SALE Price: $8.99 net
SAVE 25% on a single bottle
Over the last couple of years, we've sold cases upon cases of numerous wines from the wonderful and 2009 Bordeaux vintage. In a near perfect growing season like 2009, we've found so many great values for less money then a gourmet cheeseburger.
As we near 2013, quantities of the 2009 Bordeaux are starting to thin out. But we just loaded up on one of these killer values from what is hailed as one of the best vintages ever in Bordeaux. Critic Robert Parker said,
“It (2009) may turn out to be the finest vintage I have tasted in 32 years of covering Bordeaux.”
Located
on the banks of the Dordogne, Château Tour de Luchey houses a
remarkable medieval tower. It was used for centuries by the "Luchey",
which refers to the old French king's bailiff. His job was to check the
payload of vessels leaving the port of Bordeaux, taking the property of
the king. Moreover, the domain has belonged to the Masse Henri family for five generations!
The
Henri family (pictured left) did a wonderful job with their wine in
2009. It's a classic Bordeaux blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet
Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc. During the growing season they opt
for green harvests, which reduce yields in favor of quality. They do
machine harvest this wine (the wine would cost a lot more if they
didn't), but they sort all the grapes by hand to make sure only the best
ones are used. The wine is then aged for 12 months in their castle
before release.
What
does it taste like? Dark in color, it has a gorgeous nose, somewhat
floral blackberry and black currant with a hint of chocolate. Flavors
echo in the mouth, turning decidedly dry and earthy, with a hint of old
wood and a note of leather that emerges with air. Full bodied and
structured, you could easily lay this down for five years or drink it
now like I did. I opened a bottle a couple days ago and watched it
improve the longer it was opened. Yesterday I bought a case and I'll
probably drink half over the holidays, and stick the rest in the
basement. Enjoy!
This
wine is also now included in our December wines of the month, Four-Pack
special. It replaces the Chateau de Calce, which sold out quickly so
we've replaced it with this great little value. 
Regular Price: $11.99
SALE Price: $8.99 net
SAVE 25% on a single bottle
volcano
in Europe, is roughly twice the size of its mainland cousin Mount
Vesuvius which is infamous for burying Pompeii in 79 AD. Etna, thought
to be named by the Phoenicians, means, appropriately, "furnace", with
the most recent eruption occurring this year. This north eastern area of
Sicily is starting to turn out some very good wines and this delicate
white is an affordable example. A blend of the indigenous grapes
Caricante and Catarratto account for approximately 70 and 30 percent of
the blend. Catarratto is normally found in the fortified Marsala wines
of the island. The wine is bright with lemon, tangerine, and pear aromas
and flavors. The volcanic soil seems to be imprinted on the nose along
with a hint of chamomile. Very easy drinking, try this with simple white
fish in olive oil, lemon and herbs. Mussels with a side of buttered
pasta and herbs wouldn't be a bad idea either.
have
a bit of limestone and flint; this is good news for Sauvignon Blanc
growers and lovers. (The AOC is only about 20 miles west of Quincy but
more on that later). Domaine Augis is run by Philippe Augis who is the
fifth generation and he does almost everything himself including hunting
wild boar that roam the property. While the AOC allows a little
Chardonnay to be blended into the Sauvignon Blanc, Philippe has stopped
this practice and the wine is one hundred percent SB. He also ferments
in barrels, not stainless steel; this gives the wine a bit more
roundness while still retaining its brightness and verve. Chicken, fish,
and, of course, goat cheese are fantastic accompaniments. $13.99 reg $10.99 October sale price
Seigneurs de Peyreviel, France
- Cotes de Millau is another small region north of the Languedoc and is
pretty much in the middle of nowhere; although, specifically it lies in
the southern part of the Massif-Central which is a large mountain range
full of extinct volcanoes and is considered the wildest and emptiest
place in France. This co-op wine is a crazy blend of 50%Syrah, 30%Gamay,
15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Fer Servadou and has a very unusual yet
compelling character. The aroma is complex with blackberry, raspberry,
and currant for fruit; while notes of earth, leather, and barnyard add
layers of interest. The wine is rustic and has tannins that give it an
edge without losing its overall friendliness. This would pair
magnificently with cassoulet or pate and French baguettes. $12.99 reg $9.99 October sale price
Portugal
is very well known for its fortified wines Port and Madeira of which
the English have been, and are still, fond. George Washington and Thomas
Jefferson, an American champion of Madeira, used it to toast the
signing of the Declaration of Independence. Fairly recently Portugal's
table wines of red and white have made significant inroads in the US
with Vinho Verde and non-fortified wines from the Dao and Douro regions.
Bairrada in the Beiras region is most certainly on a road less
traveled, at least by anywhere outside Portugal. Casa de Saima is owned
and run by Graça Maria da Silva Miranda and she believes in a
traditional approach to wine-making. The grapes are gently harvested,
trodden by foot in stone lagares, and then aged in large, neutral oak
barrels for about a year. This wine is made from 100% Baga grapes, a
distinctly Portuguese variety. The wine is fruit driven with red berries
and cherries leading the charge. Fine tannins support the fruit and the
overall impression is spicy, round, generous and mouth-filling. This
wine begs for grilled meats of all sorts, and you shouldn't disappoint
it!
While in Florence we stroll through the Piazza della Signoria and gaze at the Fountain of Neptune with its satyrs on the edges and sea horses emerging from the waters. Just outside the Palazzo Vecchio we can see a replica of Michelangelo's David - purists that we are, we head up to 
Accademia di Belle Arti ("Academy of Fine Arts") to see the real deal. On the way, a quick stop at one of the most visited locations in Europe, the Piazza del Duomo, to wander through museums, cathedrals and bell towers of epic proportions. After some night life adventuring and a seven course meal we rest up at the hotel of our choice and head out in the morning for San Gimignano and the first of our several winery stops.
Siena
is such a small city that you can walk across it in about a half hour.
So an early evening stroll is just the thing. We check out Il Campo, the Piazza where the Palio, a bareback horse race, is held in July and August, before checking in to the Grand Hotel Continental to be pampered. For dinner we head to Osteria il Campaccio for wild boar and polenta paired with Toscolo
Chianti. The Toscolo is so easy to drink with its bright red fruits and
friendly demeanor we are tempted to order a second bottle, but are
reminded by one of our more responsible traveling companions we need an
early start tomorrow, as we are headed to Montepulciano and Montalcino!
DOCG standing in 1980.
Off
to Montalcino, the home of Brunello, with the dust kicking up behind
our rented Fiat, we realize we have more than passed the halfway point
on our journey. This doesn't put a damper on our fire, as we head into
Montalcino. Montalcino is yet another picturesque hill town possibly
settled by the Etruscans. We check out the fortress which overlooks the
town and then head to the hamlet of Castello di Argiano, restored and
owned by Guiseppe Maria Sesti and his wife Elisa. They
turn out to be gracious hosts and pour their Brunellos and other wines
for us, which are stunning. The winner here, considering our budget, is
their Toscana IGT called Monteleccio which is an Italian version of the
Latin name “Montalcino,” meaning “hill of the holm oaks.” After a lovely
lunch and more wine we decide to stay in town for the evening and sneak
our Monteleccio into Il Leccio for dinner.
Maremma
is a coastal strip that is loosely defined as the area south of Livorno
(Leghorn) extending southward through the province of Grosseto, and
much of the area was better suited to mosquitos than wine production.
North of Scansano is Bolgheri the famous home of Sassicaia and
Ornellaia. The DOC for Bolgheri was established in 1994 and Sassicaia
was granted its own sub-zone DOC of Bolgheri. These wines have hit
stratospheric price levels so we make plans to visit a newer producer
with less expensive wines, Campo Mare which is owned by
Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari. Here we get to try the wines, and once
again for us, and for the money, their basic Bolgheri made up of Merlot,
Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc is the clear choice. Deep and
rich, with black currants, cherries, and spice, this full-bodied wine is
a capital way to end this virtual trip in and around the lovely rolling
hills and seacoast of Tuscany. Did we say end? Well you couldn’t blame
us if on the way back to Florence we “leaned” towards Pisa for some last
minute tourist thrills would you? We thought not.
Try all four wines of the month! We'll have a bottle of each open...
Casa
Alle Vacche, or House of the Cows, has been in the Ciappi family for
three generations and they take pride and extreme care in the vineyards
and in the winery. This shows up in the bottle. Their wines are very
well made, true to their varietal character and to their places of
origins. They are also very easy on the pocketbook, and equally easy to
drink. Light bodied, crisp,
the wine has subtle fruit aromas and flavors of apples, lemons and
pears. True to Vernaccia character it finishes with a hint of bitter
almond. Bright and refreshing, this wine should prove to be quite
versatile with appetizers or main dishes. It is remarkably tasty with a
simple pasta primavera or shrimp scampi, but can be sipped under the
shade of olive trees by itself.
Erik
Banti is one of the pioneers of Scansano wine; setting up shop in
Maremma and making his first finished wine in 1981. Maremma is the large
coastal area that runs from Livorno to the Province of Grosseto, and
much of this area was once swampy and mosquito infested. One famous
Tuscan winemaker, in the 1970's, tried and then gave up due to loss of
life amongst the laborers carving out vineyards. Banti is located in the
hills of Scansano where mosquitos are not a problem. Banti wines are no
strangers to either shop, Sudbury or West Concord, and his Carato was
quite a hit a few months back. The Morellino is a blend of 85%
Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, and 5% Ciliegiolo. This simple yet focused wine
with its aromas of sour cherries and herbs, and it bright acidity, make
this a great everyday food wine. Pizza, chicken, burgers and prosciutto,
basil, tomato paninis are surefire winners.
Neil
Empson, wine importer extraordinaire, produces this wine with his
friend and oenologist Franco Bernabei. This is Neil's proprietary brand.
He has said his heart lies in Tuscany so when he chose a name for his
wines he picked Toscolo which means "Tuscan Boy." The grapes come from
various zones around Chianti, and Neil gets to cherry-pick the grapes he
wants to use for this wine. This allows him to maintain consistent
quality vintage to vintage. 100% Sangiovese, this wine spends six months
in oak to soften the texture and lend the wine some spicy notes without
diminishing the lovely cherry, pomegranate, and raspberry fruit that
the wine displays. This wine works well with many first and second
courses, red and white meats, and cheeses. Roasted thick-cut pork chops
would work very well.
Castello
La Leccia is an ancient hamlet that lies in the Chianti Classico region
in the village of Castellina in Chianti, a bit north of Siena. Here
they make the Rosso that we are featuring, as well as a Chianti
Classico, a Riserva, and olive oil. Paolo Salvi is the winemaker here
and since 2000 they have been making improvements to the vineyards as
well as the cellars. The blend here is 70% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, and
5% Petit Verdot. This ruby colored wine is aromatic with dark cherries,
violets, and marzipan. The wine still has some primary grape-y notes
along with some mineral dust. Easy drinking, the tannins are light and
made of velvet; the body is of medium weight and the finish shows some
the bitter almond that is typical. Great "everything pizza" wine!
Panizzi
is relatively a newcomer in Tuscany. Just a little over twenty years
old, they have been producing highly rated wines that are complex and
full of vitality. The vineyards are about a kilometer and a half away
from San Gimignano with all its towers. 100% Vernaccia, the grapes are
gently pressed and then fermented in stainless steel. This
brilliantly clear wine is aromatic with fruit aromas of pineapple,
green apple, and pear. The texture is rich and shows some oily viscosity
for a mouth-filling sensation and a long finish. Pasta with shrimp and
scallops, or even lobster would be an excellent choice. Vegetables and
cheese are also delicious accompaniments.
Paolo
de Marchi, whose family is originally from Piedmont and who purchased
this estate in the sixties, continues to produce some of the best
Chianti Classicos around. Paolo took over the reins in 1976 and his
wines continue to get better. Paolo, while making very nice Chiantis and
his flagship wine, Cepparello, also makes a Cabernet, a Syrah, and a
Chardonnay. The Chardonnay, with each new vintage, impresses me more and
more. Barrel fermented, the 2010 Chardonnay is deep in color for the
variety and has an impressive nose filled with baked apples, vanilla,
lemon, nutmeg, cardamom, apple blossoms, honey, and lemon. A full
bodied wine, you might almost mistake this for Russian River Chardonnay,
but the fruit is a bit more old-world in style. This wine would go
astoundingly well with a seafood or mushroom vegetable risotto, but I
had it with chicken Parm the other night, and that also worked quite
satisfactorily.
The
estate dates back to the year 1000 and was a fortified settlement
belonging to the episcopacy of Siena. The name Scopeto most likely comes
from the wild heather (Erica scoparia) that grows in the surrounding
forests. The first vintage of Chianti Classico from this estate was in
1998, so while the estate is venerable, the wines are just starting to
find their way. The wine is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, and 5%
Colorino and is vinified in a traditional manner. Aging is done in 30
hectoliter Slavonian oak casks and this gives the wine unique baking
spice and herbal aroma. The wine is aromatic with herbs, sour cherries,
raspberries, black cherries, and an iron/meatiness typical of Sangiovese
character. Structured, the wine will age for a few years quite nicely
and the tannins are persistent and soft. Sour cherries on the palate
make this a particularly good pasta wine, but will also pair nicely with
wild boar.
Giuseppi Maria Sesti is a modern renaissance man. He has written five books on the history of astronomy, organized
the festival of Baroque opera at Batignano in Tuscany, and restored the
property where he now makes wine. He and his wife Elisa, using cycles
of the moon, grow grapes and olives and produce Brunellos and Toscano
Rossos of profound complexities. This “Monteleccio” which essentially is
another name for Montalcino, is comprised of Brunello (Sangiovese)
grapes that are selected for their quality by Giuseppi. The wine is very
aromatic, perhaps the most potent of our Tuscan line-up, with sour
cherry, earthy notes of fallen leaves and forest, iron, flowers and
spice. The palate is full and loaded with sweet ripe fruit and balancing
acidity and tannins. If you are looking for an interesting and
challenging wine, then this is for you. Pair with rich stews of pork and
root vegetables, venison steaks, and truffled risotto. We love this
wine! Imported by Kermit Lynch.
Bolgheri,
for those enamored of Super Tuscans, is the home of Super Expensive
wines like Sassicaia and Ornellaia that were modeled after Bordeaux
wines of France. Created by members of the Antinori family using
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, etc., these wines first appeared in1970
(Sassicaia) and 1981 (Ornellaia). By comparison Campo al Mare, owned by
the Folonari family, produced their first Bolgheri Rosso in 2003. A
shorter history perhaps, but still an impressive addition to these
legendary Super Tuscans. The wine is your typical Bordeaux blend of
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Very
aromatic, the wine is loaded with black currants, cherries, red
currants, cocoa, mocha, baking spices, roasted herbs, and mint.
Texturally, it has structural tannins that are almost silky yet taut.
This is very full-bodied and concentrated. A young wine that drinks well
enough now, but will certainly age well for 5-7 years or more. Why
spend $150 or more on one of the better known Bolgheri wines, when you
can get the Campo al Mare at a fifth of that price? Try this with hearty
Tuscan stews or marinated flank steaks. You’ll be glad you did.
for under $15 per bottle. 
uncovered four wines that over-deliver even at their regular retail prices. We have two reds from Swartland, South Africa that are so good we think even the most hard-nosed value hunter will be stunned; an Argentine Bonarda that demands to be taken seriously; and a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that balances very ripe fruit with racy acidity so well we have to give it a standing ovation. So what happens when we put these on sale as August wines of the month? Serious, extreme, mega-value pandemonium is what happens! These south-of-the-equator wines should make this last month of summer vacation even more fun, relaxing and satisfying.
Seresin Winery is owned by cinematographer Michael Seresin, a New Zealand native who, inspired by Truffaut and Fellini, pursued a career as a cameraman. He went on to become director of photography on films like Midnight Express and a Harry Potter film, and eventually, in 1996 produced his first vintage wine. MOMO is the “offspring” of his main winery. The grapes are 100% Sauvignon Blanc, from bio-dynamic vineyards in the Wairu Valley. With intense aromas of grass, grapefruit, passionfruit and pear, this medium-bodied wine, has a lively palate with citrus and grass overtones. It finishes zesty, balanced and dry. Try pairing with summer salads, fish tacos and grilled, herbed chicken.
a mere 117 years after the first Cape grapes were crushed in 1659 by Jan van Riebeeck, the first European Cape settler of South Africa. The property was sold in 1993 and the new owners fixed up the homestead and started a new planting program with the intention of producing world class wines. They've definitely succeeded! This wine has a violet hue with moderate density. Aromas of blueberry, blackberry, and plum fruits are kicked up a notch by cocoa, leather and pepper. The ripe fruit flavors are transposed to the palate while the texture is smooth yet energized. With food or as a relaxing starter this is a great summer red that is versatile and should carry you through the fall and into winter. Pair with grilled red meats and or sausages.
Astute readers will notice that this wine and another of the four share a producer name. While we generally shy away from promoting more than one wine from the same producer as a wine of the month, we were faced with two very good wines and having to make a hard decision. Well we decided that these two wines were so well made and delicious, that to leave one off the list would be akin to a crying shame. 100% Syrah the fruit comes from low yielding bush vines that deliver small berries and intense flavors. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel with selected Rhone yeast strains. Two thirds of wine is matured in French oak and then blended with the remainder. What this gives you is a medium violet colored wine with assertive aromas of blackberries, black currant, plum, pepper, leather, earth and cocoa. Soft tannins and a long finish complete this wine admirably. This would go very well with pepper encrusted NY Strip steak and a side of sweet potato fries.
Since then, the property passed through many hands, until 1996 when it was bought by the Nieto Senetiner families. The Bonarda grape, the second most planted red grape in Argentina, comes with some controversy. Most people think it came over from Italy with Italian immigrants, but the Bonarda in Italy is known to be three different grapes that share the same name. There is even some speculation that the Bonarda in Argentina is actually Charbono which originated in the Savoie region of France. Regardless of the accuracy of the grape name, this opaque ,dark purple wine is loaded with dark cherry, blackberry and baked plum aromas; add a touch of cocoa, licorice, and spice for complexity's sake and you have one serious bottle of wine. Very juicy with a dark core, this Bonarda really delivers with smooth tannins on the palate and a long concentrated finish. This is also a keeper; we would have no qualms about putting some of this away for 3-5 years. It will get even better! Pair this with veal Parmigiana or some dry-rubbed pork ribs.
vintages as recent as 2005, to old timers from 1976 - and a couple from 1973, aged pillars of longevity and complexity, harbingers of what some of the babies will morph into, with some patience.
Tondonia Vineyard. It is a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 10% Graciano and Mazuelo. This is a wine still showing much of its baby fat. Concentrated and medium-bodied, it is loaded with very ripe primary fruit - dark cherries, plums, raspberries, and a hint of citrus were all present. As for non-fruit complexities, there were touches of leather, rose petals, vanilla and spices. All in all, very seductive and balanced even for only being 11 years old! Round and smooth, this wine is lovely to drink now, but will gain complexity for a decade or more.
"There are few wineries in Spain whose names conjure the heritage and prestige evoked by R. Lopez de Heredia. One of the grand old estates of Rioja, and still in the founding family’s hands, everything here is made in the same natural and artisan way employed 133 years ago, with the purpose of making the best wine possible - the mythical fine wine from Rioja. These are rare and wonderful examples of Rioja’s classical wine tradition—and bargains for their age, quality and rarity. López de Heredia is a bulwark against modern winemaking. New oak is virtually non-existent in these vast cellars but there are plenty of the traditional, large American casks here that were the standard in the nineteenth century."
methods and produce these timeless, classic Riojas!
2011 Domaine de Pouy - Cotes de Gascogne, France
The Savoie wine region lies at the foothills of the Alps, south of Geneva. The landscape is alpine and vineyards are nestled between hills and lakes, while the soil is mostly clay and limestone. The domain was established in 1975 by two brothers who were subsistence farmers looking to supplement their income. Now run by Alexandra & Jeromé, cousins, the vineyard produces wines with tipicity and freshness. 100 perent Jacquère, a unique and indigenous variety, this wine is fruit forward, light-bodied and eminently drinkable! Aromas of white fruits and citrus with a hint of meadow flowers are followed by comparable flavors with a hint of soft minerality. Very versatile, try this with simple chicken, fish, fresh veggies, Tomme de Savoie or Comte cheese.
What could be better than a liter of white wine? A liter of white wine that tastes really good! Gruner Veltliner caught the attention of intrepid sommeliers in the 90’s and 00’s, and while some wine drinkers caught the buzz, the grape variety still lies in a bit of obscurity. Winzer Krems is located in Krems, Austria and the vineyards lie 70 kilometers west of Vienna. The winery itself was incorporated in 1938 and has been making quality/value wines like this for a long time. Light-bodied with subtle fruit aromas and flavors of citrus and apple, this wine has a crispness and immediacy that will pair well with everything summer. Extremely easy drinking, and did we mention that it comes in a liter!?! Oh yeah!
Southern Right was founded by Anthony Hamilton Russell in 1994 in the cool, maritime, Hemel-en-AardeValley appellation in South Africa. Here, not more than 3 kilometers from Walker Bay where Southern Right whales often visit, is where Anthony believes he can produce exceptional Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage. Judging from the numerous vintages we have sampled, we would have to agree with him. Very aromatic, with lemons, grapefruits, a hint of tangerine and a moderate amount of grassy herbal notes. Bright and food friendly. Whale friendly too - with each bottle sold they contribute to the whales’ conservation.
I’m sure we have extolled the virtues of Jose Pastor wine in some previous e-mail (Benito Santos’ -Albariño), but we can’t get enough of this importer’s portfolio! We especially bang the drum when a wine is this yummy – that’s a technical term- and very reasonably priced. This is a Jose Pastor Selection, and what that means is that he is selecting the grapes and then asks Carles Escolar, winemaker extraordinaire, to make the wine and bottle it up. What you get in the bottle is 100% stainless steel fermented Tempranillo juiciness that is medium to light-bodied, full of zip and fresh red berry flavors, and this all adds up to a handy red to have around. Pair with outdoor food; but have no fear if it rains, it works indoors too.
Experience an evening of locally prepared food and wine from around the world right in your own back yard at the annual Tastes of Concord.
2009 Pinot Noirs from around the globe. While the majority of the wines came from America (12 of 17) there was a representative from most of the better regions known for producing excellent examples of Pinot Noir. A late addition to the lineup was a Pinot Nero (aka Pinot Noir) from the Lombard region in Northern Italy. One of the guests had brought it as a warm up wine - pre-tasting- but the host reckoned it would make interesting fodder amongst this group of Pinots.
has been owned by the Mumelter family since 1785. One thousand feet above sea level at the foot of the picturesque hills of St. Magdalener and St. Giustina in Rencio, the estate is filled with sun-drenched vineyards and an ancient wine press. The generous sunlight, breezy south-facing position of the vineyards, and sandy clay soil provide the ideal conditions for the cultivation of this berry filled wine.
consistently turn out high quality, fully ripened grapes year after year, which is the result of very attentive vineyard care. All of their winemaking practices are performed using the most traditional and natural methods possible.
Not only do they import their own wine from Abruzzo in Italy, but they also have a distribution company that brings their little wine right to our doorstep in a Masciarelli truck. Their ability to cut out the middleman by doing the importing and distributing themselves keeps the price very fair for all of us wine drinkers.
Owner Bruce Neyers' experiences over the past several years include working with Kermit Lynch Imports: a group of more than 100 French and Italian vintners. These wine producers have been important in shaping the style of the Neyers wines. If you frequent our shops, you know that we are big fans of Kermit Lynch wines, so we have high expectations for Bruce's wines and those expectations are always exceeded.
