 
Amarone, Amore Mio!
Introducing BERTANI Family Tenuta Santa Maria!
One of Italy's oldest wine families, the Bertani family has been working in viticulture for 400+ years. Bertani introduced modern winemaking to the Valpolicella region in the mid-1800's, and was the first to make the wine called "Amarone." It's quite a heritage. The 6th generation of Bertani continues this proud tradition of innovation, harnessing modern technology to create truly classic wines: "elegance over strength; complexity over density... because each wine should reflect its territory." -- Gaetano Bertani
Giovanni Bertani visited our shop last week and presented his stellar line-up -- we were VERY impressed, and very pleased to offer these delicious Amarone & Valpolicella wines to you!
2013 Tenuta SANTA MARIA Valpolicella Ripasso Sup. $30
Ripasso wines undergo a secondary fermentation over the Amarone grape skins, giving the wine greater richness, and intensity of flavor. Beautifully focused aromas of dark cherries and accents of cinnamon, spice and licorice. Velvety tannins and rich fruit on the long, salty finish.
2009 Tenuta SANTA MARIA Amarone Classico $95
Rich and elegant, beautifully complex flavors of preserved cherry fruit with notes of smoked meat and grilled herbs. Undoubtedly a big wine, the Amarone Classico offers tremendous freshness, wonderful balance and complexity, and is easy to drink. Much more versatile than heavier styles.
Their Amarone is made with select grapes, hand-harvested and dried on bamboo mats for 5 mos. The dried grapes are pressed, fermented, then aged in large oak casks for 3 years, plus 6-12 mos. in bottle before release.
2012 Tenuta SANTA MARIA Torre Pieve Chardonnay $30
100% Chardonnay, Veronese style! French barrique aging for half the blend results in a full-bodied, elegant chardonnay, with enticing buttered popcorn and hazelnut notes on the finish, balanced with freshness and acidity. Perfetto!
|
Discover BAROLO from BROVIA!
SPECIAL: 20% off Barolo Cru Discovery Case!
Four bottles of 3 different Brovia 2011 Barolo crus
(described below)
"Brovia remains one of the most impressive wineries in Piedmont... (yet) the wines remain less well-known than the quality would suggest. Brovia Barolos remain quite classic in style. The 2011's will give fans plenty to enjoy while the epic 2010's rest in the cellar." -- A. Galloni
2011 BROVIA Barolo Villero 93 pts. $85
" The 2011 Barolo Villero is one of the most
structured wines in the range. Orange peel, wild flowers, red stone fruits and spices flesh out on the creamy finish. It's always interesting to taste the Villero next to the Rocche, as the two sites are pretty close to the other, yet the wines are remarkably different. 93 pts." --Vinous  2011 BROVIA Barolo Ca'Mia 94 pts. $85 "Lavender, mint, sage, smoke, tobacco and plums are all laced together in the 2011 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca'Mia. A huge finish that brings together power and voluptuousness captures the pure radiance of the year. 94 pts." -- Vinous 2011 BROVIA Barolo Rocche di Castiglione 94 pts. $85
"The 2011 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is sweet, floral  and wonderfully expressive, all Brovia signatures. Silky tannins provide the backdrop as this sensual, polished Barolo shows off its class. Perfumed notes are woven throughout, but it is the wine's exceptional textural finesse that stands out most. Hints of hard candy, mint, cinnamon and succulent red cherries add the final shades of dimension. In 2011, the Rocche stands out for its total sense of class. 94 pts." -- Vinous
*Discovery Case 12 bottles = $816 total ($68/bottle)
|
Transcendent Rose!
2014 FRANCOIS COTAT Sancerre Rose $35
Why, you may ask, is there a new Rose offered at October's very end? I didn't plan on the unseasonably warm temperatures today, but then it doesn't matter. The Francois Cotat Sancerre Rose is simply a standout, offering perhaps the most compelling expression of Pinot Noir outside of Cote d'Or. Transcendent, beautiful fruit, driving minerality underlined by saline notes on the finish. Enjoy the gorgeous color, but don't let it limit when you enjoy Cotat Sancerre Rose. A wine of this caliber is rare at this price. If you're still reading, you know you have to try it, and you'll need at least six bottles once you start drinking it.
|
 |
HIPS SIPS: Howlin' Good Reds!
2013 COS
Nero di Lupo, Sicily
100% Nero d'Avola, biodynamically grown in Vittoria. Fruity, complex, and earthy, with wonderful dark cherry, volcanic minerality and spice notes, this Nero di Lupo has balance and finesse that will surprise you. $30
|
| |
|
|
|
2013 PUECH-HAUT
La Closerie du Pic
|
Syrah and Grenache blend. Generous cassis and black raspberry fruit with notes of pepper, smoked meats, violets and crushed rock. Full-bodied, beautifully pure, layered and elegant, yet rich and textured.
$30
|
| |
|
|
| |
Sale extended! 2010 BRUNELLOS now on Sale! 
End of vintage sale! Time is running out to get the last of these high-scoring Brunellos. This vaunted vintage is a must-have in every Toscana-phile's cellar.
HURRY -- Sale ends NOV. 7!
2010 SIRO PACENTI Brunello "Pellagrilli" 96 pts. $60;
Special $51
2010 VALDICAVA BRUNELLO di Montalcino 99 pts. JS $135;
Special $114.75
2010 CIACCI PICCOLOMINI BRUNELLO "Pianrosso" 98 pts. $70;
Special $59.50
2010 FOSSACOLLE BRUNELLO 97 pts. $75;
Special $63.75
2010 CANALICCHIO di SOPRA 98 pts. $90;
Special $76.50
2010 SAN FILIPPO BRUNELLO 97 pts. $60;
Special $51
2010 SAN FILIPPO BRUNELLO "Le Lucere" 98 pts. $70;
Special $63.75
2010 ALTESINO BRUNELLO 95 pts. $68;
Special $57.80
2010 ALTESINO BRUNELLO "Montosoli" 96 pts. $135;
Special $114.75
2010 GIANNI BRUNELLI Brunello 95 pts. $60;
Special $51
2010 AGOSTINA PIERI Brunello 95 pts. $50;
Special $42.50
2010 ARGIANO BRUNELLO 98 pts. $60;
Special $51
2010 LA PODERINA BRUNELLO 94 pts. $55;
Special $46.75
Visit www.vintagesonline.com/blog for more info!
BRUNELLO SALE ends Sat. Nov. 7. Both stores have a wide selection: stop in or call today!
|
Mighty Montefalco
2008 PAOLO BEA Sagrantino Montefalco "Pagliaro" $85
From the inimitable Paolo Bea in Umbria. Offers incredible intensity, flavors deeper than a bottomless gorge, and mighty tannins in its youth, yet will be richly rewarding with a little time. Paolo Bea followers will need a bit of patience for this muscular, structured Sagrantino to deliver its deeply glorious expression. Handcrafted, organic, only 1500 cases produced.
Highly recommended.
|
Austrian Gruners: Top Somms Go-to for the Table
How has Gruner Veltliner earned a place on many top restaurants' wine menu? It's tremendously versatile, offers great value, pairs well with most dishes, has distinctive character and wide appeal. When faced with a table of diners with different meals, it's a sure-fire way to enhance everyone's experience.
Gruners can offer orchard fruit or lime/citrus flavors, white pepper, and asian spice on an underlying stony, crystalline spine. Alpine purity, body & richness are among the wine's hallmarks. Your ever-ready companion, Gruner pairs well with even the most difficult vegetable sides such as asparagus and artichoke. Here are two favorite choices among our selection at VINTAGES:
2013 RUDI PICHLER Gruner Veltliner Federspiel $30
Ripe pear, tobacco and white pepper on the smoky nose. Juicy and  vibrant on the palate, with flavors of apple, grapefruit and wet stone. In his modern winery, Rudi Pichler insists he is not ruled by "modernist" practices: "It is much more important that you can feel the grape, and you can feel the soil. This is the most important thing to me." -- Rudi Pichler
2013 KNOLL Gruner Veltliner Federspiel $30 Asian pear with notes of clove, spice, honey. G lossy, generously juicy palate, with a stony undertone reverberating in the refreshingly sustained finish.
Knoll wines are easily recognized by their distinct label that depicts St. Urban, the patron saint of winemakers and vineyards. In addition to their estate, the family also runs a 400-year-old restaurant in the Wachau area.
More great choices: 2014 FRED LOIMER Gruner Kamptal $22 Lemon zest, grapefruit, and artichoke
2014 FRED LOIMER Gruner "Lois" $14.99 An appealing, snappy entry-level choice
When in doubt, GO-TO GRUNER!
|
Barbaresco Riserva!
2008 GIUSEPPE CORTESE Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva 95 pts. $100; $85/bottle in a 6-bottle wood case
Simply stated, the 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is one of the finest and most polished wines I have ever tasted at Cortese. Black cherries, plums, tar, incense and smoke are some of the many notes that take shape as this gorgeous wine literally blossoms right in front of my eyes. This is easily one of the best Cortese wines I have ever tasted. 95 pts."
-- Antonio Galloni
|
ITALY'S ICONIC WHITE
2012 EDOARDO VALENTINI Trebbiano d'Abruzzo $125
Valentini is one of Italy's cult producers, known to only a very few. VINTAGES is very pleased to offer this exceptional wine to our customers; since it's been out of the MA market for many years, our last offer was for the 2002 vintage, nearly a decade ago.
"Undoubtedly one of Italy's top dozen wine estates in terms of sheer quality, Valentini only produces 3 wines, all of which are proven to be especially age-worthy.
Run today by Francesco Paolo Valentini, the estate's Trebbiano d'Abruzzo may well be Italy's best white wine, and examples from the 1950's are still in fine form today." --Vinous
|
new arrival!
2012 MONTERVERTINE Montevertine $55 ($120 1.5L)
In every vintage, challenging or textbook, Martino Manetti at Montevertine delivers a gorgeous, pure sangiovese. "The 2012 Montevertine is the perfect choice ...lovely depth and freshness ... red cherry, plum, tobacco, wild flowers and mint open up in a soft Montevertine that should give up its charms relatively early." -- Vinous
|
For the Purist:
2014 MARCEL LAPIERRE Morgon $30
Dom. Marcel Lapierre, the legendary proponent of natural wine philosophy in Beaujolais, crafts wines that are pure and expressive of the estate's old gamay vines. Lapierre's Morgon is always a pure joy to drink, with the 100% unfiltered Gamay shining through with clarity and precision. 2014 is delicious now with fresh cherry, mineral, and floral notes. Experience beaujolais, naturally!
IMPORTED BY KERMIT LYNCH
|
Grower Champagne Special:
NV MARIE COURTIN Extra Brut "Resonance" $55
Save 20% on six-bottle case purchase = $44 ea
Carolyn and Eric's "house" champagne can now be your house  champagne.
This extra brut bubbly has earned place of pride on our table over the past several months. We are pleased to offer a special discount on 6 bottles so you can try it, too. 100% pinot noir, non-dose. "The NV Resonance is quite attractive. There is a lovely sense of energy and tension in the glass. White peach, savory herbs, crushed flowers and chalk all pulse with notable vibrancy." -- Vinous
Call 978-369-2545, ext 1 or 617-484-4560 to order.
|
2013 JEAN-MARC PILLOT Saint Romain Blanc "La Perriere" $40
Great value in village-level white Burgundy. "Chalky aromas of lemon ice and crushed stone. Juicy, supple and sweet, with a dominant flavor of lemon curd. Nicely silky and dense ... finishes smooth and persistent." -- Vinous
|
Now available in both stores!
2013 ALBINO ROCCA Nebbiolo d'Alba Reg. $30; Now $25!
Nebbiolo in name; Barbaresco in character: now at a new, lower price! Always a great value, this "baby Barbaresco" is a no-brainer at this price.
"Layered and expressive with dried flowers, tobacco and licorice, this nebbiolo is a stand-out for immediate enjoyment and great personality. Quite frankly, Rocca's Nebbiolo d'Alba compares favorably with a number of Barolos and Barbarescos." -- Vinous
|
 Astounding value in profound red
2013 DOM. TEMPIER Bandol Rouge $50
75% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 2% Carignan. Organic.
"Buckle up for another vintage of pure, raw, mighty Bandol. Tempier's rouge remains a classic representation of the appellation, with chewy tannins framing profound black fruit, along with notes of animal and baked earth that unabashedly contribute to its formidable complexity. The Mourvèdre grape, which comprises three-quarters of the blend, doesn't give a damn about what you think. Accordingly, serve this wine at a table where you eat with your hands and won't be chastised for cracking a dirty joke." -Anthony Lynch
IMPORTED BY KERMIT LYNCH
|
DISCOVER the
AMALFI COAST & CAMPANIA!
Marisa Cuomo & Luigi Maffini
Thanks to all who participated in these great tastings! VINTAGES is thrilled be the exclusive source for these wines in Massachusetts!
MARISA CUOMO Amalfi Coast 
2013 MARISA CUOMO "Fiorduva" Bianco $75
One of Italy's top five white wines. Made from
100-year-old vinesgrowing in limestone cliffs overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Fiorduva is a rare blend of Fenile, Ginestra and  Ripoli: three pre-phylloxera native grape varieties. Tangerine, ripe pear, balsamic nuances and gingery oak spices on the high-toned nose.
2011 MARISA CUOMO Ravello Rosso Ris. $50
Blend of 70% Piedirosso 30% Aglianico, hand-harvested and aged 12 months in new French oak. Blackberries, tobacco, licorice and spice notes on a beautifully structured mid-weight palate, with firm minerals and fine tannins on the elegant finish.
2011 MARISA CUOMO Furore Rosso Ris. $55
Blend of 50-50% Piedirosso and Aglianico, aged in new French oak for 12 mos. Redolent of dark fruit, blackberry, dried cherry and crushed black pepper. Finish persists for several minutes.
2014 MARISA CUOMO Furore Bianco $30
The signature white from the Furore vineyard is an unctuous blend of 60% Falanghina, 40% Biancholello. Inviting white flowers on the nose, ripe orchard fruit, underscored with powdery minerals. Pure power and class.
2014 MARISA CUOMO Ravello Bianco $30 
Blend of 60% Falanghina, 40% Biancholello. Ripe, tangy fruit with powdery minerals; as vibrant and sublime as a wave crashing on the rocks below.
2014 MARISA CUOMO Furore Rosso $30 Blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso. Wonderful spicebox and black pepper on the nose; elegant and juicy red berry fruit finishes with a nice little grip.
LUIGI MAFFINI: Paestum, Campania
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.
2014 MAFFINI Kratos Paestum Fiano $25 ($55 1.5L) 100% Fiano. Aromas of white peach and pear. Ripe orchard and tropical fruit: papaya, peach, apricot. Smooth and lush texture, yet perfectly balanced. Gorgeous!
2013 MAFFINI Pietraincatenata Fiano $35  Maffini hand-picks the Fiano grapes for this gorgeous, nuanced white. Silky, elegant white with notes of dried apricot, toasted almond, and exotic fruit. 2012 MAFFINI Kleos Paestum Aglianico $25 ($55 1.5L) 100% Aglianico. Beautiful silky, sweet tannins. Aromas of blackberry, licorice, herbs, tobacco. 2010 MAFFINI Cenito Paestum Aglianico $50 100% 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.
|
 |
|
