2009 Barbaresco Riserva WINE TASTING:
FRI. MAY 30, 4-7pm, Belmont
SAT. MAY 31, 1-5pm, Concord
Last month, we finally had our first chance to taste the 2009 Produttori del Barbaresco Riservas in Verona. And wow! What a surprise! 
I was a little perplexed when director Aldo Vacca told me that they would bottle 2009 Riservas and not 2010, but when I got a chance to taste for myself, I could see that 2009 had bestowed something quite exceptional on the esteemed Barbaresco Cooperative. A supreme balance, equilibrium, perfectly ripe fruit, tannins, and silky, powdery minerality.
Now that the 2009s are here, please join us for this unique opportunity to taste the
2009 Barbaresco Riserva crus -- only at VINTAGES!
First of all, we want to say GRAZIE MILLE-- THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Without you -- our adventurous, tasteful and sophisticated customers -- we would not be able to offer our annual tasting of 
ALL NINE of the Produttori Barbaresco cru Riservas! So thank you for our ongoing partnership in wine, in Nebbiolo, and in Barbaresco. We greatly appreciate your continued support.
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 1970s and 1980s, very little surprises us regarding the amazing longevity and quality of these Barbarescos.
2009 Produttori del Barbaresco Riservas $65
TASTING SPECIAL: 20% off Riservas* = $52/bottle*
*May 30 & 31 only. Does not include "Rabaja.**
**Note: (As always, 2009 Rabaja is very limited and can only be purchased along with other crus. For every three bottles of 2009 Riservas, you may purchase one bottle of 2009 Rabaja net-priced at $65).
2009 Produttori del Barbaresco "Asili" $65; Special $52
A combination of perfect altitude, exposure, and soil type create the ideal conditions for the nebbiolo grape. Beautifully balanced wine, with intense and spicy fruit, relatively soft tannins, and a very elegant finish. Classic Barbaresco.
2009 Produttori del Barbaresco "Montefico" $65; Special $52
South-facing vineyard of calcareous limestone with sandy veins. Full, smoky and deep. Similar to Montestefano, but not as aggressive when young. Solid structure, intense minerality, dark red, spicy fruit, long finish.
2009 Produttori del Barbaresco "Montestefano" $65; Special $52
Deep, austere aromas of leather, tobacco, and truffle, wonderful complexity. A wine that rewards cellaring and a bit of patience. Absolutely, one of the finest examples of Nebbiolo in all of the Langhe. The "Barolo" of Barbaresco.
2009 Produttori del Barbaresco "Muncagota" $65; Special $52
With the same elevation as Rabaja and sheltered in a narrow, warm valley, Muncagota is characterized by extreme elegance and intensity of fruit with floral and mint notes. Full-bodied, with refined tannins and a long, elegant finish.
2009 Produttori del Barbaresco "Ovello" $65; Special $52
Ovello shows explosive fruit on the palate and firm tannins on the finish. These wines always bring a lot of joy, have a lot of vibrancy, and demand a lot of attention on the palate... like a youngster that never stops running, full of energy and life.
2009 Produttori del Barbaresco "Paje" $65; Special $52
Paje highlights the limestone-rich calcareous soil that produces a strong underpinning of silky, powdery minerality-- the hallmark of this historic Cru, first bottled by the Produttori in 1967
.
2009 Produttori del Barbaresco "Pora" $65; Special $52
Pora has magnificent exposure and sandy soils; supple fruit aromas evolve earlier with smoother character aristocratically austere with intense spicy notes, and smoother character and relatively soft tannins in the finish.
2009 Produttori del Barbaresco "Rio Sordo" $65; Special $52
A combination of perfect altitude, exposure, and soil type create the ideal conditions for the nebbiolo grape. Beautifully balanced wine, with intense and spicy fruit, relatively soft tannins, and a very long finish. Classic Barbaresco.
2009 Produttori del Barbaresco "Rabaja" $65 net*
*Note: As always, 2009 Rabaja is very limited and can only be purchased along with other 2009 crus. For every three bottles of 2009 Riservas purchased, you may purchase one bottle of 2009 Rabaja net-priced at $65.
One of the most historic vineyards in all of Barbaresco, with a heritage comparable to Cannubi in Barolo. Encompasses many of the hallmark traits that make Barbaresco such a compelling wine: deep and complex aromas, plush velvety fruit, a touch of the exotic, infinitely drinkable, yet able to age gracefully for years to come.
SPECIAL -- "MT RUSHMORE" 2009 CRU SAMPLER
Faced with too many choices? Experience the different "faces" of Barbaresco thru this sampler of four historic crus. 3 bottles of each wine below -- 20% OFF George
, Thos. & Ted; Abe is net $65 each.
Geo. Washington: MONSTEFANO- Powerful, strong, age-worthy
Thos. Jefferson: ASILI- Aristocratic, intellectual, refined
Theo. Roosevelt: OVELLO- Energy & explosive impact
Abe Lincoln: RABAJA- Distinctive, strong and enduring
"Mt. Rushmore" 2009 Cru Sampler Pak = $663.00
Special pricing on May 30 & 31 only. Shop in-stores, email or call 978-369-2545.
2009 RISERVAS are here! Mark your calendar for a special tasting of all nine Riservas. 
