeous, striking wine from Angelo Rocca." -- WA
These classic Piedmontese wines are amazing at every level. Please join us!
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JUST ARRIVED!
CLOS MOGADOR:
Ancient history in the bottle
2010 CLOS MOGADOR Priorat $95 96 pts. (Priorat, Spain)
Why does it always seem that all of the greatest  regions for wine production in the world were originally cultivated by the Romans and then later, more meticulously organized by Christian Monks? It is also amazing to think of the importance that wine had as a revered, natural, agricultural product that brought pleasure to an otherwise grinding, inhospitable world, that after brutally battling another nation, vineyards were planted in what turns out to be some of the single greatest sites in the world for growing vitis vinifera, noble grape varietals for making wine.
Priorat, in the Catalonia region of Spain, is one of those privileged places on earth where all things come together to allow the creation of singular, world class wine. Geology: primarily
slate (llicorella). Climate: warm and arid. Grape varieties planted: Grenache and Carignan, both perfectly suited for cultivation in these circumstances. And lastly the dedicated vigneron, in this case Rene Barbier of Clos Mogador who almost 25 years ago, single-handedly brought Priorat onto the world stage, and inspired a  new generation of aspiring winemakers by creating wines of great depth, richness and complexity. "Wonderful purity, dark cherries, crushed stone, slate and touches of thyme and white pepper towards the finish, which has immense precision and focus. This is going to be a razor-sharp Clos Mogador - do not wait to place your order! 96 pts." --Wine Advocate | |
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VERGET Chablis: the Charm of 2009
 | Jean-Marie Guffens, VERGET
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Chablis, my desert island (white) wine.
Why Chablis? The first part is obvious......because you would be foraging for clams, oysters, periwinkles, and other tidal pool critters......if you were lucky even some sea urchins! And everyone knows that for seafood from oysters and lobster to clam chowder, there's is simply no rival to Chablis for optimal pairing with "Frutti di Mare".......(Okay, a great bottle of grower champagne would also work fine.) The second is more subtle but no less important, Chablis being the most northern appellation of Burgundy, it produces Chardonnay with bristling "natural" acidity and due to the fossilized oceanic rock that is the base for vines to grow ...you guessed it, a saline, mineral character that enhances the ocean's bounty. My third reason for Chablis' choice for my desert island white: refreshment and drinkability! You can have greatness in wine, profundity in wine, a mind changing, life changing experience in wine, but without drinkability you have nothing. Period. A wine can be rated 150 points but if it is as thick as mud, and woodier than a New Hampshire forest, than there will be no pleasure to be had and wine is all about pleasure! Ideally, a great wine offers you layer upon layer of nuance and intrigue if you'd like, but at the very least it offers pure drinking pleasure.
The 2009 vintage was a beauty for Chablis! VINTAGES Eric Broege ordered these selections after tasting with Jean-Marie at his cellar in Burgundy. VERGET cellar. These gorgeous wines have many years of enjoyment ahead of them!
2009 Chablis "Montee de Tonnerre" 1er cru $55
"Classic Chablis nose of oyster shell, citrus peel and spicy floral aromas gives way to rich and full-bodied yet sophisticated flavors that exude dry extract, which confers a silky mouth feel on the superbly intense and lingering finish that is drier than most '09s. Definitely worth considering. Sweet spot outstanding! 93 pts." -- Burghound
2009 Chablis "Bougros" Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru $95 94 pts.
 "A ripe nose merges into textured, intense and notably concentrated big-bodied flavors that possess ample minerality and excellent verve on the tension-filled and very serious finish. This is a fine example of the appellation. 94 pts. Don't Miss!" -- Burghound
2009 Chablis "Blanchots" Grand Cru $95
"Pretty floral and primarily citrus fruit aromas that are in keeping with the lemon-suffused, rich and relatively amply-sized flavors that culminate in a strikingly long, dry and crisp finish brimming with Chablis character. Don't miss! 94 pts." --Burghound
2009 Chablis "Vaudesir" Grand Cru $105
"A ripe yet ele gant and admirably pure nose of green fruit, Granny Smith apple and tidal pool aromas marries into big and rich yet beautifully detailed flavors that brim with dry extract on the powerful and almost painfully intense finish that goes on and on. Impressive." 94 pts. "Don't Miss" --Burghound
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Jacques Puffeney, Jura--Part 2: For the adventurer in all of us
 | Capt. Jacques Puffeney
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We've all seen the commercials for Captain Morgan's rum --
the swashbuckling pirate at a stuffy formal party grabs the beautiful young woman, and whisks her away into a hedonistic after-party where the pleasure-seeking couple are immediately surrounded by other like-minded rebels of culture and gastronomy. They really know how to take life to its dangerously edgy extreme...while they all choke down the cloyingly sweet, artificially-flavored, mass-produced commercial beverage.
It would be much more appropriate to find our hero and heroine at the orgy-like party swilling down bottles of JACQUES PUFFENEY Arbois Poulsard, Trousseau, or Pinot Noir! Something truly edgy, irreverent, and dangerous!
What might the neighbors think?
Jacques Puffeney, Arbois
Reds that Rock
2011 PUFFENEY Poulsard $30
 pale red, intensely mineral character with fine tannins
2011 PUFFENEY Trousseau $35
Brambly, ripe raspberries, notes of new leather, black pepper and tea
2011 PUFFENEY Pinot Noir $35
Juicy plum and cherry fruit; fennel and black pepper
Coming next week: JURA "VIN JAUNE"
2005 PUFFENEY Vin Jaune $80
Vin Jaune: 100% Savagnin aged a minimum of six years "sous voile" in a warmer, attic-like environment
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CAPPELLANO: Barolo without numbers
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?
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, high-quality 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?
Wines of Cappellano
Price/Discounted case price
2011 Cappellano Dolcetto d'Alba $30/ $25.50
2008 Cappellano Barbera d'Alba "Gabutti" $35/$29.75
2009 Cappellano Nebiolo d'Alba $40/$34
2008 Cappellano Barolo Pie Rupestris $85/$72.25
2008 Cappellano Barolo Pie Franco $145/$123.25
Cappellano Chinato 750ml $78 or 500ml $58
May we suggest...
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
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PIBARBON BANDOL: Aged to Perfection
1990 CHATEAU de PIBARNON Bandol Rouge $198 -- Library Release ($168 with mixed case discount)
BANDOL is one of those mystical magnetic wines  that never fail to fascinate, and sadly, are almost always drunk too young. Finally, we are pleased to offer this special opportunity -- a top Bandol Rouge gracefully aged to perfection in its own native cellar environment! Just arrived... the
1990 Chateau de Pibarnon Bandol Rouge, $198 ($168 with case discount).
This 1990 Pibarnon received rave reviews even in its infancy: "This is one of the finest young Bandol reds I have tasted. The color is saturated dark ruby/purple, and the nose offers up intense aromas of cassis, olives, and spicy new oak. In the mouth, there is extravagant richness, as well as layer upon layer of fruit, good structure, and a whoppingly long, extremely well-delineated finish. This magnificent Bandol should age effortlessly..." -- Robert Parker, WA
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A Rose in bloom!
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2012 Roses are just arriving in stores!
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2012 Domaine Fenouillet Ventoux Rose $15.99
Juicy blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Required sip on every summer patio.
2012 Commanderie du Peyrassol Cotes de Provence Rose $19.99
 Chateau Peyrassol makes THE classic Provence rose -- pale, watermelon pink color, lovely fruit blossom aroma with a crisp, dry finish. Organically-farmed blend of grenache, cinsault, and syrah creates this memorable rose that is lively, fresh and full. The lingering stony note is the mark of its sheer class and elegance. Enjoy!
2012 Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose $28
Transport yourself to the Cote d'Azur by simply pulling th e cork on this tremendous Provencal rose! Delicious red berry fruit, nice fleshy texture, juicy citrus on the lingering finish. Another pure delight made in tiny amounts!
2011 Francois Cotat Sancerre Rose Pinot Noir $35
"Sour cherry, red currant, and herbs in the nose segue onto a palate unusually rich and creamy. Its prominent fruit and strikingly umami-rich character should help guarantee that it proves fascinating at table over the next half dozen or so years. " --WA
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More Sizzle from Sicily's Mt. Etna!
|  If 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.
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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! |
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| MATTHIASSON: Artisan wines of Napa Valley | Nature, craft & simplicity
"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."
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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