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Introducing "BRUNA," iconic wine from the Riviera
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VINTAGES Adventures in wine
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This week's Wine Tastings:
Concord: MAFFINI, Campania Fri & Sat. 9/13-14
Belmont: CLOS CENTEILLES, Minervois Fri. & Sat. 9/13-14
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BRUNA: The long odyssey is over!
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The Italian Riviera's Greatest Wine comes to our Shores
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You could say it all began with BRUNA. On our very first buying trip to Italy, shortly after opening our shop, we arrived in the beautiful Ligurian town of Lerici, just south of the Cinque Terre. During our first few meals of exquisitely delicate
frutti di mare, we happily enjoyed briny local white wines made from Pigato, Vermentino, and Bosco. While several were very good, which estate was considered the best? According to the loca ls, the answer was always "Bruna," a wine not available in our market. Bruna became the "golden fleece" of Liguria, and along with other memorable wine encounters, sparked an unrelenting oddyssey to obtain the wines that we love the most. Last spring at a trade tasting, one of our favorite importers asked me to taste a Ligurian producer 's pigato and offer my assessment: while being solidly made, but altogether unexciting, I once again mentioned the wines of Bruna. As it turns out, they were available to be brought into MA. Lucky for us...and you.
white
2012 BRUNA Pigato "Le Russeghine" $25
Sets the standard for this little-known native grape. Channels the wild flowers, mediterranean scrub, hay, wild herbs and sea spray of this coastal paradise.
2011 BRUNA Pigato "U Baccan" $45 VINTAGES Exclusive
 Translates as "the boss" -- undisputed king of the Italian Riviera. Nose is very complex and elegant: sage, thyme, ripe stone fruits such as peaches and apricots, grapefruit skin, linden honey. Full-boded, sappy and unctuous with the power of crashing surf, an iconic wine of the region.
red
2012 BRUNA Rossese $22
Red. Ethereal. Intriguing. Chillable. While doing the hard work of tasting and assessing this wine, I realized that I actually want it all for myself. So if you want to buy some for yourself, I advise you to buy it now, before I take control of the remaining inventory.
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MAFFINI: Campania's best-kept secret
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The must-try of the season! Taste it this weekend.
FRI. SEPT. 13, 4:30-7p & SAT. SEPT 14, 2-5p in CONCORD
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 Join us in Concord this weekend -- we're opening the new editions of LUIGI MAFFINI reds and whites! These wines from Paestum in southern Italy are stunning in their simplicity. Luigi grows two grapes: FIANO for the whites, and AGLIANICO for the reds. Maffini works his magic to magnify the flavor, texture, character, and personality of these wines. All we have to do is pour! EXCLUSIVE.
whites
2012 MAFFINI Kratos Paestum Fiano $25
100% Fiano. Aromas of white peach and pear. Lively notes of green melon, papaya, and ripe apricot. Smooth and lush texture, yet perfectly balanced. Gorgeous!
2011 MAFFINI Pietraincatenata Paestum Fiano $35 Maffini hand-picks the Fiano grapes for this gorgeous, nuanced white. Half the wine is aged in barrique, then blended before refining in bottle. A very long name for a silky, elegant white with notes of dried apricot, toasted almond, and exotic fruit. Long, persistent finish.
2010 MAFFINI Pietraincatenata $75 1.5L -- Winner "Three Glasses" award!
reds
2011 MAFFINI Kleos Paestum Aglianico $25 ($55 1.5L)
100% Aglianico, aged 8 mos. in old barrels. Beautiful silky, sweet tannins. Aromas of blackberry, licorice, herbs, tobacco. Dense, sweet fruit, gorgeous silky finish.
2009 MAFFINI Cenito Paestum Aglianico $45
100% Aglianico, aged 18 mos. in new barrique, then two years in bottle. Scents of tobacco and cocoa introduce a spicy palate with notes of blackberries, coffee and preserved fruit. This awesome wine is best suited for pasta dishes with savory sauces, roasted or braised lamb, game, beef stew with wild mushrooms, and aged cheeses.
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Minervois Tasting Sept. 13-14 in Belmont featuring the wines of CLOS CENTEILLES
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FRI. SEPT. 13, 4-7pm & SAT. SEPT. 14, 2-5pm
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 CLOS CENTEILLES. These singular wines from the Languedoc have earned a devoted following over the years: few wines offer this much character and aging potential for the money. For decades, owner/winemaker Patricia Boyer-Domergue has been innovating for quality, restoring lost grapes and wines while building the reputation of the region. The wines of Clos Centeilles vividly express the importance of place and the future of tradition. Please join us! (Note: Patricia will not be at the tasting this weekend.) Tasting Special: 15% off!
2007 CLOS CENTEILLES $25 The flagship wine of the estate; the blend of Syrah, Grenache Noir and Mourvedre is traditional for the region; the profound elegance, depth, and complexity of character are not. 2011 "C de Centeilles" Blanc $22
A unique "heritage" wine created with long-lost grape varieties: Araignan blanc, Riveirenc gris, Riveirenc Blanc, Grenache gris. Complex, fleshy yet refreshing and beautifully balanced. 2008 "C de Centeilles" Rouge $17.99
The red counterpart to the heritage white, C de Centeilles Rouge is a blend of local nearly-forgotten grapes Piquepoul Noir, Riveirenc Noir, Morastel Noir a jus blanc, and Oeillade. (If it sounds like a mouthful, wait until you taste it!) 2007 Campagne de Centeilles $14.99
Made from a vineyard of 50-year-old Cinsault, a troublesome grape that in the right hands, yields a surprisingly age-worthy wine. Get to know what Cinsault can do. Special library magnum: 2001 Clos Centeilles 1.5L $70 (Tasting special 15% off)
How do these wines age? Come to the tasting on this weekend and find out! Also available: 1995 Clos Centeilles 1.5L $90 |
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Montepulciano & Montefalco: Essential Sips for Autumn
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Fattoria del Cerro & Colpetrone offer outstanding value!
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 We were so delighted with these enticing reds from Tuscany and Umbria that we couldn't wait to share them with you. Made with native grapes in traditional large barrels, these wines offer the aromas and flavors of central Italy at surprisingly affordable prices-- perfect with the flavors of fall!
Montepulciano, Tuscany
2011 FATTORIA del CERRO Chianti Colli Senesi $14.99Blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cannaiolo Nero. Wild herbal nose, lovely berry fruit, smooth finish. A winner! 2010 FATTORIA del CERRO Vino Nobile di Montepulciano $19.99 Blend of 90% Sangiovese with Mammolo and Colorino. Enticing spice, pepper and finely sculpted tannins on the finish. Montefalco, Umbria
2010 COLPETRONE Montefalco Rosso $19.99Blend of Sangiovese and Sagrantino with tangy bing cherry flavors; very juicy and inviting! 2008 COLPETRONE Montefalco Sagrantino $30100% Sagrantino. Deep flavors of plum, tobacco and mocha delivered with complexity, depth and power. Spicy tannins finish one of the best values in the region! |
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"Massifitti:" Suavia's Masterpiece
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Tessari Sisters finally achieve life-long dream
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 2010 SUAVIA Massifitti $35
We can't believe it! Finally: the long-awaited white wine from SUAVIA made from 100% Trebbiano di Soave, one of the ancient, noble examples of this much-maligned varietal. Often confused with other subpar clones in Italy, the Tessari sisters were deter
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Valentina, Meri and Alessandra Tessari
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mined to revive this nearly forgotten grape, and make a wine expressing its distinctive qualities. Massifitti is the culmination of a ten year project to identify and graft a vineyard of 100% Trebbiano di Soave. Great wine requires patience -- you can't simply brew it up. We're thrilled that the sisters achieved their life-long dream, and that the wine is finally available in the U.S. Revealing finely etched details of fragrant white fruits, silky texture, and powdery minerals, Massifitti projects the regal and refined qualities of this historic viticultural region, minutes from the ancient medieval and Roman city of Verona. A true taste of a revived heritage wine! |
The future of tradition in wine.
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