2010 LE SALETTE AMARONE CLASSICO $55

Le Salette's elegant Amarone Classico is an expression of purity offering deep, plush cherry fruit and supple tannins.  

"Ratti's 2010 Barolo Marcenasco is gorgeous. Dark red cherries, spices, new leather, menthol and tobacco are all laced together in the glass. The French oak is a bit evident at this stage, yet the weight, richness and body of the year comes through in spades. 92 pts." -- Vinous

"Caparzo is an historic property that is enjoying a resurgence. The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino Caparzo is a pretty, impeccably balanced wine to drink over the next decade or so. Sweet red berries, mint, tobacco, licorice and rose petals are woven into the attractive, layered finish. This is a strong showing from Caparzo. 90 pts." -- Vinous

Get the festivities off to a sparkling start: yes, bubbly! Festive, sparkling wines bring a smile even to the grinch and grump.

Our picks:

2013 LA TOSA Terrafiaba Gutturnio Frizzante $17.99

A red sparkling? Yes, berry-scented refreshment.

And two beautifully dry options from France:

2009 CHATEAU DE L'EPERONNIERE Crémant de Loire $22

2011 DOMAINE BECHTOLD Crémant d'Alsace "Methode Traditionelle" $25

TRADITION is a beautiful thing, done right. White wines in tall, skinny bottles such as Rieslings, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris from Germany & Alsace are always a great choice. Fantastic with food, lower in alcohol, crowd pleasers.Try these ultimate classics from Alsace:

ZIND-HUMBRECHT

2011 Pinot Blanc $19.99

2012 Pinot Gris $25

And ALBERT BOXLER: 

2012 Edelzwicker $28

2012 Pinot Blanc $30

And small-production Mosel German Riesling from PETER LAUER:

2013 PETER LAUER Riesling "Barrel X" $22

2013 PETER LAUER Riesling "Senior" $35

2013 PETER LAUER Riesling "Stirn" $50

Don't miss these seasonal northern Italian favorites:

2012 LA TOSA Riodeltordo Malvasia blend $14.99

2013 COLTERENZIO Pfefferer Dry Moscato $14.99

2012 LA TOSA Sorriso di Cielo Malvasia $25

2009 SAN FEREOLO Langhe Bianco (Riesling/Gewurz) $25

2012 LECHTHALER Riesling $14.99

And, these great whites from Campania & Sicily:

2013 LUIGI MAFFINI Kratos $25

2013 MARISA CUOMO Ravello $30

2013 TERRE NERE Mt. Etna Bianco $23

REDS:

Pinot Noir is the supreme tradition, and you simply can't go wrong with its many expressions: Burgundy, Oregon, California, and more. Cru Beaujolais from Gamay is a worthy new tradition, but nouveau is old (hat).  

Red Burgundy:

2012 FRANCOIS RAQUILLET Mercurey VV $35  

Black cherry, earth and a peppery character.  

2012 PARIZE Givry Champs Nalot $30

Perfume of wild berries, lovely soft fruit

2013 MARCEL LAPIERRE Morgon $30

Juicy, silky gamay that takes you all the way from canape to cranberry fluff

Finally, the ultimate Turkey-Friendly red winner is:

2013 ALESSANDRIA Verduno Pelaverga $22

Juicy berry fruit, spices, easy-drinking 

American-made, turkey-friendly:  

2010 EASTON Amador Zinfandel $19.99

2011 EASTON Amador Pinot Noir $30

2011 EASTON Cabernet Franc $25  

SEAN THACKREY "Pleiades" $38 

2012 EVESHAM WOOD Pinot Noir $25  

2011 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN Zinfandel $40

simply awesome old-school zin  

2008 CA'VIOLA Barolo "Sottocastello di Novello" $70; 25% off six-pack special! $52.50/bottle! Free wood box! 

Named for the majestic castle that towers over the 2ha vineyard. "Layers of dark, explosive fruit burst from the glass as this intense Barolo shows off its personality. Mocha, spices, menthol and blue/black fruit wrap around the insistent finish. The Sotto Castello is super-concentrated and extracted, but at the same time, the tannins are remarkably polished, something that is exceedingly rare in wines made in this style. The Sotto Castello will appeal most to readers who like powerful, fruit-driven, structured Barolos. 93 pts." -- Vinous

2010 CA'VIOLA Barbera Bric du Luv $40   

"Rich, resonant wine endowed with considerable depth in its fruit. Juicy dark raspberries, spices, French oak, new leather and tobacco take shape in the glass as the old-vine Bric du Luv shows off its considerable weight and power." --Vinous  

2011 CA'VIOLA Dolcetto d'Alba Barturot $25 "Plum, blackberry, smoke, licorice and new leather jump from the glass... The 50 year-old vines and low yields result in a rich, powerful Dolcetto with plenty of complexity." -- Vinous 

2011 CA'VIOLA Barbera Brichet Barbera $25

"Flows across the palate with black cherry, plum, mocha, spices and licorice. Expressive fruit is super-intense and dark." -- Vinous

2012 CA'VIOLA Dolcetto d'Alba Vilot $17.99 "Compelling mélange of blackberry jam, licorice, spices and violets. A rich, explosive wine, the 2012 Vilot captures the essence of Dolcetto. A beautiful, generous wine..." -- Vinous

Enzo Brezza's wine-making style epitomizes Barolo's frequent comparison to Burgundy. Finely textured, elegantly structured, pale ruby colored, seamless and long. A gentle extraction at pressing allows Nebbiolo's rose petal aromas and delicate red berry flavors to emerge, permitting the noble varietal to fully express the nature of these hallowed vineyards.

2010 BREZZA BAROLO Sarmassa 95 pts. $70 Exclusive. 

"Dark cherries, pine, menthol, licorice, smoke and underbrush all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Sarmassa. The darkest and most imposing of the Brezza Barolos, the Sarmassa is backed up by firm tannins that ensure the wine will drink well for a number of years. This is a deep and deeply satisfying Barolo from Enzo Brezza. In 2010, Brezza did not produce his top Barolo, Bricco Sarmassa. All the best fruit went into the straight Sarmassa. 95 pts." --Vinous 

2010 BREZZA BAROLO Cannubi 94 pts. $60 Exclusive. 

"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. 94 pts." -- Vinous  

2010 BREZZA BAROLO docg $40  Exclusive. 

"Super-classic profile of dried rose petal, anise, mint, coffee, sweet herbs and dried cherries. A gracious, mid-weight Barolo, the 2010 stands out for its soft, approachable personality and impeccable sense of balance." --Vinous  

2013 BREZZA Langhe Nebbiolo $19.99 Exclusive. Don't be misled by the pale color; this is a surprisingly hefty wine as it evolves in the glass. Very fresh style, super fine tannins. 

2011 BREZZA BARBERA d'Alba Superiore $30 Exclusive. 

From vines grown in Barolo village, aged 1 year in barrel. Very pretty, smooth texture; flavors of strawberries, blackberries, attractively brambly and sappy fruit.   

2012 BREZZA BARBERA d'Alba Santa Rosalia $19.99  Exclusive.

Great purity of fruit, like a textbook showcase for a fresh Barbera. Very beautiful wild berry fruit.  

LA TOSA: Our featured Thanksgiving Producer EXCLUSIVE!

LA TOSA has been one of our featured wineries for 15 years, an estate that is near and dear to our wine-soaked hearts. Located in Emilia-Romagna, Italy's bread basket and gastronomic center, La Tosa dwells under the outsized wine shadow of neighboring Tuscany. Why do we love La Tosa? It's simple -- there's no other winery that reveals the essence of a grape variety in such a pure, focused, primary manner -- bursting with flavor, yet perfectly balanced.

Stefano Pizzamiglio of LA TOSA continually innovates in pursuit of wine perfection -- achieving precise aromas and purity of fruit.  

NEW! 2013 LA TOSA Terrafiaba Gutturnio Frizzante $17.99 (Red)

Sparkling blend of Bonarda and Barbera. Lovely nose of strawberry blossom, pure wild berry flavors and freshness. Delightful discovery in red sparkling. Perfect aperitif or with cheese, salumi, or pizza. 

2012 LA TOSA Sauvignon $25

Opens with classic sauvignon blanc nose, then turns on the power. Fresh, rich, crisp gorgeous fruit. Racy, thrilling, bracing gooseberries with nice, big fruit. Wow!

2013 LA TOSA Sorriso di Cielo Malvasia $25

Beautiful, precise aromas of honeysuckle and peach followed by crystalline notes of lychee, quince, clementine. Silky texture, luscious mouthfeel, dry finish. Incredible concentration of fruit, yet perfectly balanced. Absolutely stunning!

2012 LA TOSA Vignamorello Gutturnio $30

"Gutturnio" is a traditional blend of Bonarda and Barbera. Aged six months in seasoned oak barrels. Deep, violet color, super-soft, velvety texture, beautiful, sweet tannins; full-bodied, dark plummy fruit highlighted with spices. Bravo! Perennial "5 Grapes" sommelier winner in Italy. 

2011 LA TOSA Lunaselvatica Cabernet Sauvignon $40

A truly classic cabernet: power, elegance and structure. Deeply colored, gorgeous fruit on the nose, soft texture with big, juicy tannins and deep blueberry fruit. Pure power and beauty in this incredible Cabernet Sauvignon. Stupendous!

E. PIRA 2010 BAROLO (CHIARA BOSCHIS)   

$105 each; or $89.25 each in mixed six pack 

"Pira has undergone one of the most amazing transformations I have ever seen in Piedmont." -- A. Galloni 

2010 E. PIRA Barolo Cannubi 94-V $105 ($89.25 in sampler)

 "The 2010 Barolo Cannubi is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Freshly cut flowers, mint, spices, new leather and violets all waft from the glass in a refined, impeccable Barolo loaded with class. The 2010 is all about delicacy, finesse and elegance. Sweet, floral and impeccable in its balance, the 2010 is striking from start to finish. This is pure sensuality. 94 pts." -- Vinous  

2010 Barolo Mosconi 95-V $105 ($89.25 in sampler)

'The 2010 Barolo Mosconi, the estate's first wine from this south-facing site in Monforte, is showing beautifully. In this cold, late-ripening vintage, the south exposition and richness typical of this site give the Mosconi a level of mid-palate pliancy and

Chiara Boschis of E. Pira at VINTAGES

richness the other 2010 Barolos don't have. 95 pts." -- Vinous

2010 E. PIRA Barolo Via Nuova 96-V $105 ($89.25 in sampler)

"The 2010 Barolo Via Nuova opens with exquisite inner perfume and sweetness. Crushed rose petals, mint, pine, licorice and sweet red berries all lift out of the glass in a fragrant, aromatically expressive Barolo of the highest level. The 2010 has it all; perfume, fruit, intense, crystalline salinity and bracing, chalky, young Nebbiolo tannins that will help the wine age gracefully for years. It is one of the wines of the vintage. 96 pts." -- Vinous

"Without a doubt, 2010 will be recorded as one of the great Barolo vintages of the past decades." -- WA  

Call 978-369-2545 or email to reserve your 2010 Barolo! 

2010 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco Ovello 96 pts. $60

2010 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco Albesani 95 pts. $60

 "The 2010 Barbaresco Albesani is rich, deep and powerful.  Spices, tar, leather and licorice are some of the notes that develop in the glass. 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

2010 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco 94 pts. $45

"The 2010 Barbaresco is anything but a "base" Barbaresco. It is assembled from fruit sourced in Barbaresco and Neive but grapes are specially selected to make this wine. Power and heft, ... elegance and finesse. 94 pts." --WA

2012 CANTINA del PINO Barbera d'Alba $30

"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

Ferdinando Principiano makes this Barolo from 3.5 ha of carefully tended younger nebbiolo vines in Serralunga d'Alba. After crush, grapes are fermented with naturally-occurring yeasts and no added sulfur. Aged 24 mos. in large barrel before bottling.

Dark cherries, dried rose petal and licorice meld into a juicy  supple, style with open finish. "The bouquet is brimming with life and vitality. The intensity is nothing short of surprising. Silky nuances of licorice and rose petal complete a very pretty picture. This is a beautiful wine. 94 pts." --WA

"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