Upcoming Wine Tastings:
Oct. 24 & 25: Cantina del Pino-- Barbaresco Superstar
VINTAGES Adventures in wine
CONCORD 978-369-2545 + BELMONT 617-484-4560
www.vintagesonline.com
WINE TASTING: "CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco"
FRI 10/24, 4-7pm, Belmont store
SAT. 10/25, 2-5pm Concord store
WINE TASTING: Barbaresco Superstar CANTINA del PINO
FRI. OCT. 24, 4-7p Belmont; SAT. OCT. 25, 2-5p Concord
"CANTINA del PINO is now one of the established superstars of Barbaresco. Readers who do not yet know these wines owe it to themselves to check them out." -- A. Galloni, Vinous

 

To our adventurous customers:

Thanks to an early fascination with Nebbiolo, and a passionate and relentless promotion of the wines of Barbaresco, VINTAGES (with the help of its ever-adventurous customers) has made Concord, MA and its neighboring towns one of the highest per capita consumers of Barbaresco outside of the village of Barbaresco itself! Congratulations for understanding and appreciating the exceedingly high quality standards of Barbaresco's top producers, both famous and less known. Further, thanks to those who appreciate that Barbaresco and Barolo are two historic villages that have cultivated Nebbiolo grapes for centuries, and through their tireless efforts have made these wines into two of the most respected in the world. Finally, a "tip of the cap" to Renato and Adriano Vacca, the father-son duo at Cantina del Pino, for their humility, dedication, and a never-resting-on-your-laurels approach, which has enabled Cantina del Pino to reach the upper echelon of Barbaresco! And at the risk of stating the obvious, at $45-$60 dollar a bottle, Cantina del Pino Barbaresco may be producing some of the greatest values in age-worthy fine wines anywhere!

Thanks for your support! We couldn't do it without you!

-Eric Broege, wine director

 

WINES poured at the tastings Oct. 24 & 25: 

 

2012 CANTINA del PINO Dolcetto d'Alba $17.99; Special $15.29

"Red berries, sweet spices and licorice meld together in a juicy, AWE Barbaresco vineyards 1 fruit-driven Dolcetto." -- Vinous

 

2012 CANTINA del PINO Barbera d'Alba $30; special $25.50

"Beautifully dark, plush and resonant. Hints of spice, licorice and smoke add complexity to the dark red/black fruit in this deep, expressive Barbera." -- Vinous

 

2012 CANTINA del PINO Langhe Nebbiolo $25; Special $21.25

"Raspberry, strawberry, flowers, white pepper and mint emerge from the 2012 Langhe Nebbiolo. The 2012 is high-toned, intensely aromatic and energetic, with lovely underlying minerality and drive." -- Vinous

 

2010 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco 94 pts. $45; Special $38.25

"The 2010 Barbaresco is anything but a "base" Barbaresco says Renato Vacca. It is assembled from fruit sourced in Barbaresco   and Neive but grapes are specially selected to make this wine. It opens to a light garnet color and Burgundian aromas of small berries, blue flowers and light spice. There's a delicate touch of toasted pine nut at the back. Fruit from Nieve contributes more power, heft and color. Fruit from the Barbaresco renders a sense of elegance and finesse. These wines are not clarified or filtered. 94 pts." --WA

 

2010 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco Ovello 96 pts. $60; Special $51 "Showing great persistency and length, the 2010 Barbaresco Ovello is an extremely elegant and refined expression w cantina del pino label ith crushed flowers, forest fruit and strong mineral definition. The Ovello cru at 300m altitude, overlooks the Tanaro River valley where early morning fog banks appear and temperature shifts are very pronounced, thus helping aromatic development of the wine. The results are ethereal and finessed. 96 pts." -- WA

 

2010 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco Albesani 95 pts. $60; Special $51

 "The 2010 Barbaresco Albesani is rich, deep and powerful. Here the fruit is darker and richer than the Ovello. Spices, tar, leather and licorice are some of the notes that develop in the glass, adding considerable weight. Layers of fruit build to a finish that is at once huge yet weightless. Think Chambertin with the guts of Nebbiolo. Cantina del Pino's 2010 Albesani is shaping up to be one of the great wines of the vintage. 95 pts." -- Vinous 

 

"Cantina del Pino is now one of the established superstars of Barbaresco. Readers who do not yet know these wines owe it to themselves to check them out." -- A. Galloni

 

Affordable Burgundy in Red & White
Good Producers deliver the goods every vintage
 Burgundy doesn't come cheap; after all, it's still the gold standard for wine's ultimate expression. It's hallowed ground for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, varieties now planted around the globe. The key to great affordable Burgundy is simple -- stick with small, tried-and-true producers in less glamorous appellations.
Please join us for this tasting of red and white Burgundy from recent vintages 2009-2013. There's plenty of incredibly satisfying enjoyment for a (relatively) affordable price! We'll even go a step further:

blanc = chardonnay

2012 BITOUZET PRIEUR Bourgogne Blanc $30  

Meursault master Vincent Bitouzet blends a portion of his old-vine Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet parcels to create this very impressive "blanc." Outstanding! 

 

2013 VERGET St. Veran "Le Clos" $30 

VERGET is the negociant company of Jean-Marie Guffens, one of the hardest-working Belgians in Burgundy. Guffens has raised the bar for quality in the Maconnais, creating more affordable chardonnay for all of us.  

 

2009 ETIENNE DEFAIX Chablis VV $35 

Chardonnay from vines between 45 and 70 years old. A wine of exceptional concentration, this wine is always a true expression of the kimmeridgian soils that make Chablis so distinctive. Aged for thirty months before release, Defaix's old vines Chablis is richly dense with a classic bouquet and long mineral-infused finish.

 

rouge = pinot noir

2012 BITOUZET PRIEUR Bourgogne Rouge $30 

The Bitouzet family has worked their estate and bottled their wines in the Volnay region since the early 1800's. Made from 40-50 year old vines. "Fleshy, sensual and inviting. Crushed flowers, sweet spices and anise linger on the finish." -- Vinous

 

2012 PARIZE Givry Champs Nalot $30 

Perfect example of a small family producer in Burgundy making a great approachable pinot, soulful, with plenty of personality and character. After six generations, the Parize family farms their 9 hectares in Givry using organic practices, green harvesting, and manual harvesting.

 

2012 FRANCOIS RAQUILLET Mercurey VV $35 

"A notably ripe nose of black cherry, earth and a peppery character.... Excellent quality for a villages level Mercurey. Outstanding! Raquillet is one of the best hidden gems of the C�te Chalonnaise. His wines are first-rate and they sell for very reasonable prices. Do yourself and your pocketbook a favor and check them out." -- Burghound

 

2010 DOM. du MEIX FOULOT Mercurey 1er "Les Veleys" 92 pts. $45 (1.5L $95)

This is one of the most picturesque of Burgundian domaines: situated high on a hill overlooking all of Mercurey and the gently sloping vineyards of the estate. It's also one of the most important domaines in Mercurey, in terms both of size and excellence, that capture the full range of this under-appreciated appellation. "Brooding and intensely earthy nose of fresh, cool and elegant red pinot fruit aromas... This really coats the palate on the wonderfully persistent finale. Recommended. 92 pts. Outstanding!" -- Burghound

 

BUSSOLA: 2007 Amarone Vigneto Alto TB 96 pts
Big, bold, rich expression of Amarone aged to perfection

2007 TOMASSO BUSSOLA Amarone "Vigneto Alto" TB 96 pts. $200 (quantities limited) 

"Rich, ripe, bold, upfront, opulent, racy, dark chocolate and new leather -- any of those sound appealing to you or your loved one?
 "The Bussola family has been producing top-notch Amarone for decades. This flight of new releases, particularly the 2007 Amarones, is exceptional.
From a single vineyard cru, the Amarone  "Vigneto Alto" is only produced in the best years. The 2007 vintage shows balance and grace with pretty tertiary touches of leather and polished granite that give the wine increased focus. As you savor its long mouthfeel, you'll enjoy flavors of dark fruit, tar, cola, barbecue spice and smoke. There's enough heft and energy here to expect a decade or more of life. Drink 2014-2028. 96 pts." --WA

For big, bold, yet balanced and age-worthy Amarone, Tomasso Bussola is the ultimate. Call 978-369-2545 or email to reserve.
2010 VIETTI cru Barolos: "Stratospheric!"
Three top crus available: Brunate, Rocche & Lazzarito

"The 2010 Barolos will go down as some of the  

gVietti Luca with grapesreatest wines ever made at this historic property... Wine lovers will not want to miss Vietti's 2010s -- they are stratospheric." -- A. Galloni

 

We are thrilled for our friend Luca Currado on his "out of this world" success in 2010 -- His endless curiosity, energy and impetus to improve what is already outstanding have resulted in these stunning Barolos. Bravo!

 

*SPECIAL LIMITED OFFER: 2010 VIETTI BAROLO CRU MIXED SIX PACK, 2 of each wine $790.50 (15% OFF)* 

 

2010 VIETTI Barolo Rocche 99 pts $155

"A wine of exquisite beauty, the 2010 Barolo Rocche is pure silk  on the palate. The 2010 is incredibly dense, dark and powerful  for a young Rocche. With time in the glass, the Rocche opens up nicely, showing the full breadth of its potential and pedigree. Stunning in the glass and impeccable throughout, the 2010 Rocche is firing on all cylinders. Sweet rose petals, mint, spices and licorice are woven into the breathtaking, perfumed finish. 99 pts." -- Vinous

 

2010 VIETTI Barolo Brunate 97 pts $155

"Dark red fruit, iron, new leather and smoke all jump from the 2010 Barolo Brunate. A huge, dense, powerful Barolo, the vietti brunate2010 Brunate boasts stunning depth and sheer richness. At the same time, though, it is incredibly polished for such a big wine. The Brunate brings together the power of the Lazzarito, but with a greater sense of textural polish and finesse that is typical of the Rocche. In 2010, the Brunate is all about balance and harmony. 97 pts." - Vinous

 

2010 VIETTI Barolo Lazzarito 96 pts $155

The 2010 Barolo Lazzarito is impeccably polished, silky and refined, especially for a Serralunga Barolo. Mint, violets, black fruit, smoke and deep layers of spices are some of the mavietti lazzaritony notes that flesh out on the inviting, textured finish. Today, the Lazzarito is incredibly primary to the point of being raw and undeveloped, but it is explosive, bursting with energy and flat-out great. This is also the first recent vintage I can remember tasting where the French oak is more in line with the other single-vineyard Barolos. 96 pts." -- Vinous

 

 Very limited quantities. Call 978-369-2545 or 617-484-4560 or  email to reserve.

PELISSERO 2010 Barbaresco "Vanotu"
Unusually voluptuous, super-rich!
2010 PELISSERO Barbaresco "Vanotu" 95 pts. $110

"A beautifully, centered, polished wine the 2010 Barbaresco Vanotu impresses for its striking inner perfume and exceptional balance. In 2010, the Vanotu is impeccable and harmonious from the very first taste. Leather, licorice, mint and sweet spices resonate on the textured, inviting finish. The 2010 is unusually voluptuous for the year. 95 pts." -- A. Galloni

 

"Giorgio Pelissero has been on a roll over the last few years. Every wine that emerges from this cellar is now fabulous, which places Pelissero in the top echelon of Piedmont producers. Stylistically, the wines are super-rich and concentrated, but also impeccable in their balance. The 2010 Barbarescos are among the best wines I have ever tasted here." -- Vinous

 

Very limited quantities. Call 978-369-2545 or 617-484-4560 or email to reserve.

 

2010 Volnay from BITOUZET-PRIEURE
BITOUZET-PRIEURE VOLNAY DISCOVERY case 15% off!
SOLD OUT!

 

We had such a great response to our previous Vosne-Romanee Sampler, we are offering a newly-arrived 2010 VOLNAY case sampler -- 3 different reds, 4 bottles of each. Here is a great opportunity to experience Burgundy's geological nuances in the Volnay appellation, known for its silky, supple, pure, gracious, yet long-aging characteristics.

A committed classicist, Vincent Bitouzet makes structured, demanding, age-worthy, satisfying wines, both red and white, from the heart of the Cote de Beaune.  Based in Volnay, this domaine is a tried and true standard bearer for classic Burgundy: conscientious and sensitive work in the vineyards, patience and attention to detail in the cellar, and a commitment to producing wines of depth and, of critical importance, longevity. Organic viticulture, traditional Burgundian vinification, a great vintage, 1er cru -- and 15% off a mixed sampler! It just doesn't get any better!

   

2010 Dom. Bitouzet-Prieur Volnay 1er Cru "Taillepieds" 94 pts. $70; $59.50 net SOLD OUT!

2010 Dom. Bitouzet-Prieur Volnay 1er Cru "Caillerets" 92 pts. $85; $72.25 SOLD OUT!

 

2010 Dom. Bitouzet-Prieur Volnay 1er "Pitures" 93 pts. $70; $59.50  

"The 2010 Volnay Les Pitures boasts gorgeous textural depth and roundness in its dark red fruit. This is an especially soft, supple style of Volnay that is likely to be approachable relatively early. The old vines give the wine impressive depth and concentration, but there is also enough freshness to allow this to age for a number of years. 93 pts." -- WA

Call 978-369-2545 or email to reserve with credit card.
2012 CHATEAUNEUF du PAPE: Wow!
NEW! 2012 CHATEAUNEUF du PAPE!
Thanks to all who joined us for the tasting last week! The 2012s are are tasting great right out of the gate -- no cellaring needed! Don't wait-- quantities limited.

2012 CLOS des PAPES Chateauneuf du Pape 98 pts. $150

"The 2012 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape is stunning! Showing surprising depth and concentration in the vintage, with full-bodied richness and texture, perfumed, complex aromatics, fantastic mid-palates, and serious back-end structure. 98 pts."  -- WA 

 

2012 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Chateauneuf du Pape "La Cuvee du Papet" 95 pts. $75
"Up there with the creme de la creme of the vintage, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape La Cuvee du Papet is a gorgeous wine that possesses classical notes of ground pepper, cured meats, tobacco leaf and currant fruit. Medium to full-bodied and relatively approachable by this cuvee's standards, with beautiful purity of fruit and fine tannin, it should benefit from short-term cellaring and have an easy 12-15+ years of evolution. Drink 2015-2027. 95 pts." -- WA

2012 DOM. VIEUX DONJON Chateauneuf du Pape 94 pts. $70

"The 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape is a classic effort from this estate that could come from nowhere else than the south of  France. Garrigue, lavender, pepper, sweet donjon labelkirsch and blackberry-styled fruits...this is a medium to full-bodied, supple and nicely concentrated 2012... 94 pts." --WA 

 

2012 DOM. PIERRE USSEGLIO Chateauneuf du Pape 92 pts. $55

"Excellent, with a similar, fruit-loaded personality, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape displays abundant blackberry, red currant, licorice and toasted spice notes to go with a medium to full-bodied, pure and polished profile on the palate. Always approachable in its youth, it's a no-brainer purchase and will drink nicely for over a decade. Drink now-2024. 92 pts. -- WA

 

2012 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Chateauneuf du Pape 91 pts. $40

"The 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape is an impressive traditional cuvee that offers textbook black cherry, ground herbs, underbrush, leather, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. This medium-bodied, mid-weight effort is nicely balanced, with clean integrated acidity and fine tannin. It should have a decade or more of prime drinking. Drink 2015-2022. 91 pts." - WA  

 

 

New Arrivals for Fall: Rhone & Morgon
Syrah & Gamay are perfect partners for autumn meals

NORTHERN RHONE: 100% Syrah  

Truly a bargain price for this definitive expression of northern Rhone syrah from leading Cornas estate ALAIN VOGE.  

 

2012 ALAIN VOGE Cotes du Rhone "Les Peyrouses" $25 

"Already in bottle and made from 100% Syrah, the 2012 Cotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses is a fresh, lively and supple effort that gives up ample plum, black raspberry and mineral notes to go with surprising depth and richness on the palate. Showing outstanding length, this smoking value should be purchased by the case and consumed over the coming 4-5 years. 90 pts." --WA

 

MORGON of the Moment: "unfettered deliciousness" 

Do not deprive yourself of gorgeous gamay any longer, nor confuse it in any way with "nouveau." There are too many   profound and elegant reds being overlooked. Don't miss this one.

 

2012 JEAN FOILLARD Morgon Cote du Py 90 pts. $45

"The 2012 Morgon Cote du Py has an immediately seductive and engaging bouquet with fine definition: light wild strawberry and red currant scents

that are nicely focused. The palate is nicely balanced with supple tannins, nicely judged acidity and, as Jean himself describes it, an "honesty" that will give pleasure over the next 5 to 6 years. This is very fine.  Drink now-2020. 90 pts." --WA  

 

 

BREZZA 2010 Barolo Cannubi 94 pts.

2010 BREZZA Barolo Cannubi 94 pts. $60

"The 2010 Barolo Cannubi wraps around the palate with gorgeous depth and the pure silkiness that makes this vineyard in the town of Barolo so special. Crushed flowers, mint, sweet tobacco and dried cherries meld together in a supple, soft Barolo that should enjoy a long and broad drinking window. With time in the glass, the wine's structure becomes more apparent, showing what makes the best Cannubi Barolos so appealing; the combination of structure and elegance. 94 pts." -- A. Galloni, Vinous

 

Enzo Brezza continues to impress with his knockout wines from the heart of Barolo village. Available in both stores now! 

So Stop in, CALL 978-369-2545 or 617-484-4560, Or email. 

 

SAVE
20%
2009 Alessandria Barolo docg Reg. $45; now $36 net!
Good until Available stock only.
Please join us for the "Barbaresco Superstar" wine tastings Fri in Belmont and Sat. in Concord!

Eric, Carolyn, Lucy & Richard at VINTAGES

Concord 978-369-2545  Belmont 617-484-4560
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