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Taking Sagrantino to new heights!

Fans of this legendary "fattoria" and its natural, non-interventionist, winemaking have long been captivated by the intensely pure, expressive, even mystical qualities of PAOLO BEA wines -- if they could only produce more Sagrantino! This year, their wish is granted, if only in a small way. Paolo Bea and his sons planted a new hilltop vineyard, "Cerrete," which is now the highest elevation for vines in Montefalco.  

NEW! 2007 PAOLO BEA Montefalco Sagrantino Secco "Cerrete" $125 The cooler and drier position of the "Cerrete" vineyard, located at the highest altitude in Montefalco, takes Sagrantino to new heights: explosive, wild intensity, and a powerful robust quality, combined with an unrestrained elegance and aroma that enchants the senses. This debut of Sagrantino "Cerrete" has much to express to the attentive, unhurried palate.

Fermentation begins naturally after a 45-day maceration, then the wine spends a year in steel tanks, before resting for 43 months in large oak barrels. Only 3933 bottles were produced.

2008 PAOLO BEA Montefalco Rosso Riserva "Pipparello" $70  The Pipparello vineyard is a hilltop site in Montefalco at 1300 feet above sea level. A blend of 60% Sangiovese, 25% Montepulciano and 15% Sagrantino, Pipparello exemplifies the incredible power and intensity of these wines:

2009 PAOLO BEA San Valentino Umbria Rosso $38

Blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Montepulciano from a 50+-year old vineyard in Montefalco at 1300 feet altitude. A great initiation to the rustic nobility of  Montefalco. This year's wine was aged for 11 months in stainless steel and an additional 32 months in large barrels.

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

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. The Sotto Castello will appeal most to those 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

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.   

NEW! 2013 LA TOSA Terrafiaba Gutturnio Frizzante $17.99 SPECIAL $15.29 (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. 

2013 LA TOSA Sorriso di Cielo Malvasia $25 SPECIAL $21.25 

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; SPECIAL $25.50 

"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. 

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