Ground Breaking News

What A Beautiful Audience

How would you like to taste wine with Michael Mondavi himself? You will have your chance in November - and in the next few weeks we will publish a list of guests that will set a new benchmark for bringing our friends and customers directly to the makers of the greatest wines in the world.

First of their kind, ground breaking, one on one - that's what we are working on now. And it is only because of your remarkable support that we are able to make these types of events happen. Thank you for being part of the revolution. Drink Different.

This Friday - 10.16.12

1 - Cline 2011 Cashmere - $16

Let's face it: $16 wine values from the Côtes Du Rhône region of southeastern France are among the world's best red wine values. But that doesn't mean that California versions, using similar grape blends, shouldn't also share space on your wine rack. Cline Cellars has been doing Rhône for years, and one of their most recent incarnations, seductively named "Cashmere," is a treat.

Garnet/ruby color. High-toned, slightly grapey nose, with appealing brightness and notes of fresh herbs, raspberry, Kirsch, and coffee grounds. Turns more toward cherry flavors and hints of milk chocolate in its smooth, warm and balanced texture. Good acids on the finish to cut through burgers, lamb chops or a mushroom/onion tart. (A blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah)


Cline Cellars proudly supports Living Beyond Breast Cancer and over the years has contributed more than $200,000 to breast cancer foundations.

We are proud to support their efforts this Friday night - please join us.


 2 - Paso a Paso Verdejo - $12

 
This winery is located in the best terroir of La Mancha found in the eastern region of the ¨Denomination of Origin. Sandy soils with lots of chalk. Winters are very cold; summers are hot with cool nights and it is a very arid climate. The grapes for this wine come from 14 hectares ( 34 acres) of Verdejo vines planted in 1998. The yield is 4T/ha (1.60 T/acre). After very careful vineyard selections, only the best vines of Verdejo grapes are hand harvested.

Tanzer's Internation Wine Cellars::
"Green-tinged gold. Very fresh scents of quince, melon and agave. Juicy and broad in the mouth, with good depth to its pit and orchard fruit flavours. Becomes spicier with air and finishes with strong cut and a lingering citrus pith note. This offers excellent value. "


This has got to be one of the best values we have offered in a long time - this is a wine that you will want to have around for the rest of the year. Perfect for dinners, hosting a holiday get together, or just sipping with friends. It is as they say - a crowd pleaser.  Please try it on Friday night.

The Fall Season - Events

WINE WORKS LIKE MAGIC

Please Mark Your Calendars

Wednesday - 10.24.12 - The Wines Of South Africa
No Charge - Please RSVP - Limited SeatingPresented by Knauth & Visser. Paired with small plates.
Learn about the great South African Winelands and try wine that is available here for the first time.

SPECIAL - Friday - 11.16.12 - No Charge - RSVP Required

Very Limited Seating
Jim Kowalyschyn Espris Du Vin Wine &
Samantha Brennen Artisinal Cheese of
New York.
Wine and cheese pairings presented by two of the leaders in the field.

SATURDAY - 11.17.12 - 3PM
Eric Bellnier presents Essential Italian Wines for the holidays.
Special pricing on Award Winning Fontodi Wines.

ALSO -

Friday October 19
Mangetout Restaurant
We have a collaboration dinner event with Mangetout the
Organic Cafe just up the block.

An Organic Oktoberfest Dinner and wine pairing
Friday, October 19 
Just Two Seatings
6pm & 8pm.

We will be pairing wine with each course. You must contact Mangetout directly to make reservations. Seating Is Very Limited. 8 6 0 - 4 4 4 - 2 0 6 6. Do Not Wait To Call if you are interested.

THIS FRIDAY NIGHT Will will be joined by a special guest - Please Join Us. 1 - Clos des Mures a Single Vineyard Syrah - $16 Jean-Claude Mas has blazed the trail for premium winemaking in the Languedoc region of the South of France. Since taking the helm of the centuries-old Domaines in 2000, his driving mission has been to use only premium quality grapes to craft superior wines with a modern, New World flair. Intense purple violet with garnet tints. Complex nose with blackcurrants, violet, blackberries, turning to cacao and spices. Well balanced and smooth tannins, full bodied. WINEMAKER: "Grapes, some of which are cultivated on 40-year old vines, benefit from hot summer days and a cooling sea breeze. A deep garnet red wine.Complex on the nose with aromas of blackcurrants, violets and blackberries that evolve into hints of cocoa and spice. Elegant and fruit-filled on the palate, liquorice and toasted notes lead   to a long-lasting and well-balanced finish over smooth tannins.  The Syrah vines are between 26 and 46 years old, the Grenache 47 years old. The wine is aged for 10 months in French and American Seguin Moreau and François Frére oak barrels 30% new oak barrels, 35% 1 year old oak barrels, 35% 2 year old oak barrel. Intense purple violet with garnet tints. Complex nose with blackcurrants, violet, blackberries, turning to cacao and spices. Well balanced and smooth tannins, full bodied. Strong fruity characters with a long finish evolving towards liquorice and toasted notes. Elegant and refined.  Food pairing: Preferably pasta dishes, beef stews, red meat, game, pate and soft full flavor cheeses."     2 - La Forge Estate, Languedoc France - $14    Deep Bright and lovely light garnet-red colour. Nose: Very elegant with a quintessence of red berries, strawberry, cherry, and soft spices aromas with a hint of vanilla. Palate: It's a medium bodied wine, with ripe tannins and acidity which testify his capability to age. It develops very delicate aromas and a long lasting finish. Pinot Noir causes more discussion and dispute in the wine world than any other grape variety, most of which centers around the wine style which best represents the 'true' Pinot Noir. Examples from Central Otago are so different from those grown in Santenay that even an untrained palate can tell them apart. Yet both are unmistakably, unquestionably Pinot Noir. It is this strength of character which has made Pinot Noir such an internationally successful and desirable grape variety. Pairs well with grilled red meats such as lamb, veal, pork and game. Also goes well with soft cheeses such as brie or goat's cheese. 3 - Domaine Paul Mas Carignan 2010 - $14 Never heard of Carignan? Until around 1990, it was the most widely grown grape in France. The workhorse grape of France and Spain, its ancestral home (where it is called Cariñena), Carignan is traditionally used in blends and is the primary, unsung ingredient in French wines that are labeled simply "Red table wine" or "Vin de Table." That is why most people have heard of Carignan only in passing, or not at all. Located on the hillsides of the Hérault overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the Savignac vineyard is the ideal growing location for Carignan grapes. These mature vines, some over 50-years old, have reached a perfect natural balance. Even though produced in the Côteaux du Languedoc, Cru Grés de Montpellier appellation, this single varietal wine can only be designated IGP Pays de L'Hérault.   100% Carignan On the nose, spices and blackberry give way to aromas of cherry jam and cocoa over toasted oak notes. A full-bodied, rich and mellow wine, with delicious velvety tannins and complex flavors.    BUZZ - News & Events          As promised our dance card is filling up for the coming season. Please take a moment to check your calendar with our posted dates. If you see something that you like, don't wait to call because things fill up quickly. We will be adding more attractions and finalizing more special guests in the next couple of weeks Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions that we receive every week. We try to incorporate as many of your ideas as possible. AND Thank you for the support, we know there are a lot of choices you can make for shopping - but keeping your business local and supporting small business in New London is greatly appreciated. We hope to see you soon.

 ThamesRiver.com

Please Join Us On Friday Night.

It Is Fun Informal And A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.

Wine & Cheese Tasting Every Friday 5-8 PM - No Charge

WINE - The New Energy Drink.

Christophe Reboul Salze bought his Bordeaux wine vineyard Chateau Les Grands Marechaux located in the Cotes de Blaye appellation in 1997.

Les Grands Marechaux is a contender for the best value Bordeaux wine produced today.




This estate-bottled, hand-harvested Bordeaux has also been a favorite of Robert Parker who has featured it in
"The World's Best Wine
Values Under $25"
calling it "sensational" and writing that the wine is "velvety textured, sumptuous, and long...". He's called Stephane Derenoncourt (who consults at the estate) "brilliant" and the estate was classified as "excellent".

Wow - I can hardly wait for Friday night - how about you?

Chateau les Grands Marechaux  - $22
Rated 92 points in the Wine Spectator

So, just how great is the 2009 vintage?

"The finest vintage I have tasted in 32 years of covering Bordeaux!!!" - Robert M. Parker Jr.

"In France's most famous wine region, Bordeaux, some people are touting the 2009 vintage as the mother of great modern vintages. Licorice and tar on the nose. Full-bodied, with a lovely core of fruit and silky tannins. Focused and clear. Could be best ever from here." - James Suckling, Wine Spectator

Wine Advocate: Consultant Stephane Darenoncourt has fashioned a medium dark ruby-hued 2009 with seductive fruit, earth, spice, and dark berry characteristics as well as a medium to full-bodied finish.








Llicorella Priorat 2005 - $22
Louis Latour Pouilly Vinzelles - 18 

      

Already known to the Romans, Vinzelles takes its name from the latin vincella which means small vine. The distinctive feature of the village of Vinzelles is the presence of two "chateaux" separated by just a few metres: a fortified castle from the 11th century and the other from the 13th and 17th centuries.  

 

The appellation of Pouilly-Vinzelles encompasses the villages of Vinzelles and Loche. Continuing from the predominantly limestone slopes of Chaintre and Fuisse, the vineyards of Pouilly-Vinzelles are exclusively planted with Chardonnay and closely resemble those wines from its neighbor Pouilly-Fuisse.

Golden yellow in color, this Pouilly-Vinzelles is characterized by its heady aromas of Williams pear and peppered mango. Round, fat and very full in the mouth with liquorice notes. Finishes with an attractive balance.

Rated 91 Points - The Wine Spectator 

 

Wine Spectator:  Rated as Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style. "This red is light and crisp, yet has plenty of structure to power its raspberry, licorice and mountain herb flavors. Focused and lively, with a floral, spicy finish.

Wine Maker: 

"A cherry red wine, with purple reflections and an aroma of black fruits with roasted notes. Concentrated and with sweet notes that are reminiscent of cacao. Has a long, well-balanced after-taste.  From a rugged region with sharp relief, in which the grapes are grown on terraces and on the mountain sides or “costers”. The earth is the distinctive element of this region, and is stony and poor with a volcanic constitution, formed by thin layers of slate or “llicorella”, that retain little water, giving the wines produced in this region a marked mineral character. "

Named for the priory of a 12th century order of Carthasian monks, Priorat's vineyards are necessarily on terraces due to the tightly-folded mountainous terrain of the region.  Mechanism is virtually impossible because of the lay of the land, so the wines are hand-crafted.  The solid structure and lively personality of the Llicorella Priorat allow it to pair with a great variety of foods.  Lamb and meat as well as duck, game and robust fish will all do well.  Sample your first glass with a nutty Manchego cheese from Spain; it will really bring out the mountain herbs of this Priorat.  The hint of fruit in this focused red will be delicious with crisp-skinned rotisserie duck served with a sweet-tart cherry chutney.  A pan of paella made with fideo noodles instead of rice will bring out the more earthy, spicy side of this Llicorella. 
We like ours with sausage, chicken and/or duck.  If you want something simple, grill up some lamb sausages and serve them with oven-roasted garlic potatoes.  Pour another generous glass and savor it with a rich, full-flavored Spanish Zamorano cheese.  Its texture melts in your mouth and is the perfect ending to what will no doubt be a great meal.   Disfrutar!

Wine-Flu? We Have The Cure

Happy Holidays
We have something for everyone.
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7
Greetings from New London,

Hey - we still have a few bottles left of this
New York Times - Rated #1 of '07s by Eric Asimov -
Domaine Montpertuis - First come, first served.

ALSO - Cloudy Bay - THE wine of New Zealand - rewrote the book on Sauvignon Blanc around the world - Impossible to get, impossible to forget.
But we called in a few "markers" and you can get as much as you like from us for the holidays.

*****

The Tasting This Week:
Portugal Part Deux!
With the help of our host Lisa Sansevarino from Iberia Wines we've come to learn that Portugal makes a lot more wine than Port. Grapes we may never have heard of (but have experienced elsewhere) from some of the most ancient vineyards in the world.

These wines are detailed, rich and all represent outstanding value - totally under the radar - what fun!
And they are a remarkable value - don't miss them.
More details below.

*****

The holiday season is the perfect time for rum. Rum is mostly famous for being the active ingredient in popular cocktails, like the Cuba Libré, the Mojito and the Mai-Tai.

What is less well-known, however, is that, like single malt scotch, tequila and a host of other spirits, many of the best rums are so refined that they don't need mixers to taste great.

Rum makes a great holiday gift:
It's an essential in any respectably stocked bar, and it's something special the recipient can share with friends (lucky you) the whole year.

Here are some of our current favorites:

Cruzan Single Barrel - A real stand-out, and one of my favorites. This rum is big and creamy in the front of the mouth, but surprises with a very long finish accented with hints of earth and spice.

Old Monk is one of our top selling rums. A velvety smooth dark rum with a hint of vanilla. Honored the world over, Old Monk had been awarded gold medals at Monde World Selections since 1982. With the first drop of Old Monk Rum, the sheer aroma of distilled cane sugar grown in lush green fields of India, stirs up the age old legend. Old Monk Rum is a form of the legendary 'Som-ras' of India's centuries old scriptures - The Drink of Gods and Lords of India.

El Dorado - This rum is dark and amber-colored, with an intriguing smoky sweetness on the nose. The flavor is all fruitcake and treacle in the front of the mouth, but shows an unusual dry finish.

English Harbor - Five Year Old - It's pale color-almost like dry sherry-is mirrored in the flavor; this is the most delicate and refined of rums, with an almost feminine character. The longer it sat in the glass, the more elegant and polished it became.

Neisson Reserve - One of the few rums made from the juice of sugar cane-as opposed to molasses-which gives it a more polished, refined character. It's full and rich in the mouth, with subtle hints of vanilla, dried fruits and exotic spices, and a long, lingering and sweet finish.

Pyrat - A rich blend of 15-year-old rums from various parts of the Caribbean, it is packed with ripe fruit flavors-apricots, banana and fresh oranges-all held together by pronounced vanilla and honey.

Barbancourt 15 year Reserve - Round, rich and creamy, like old-fashioned plum pudding with lots of heavy cream. Voluptuous and sensual, but with a spicy kick in the long finish.

We have a great selection of rum - stop in and have a look.

C I T Y N E W S
NEW LONDON

Santa Knows Where To Get A Good Cigar

We have The perfect stocking stuffer for the cigar lover in your life.

We have a beautiful selection of gift packs from the finest cigar makers in the world.

They are priced right for the holidays and ready to go.




Hard to Find
Perdomo Reserve
Gift Boxs with free Cigar Cutter - start at $45.00

And a great selection of fine cigars, humidors, accessories and gift sets.

And we also have the finest smoking lounge on the planet. Authentic 1900's ambiance - stop by and take a look.

Cigar Society Lounge
is open everyday.

70 State Street New London
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7

Please Join Us
Friday December 18 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.

1 - Caves da Cepa Vinho Verde $8

Turns out our old omnipresent Vinho Verde was like seeing Coca-Cola for sale on the shelf - it made our Portuguese experts wince and turn away like Dracula from the sun!

No problem - it has been replaced with a MUCH higher quality wine - for only a dollar more. Light and lovely - Caves da Cepa shows beautiful light apricot fruit with the fizzy tingle that we all expect from our green wines. Perfect with Atlantic cod and shellfish.

Penedo da Moura Vinho Tinto $8

This little wine from the Estremadura region has a rich aroma and tart fruit flavors. With hints of dry figs, oak and spices this wine is excellent with grilled meats, but light and elegant with relatively low alcohol. One of our favorite bargain sleepers!

Monte das Servas Escolha $14

Aragonez (40%), Alicante Bouschet (25%), Trincadeira (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) give this wine a deep, concentrated color with complex aromas. Elegant and dense, showing good tannic structure with cinnamon and plum notes. Full-bodied with a long lingering finish.

Monte das Aservas Colheita Seleccionada$ $20

A blend of Aragonez (20%), Touriga Nacional (40%) Alicante Bouschet (20%), Trincadeira (20%) - this wine sees more oak than its little brother, and has a full fruity flavor with an endless smoky finish. A stunning full-bodied red for the price!

****

Please join us. Its fun informal and a great way to start your weekend.

First - we want to thank everyone for the fantastic holiday wishes and support you have been giving to us during these past couple of weeks.

All of the merchants in downtown New London appreciate the "Shop Local" mantra that so many people have embraced - it makes a difference.

Next -
The rumors are true - we will begin accepting reservations for our new series of wine dinners in the coming weeks - we just want to get through the holidays before we announce the menus and the special guests.

We have a lot of things planned for New Year - Special guests, dinners, live performances & more - so please stayed tuned.

AAA.

The Wine Diaries - Drink Away The Pain

City News Presents
Troubadour Nights - A Series of Live Performances
Starting This Friday From 5:00 - 7:00 p. m.
No Charge
Stop by on your way to or from our weekly Wine Tasting or your
Dinner at Brie & Bleu.
Greetings from New London,

Thanks to everyone for the tremendous support that you have been showing to us at Brie & Bleu.
Remember Kitchen is now open until 10 p.m. - Please Reserve Early.

***

This Friday night is the inaugural session of
"Trabadour Nights" at City News. In an effort to rekindle the "Bohemian Experience", our friends at Little Red Tree Publishing are organizing the same kind of entertainment that you might find if you were sneaking around the West Village after midnight.

Join us for a little wine, a little cheese, and some great performance. No Charge - and the early start time makes it a perfect stop on your way to dinner or our weekly wine tasting. Please join us - 5-7 p.m.

****

Remember:
The Connecticut Cajun himself - Chef Phil Hubbard - will be cooking authentic Cajun Cuisine
at The Beanery on the
5th, 12th, and 19th of November.

If you have been waiting for a reason to visit the authentic 1900's seating area at City News this is it.

This is a great opportunity to make plans and meet your friends downtown for something special.
We have lots of seating and the mood will be festive - we hope you can join us. Questions:
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7 - Option # 2 for The Beanery

***

LAST CALL - City News in Conjunction with the Thames Club will be hosting an Ashton Cigar "Taste Of Excellence" Dinner.

Saturday November 14th - 6:00 p.m.

Call the Thames Club - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 5 5 0 4
Ask for Club Manager Paula Guido - Explain that you are a guest of City News and would like to make a reservation. It is just that simple.

******

Other Highlights for the coming season include:
Wine dinners, beer dinners, guest chefs, authors and holiday surprises.

New food & wine series coming to Brie & Bleu.

New wine dinners & special events coming to City
News, Brie & Bleu, and our one of a kind cellar.

Please join us.

Wine Tasting
Please Join Us
Friday November 6 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.

1 - Martinsancho Verdejo $18

La Seca in the heart of D.O. Rueda. Now widely renowned for its fresh white wines made from Verdejo, in the 1970s, the Verdejo grape was practically wiped out by more prolific varieties such as Viura and Palomino.

Visionary Angel Rodríguez realized the treasure in his 17th-century Martinsancho Verdejo vineyard and refused to uproot it.
For his untiring efforts in reestablishing Verdejo's prominence in its region of origin he was officially honored by King Juan Carlos.

Like an old friend stopping in from out of town, one of our favorite Spanish whites has returned again - Martinsancho! Light, bright and ethereal with a briny finish. A classic varietal from coastal Spain, perfect for salads, shellfish and cheese courses.


2 - La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Ventoux $9

The color is a medium deep crimson, as usual, with good brilliance. Aromas and flavors are bursting with raspberry-tinged garrigue, ripe and inviting.

Big, full bodied presence - all fruit and a yard wide. Spice and peppercorns are showing already but only as a backdrop to the fruit. Loads of garrigue; this is what garrigue is all about.

The more I drink, the more I want. "The Old Farm," also known as "The Chicken Red," this bargain-priced French beauty is a Granache-based light, fine Rhone - an everyday favorite around here and we also have it in jumbo mags at $18.





3 - Costozza Cabernet Sauvignon $16

No that's not a typo - this wine used to go for $26 on the shelf, but our guy Mark in Northern Italy has put it on deep sale as we move towards the next vintage.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Veneto region (better known for the world's finest Pinot Grigio), this is a big, dark earthy Cab.

The Costozza "fire sale" has been an in-store secret, but now the secret's out - we're pouring it on Friday, available as long as the 2003 vintage lasts!

4 - Syzygy Cabernet Sauvignon $40

People come into the store and ask for this wine by name! No, but seriously - we think it's pronounced "Shedjee."

What we really have here is an incredibly voluptuous Cabernet from Washington State's Columbia Valley.

The high-altitude and endless winds of the region produce some of the best wines of our West Coast.

As a cult favorite, Syzygy stands out as a big red blockbuster, but still resonably priced.

Please drop in and sample it!

Cider "Cocktail" Anyone?

Classic Combinations
Great Wine & Beer
Affordable Indulgence.

Rediscover A
Great Night Out.
Brie & Bleu
New London's
Waterfront Bistro

Please Reserve Early
8 6 0 - 4 3 7 - 2 4 7 4

Thank you all for the many comments and emails about the changes and additions we have been making.
We love your feedback - good and bad - it is important to us.
And as always - thanks for your support we appreciate it.

Please Join Us.
It's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.


AAA.

Italian Powerhouse - Highest Rating - Ever?

Hypnotized card
available at City News

Greetings From New London

This Friday night we will be pouring one of the highest rated wines - In our history. A powerhouse from Italy. The list is just below a few items of interest.

·····

City News - Cigar Society Update:
On Saturday April 18 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Cigar Aficioando Magazine hosts The Big Smoke - MGM Grand at Foxwoods. City News will be right in the middle of all the action. If you are interested in joining us at the show - you must call us and reserve a place and for all of the details.
Tickets will include:
More than 25 handmade premium cigars
A large variety of premium spirits
A delicious buffet
A welcome area for smoking & meeting the Cigar Makers.

Call - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7

·····

Italian Dinner Number Two - is sold out.
T H A N K Y O U
Date For The Next Dinner
Will Be Announced Soon
Reservations - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7
(This is a three dinner series.)

Dinners will be held at City News 70 State Street
Right next door to Thames River Greenery.
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7

·····

Wine Tasting
Please Join Us
Friday April 4 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Disznoko Tokaji Dry 2006 $18
Made from 100% Furmint, the grape bunches are harvested at the time of full ripening, but before Botrytis development. The culsters are put into crates and brought to the winery, where they are gently pressed, allowed to settle, and fermented in stainless steel tanks.
The wine has a golden-yellow hue with a crisp, young appearance. Very harmonious, elegant in the mouth, and beside the fruity fragrances its aroma reminds of acacia flower with spicy citrus. Its taste is light, fresh and fruity, with notes of apricot, orange and orange skin.


2 - Louis Latour Domaine de Valmoissine
Pinot Noir 2006 $15

This wine shines with a nice pale purple-red color. Forest strawberries, herbes de Provence and cherries pair with bright acidity and supple tannins. Hints of licorice and plums linger on the finale. It is fresh and supple with elegant tannins.

The Domaine de Valmoissine is located on the site of the ancient monastery and university of Valmoissine at 500 metres above sea-level which guarantees sunshine during the summer months whilst remaining cool and limits the possibility of spring frosts. The grapes are entirely hand-picked before being fermented in stainless steel open-vats for a short period of 4-5 days. Pigeage will take place 2-3 times a day to extract color and tannins.

3 - Can Blau Monsant 2007 $18

91 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Dark purple. Sexy aromas of blackberry, blueberry, Asian spices and smoked meat. Supple and open-knit, with sweet dark berry preserve flavors, velvety texture and good mineral bite. Manages to be both nervy and concentrated, with very good finishing clarity and cut. Leaves strong blue fruit notes behind and repeats the spicy quality."

90+ points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2007 Can Blau is purple-colored with a nose of cedar, mineral, baking spices, blueberry, and black cherry. This leads to a full-bodied wine with layers of flavor, enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years, and a pure, fruit-filled finish. It will be at its peak from 2010 to 2018." (08/08) 90 points Wine & Spirits: "This wine's sweet flavors of blueberries and cloves meld into the smoky notes of oak. It's a robust and tannic wine with powerfully concentrated flavors of wild forest fruits. Still young, it needs at least a couple years in the bottle to mellow." (02/09)

4 - Vitanza Brunello di Montalcino 2001 $70

"Beautiful aromas of blackberry and dried flowers with just a hint of toasted oak. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a mineral, vanilla and berry aftertaste. Excellent as always. Best after 2010. 1,300 cases made. -JS" -Rated 93, Wine Spectator




"This deeply-colored 2001 Brunello di Montalcino from Vitanza displays an array of super-ripe jammy berry, licorice, smoke and toasted oak nuances. Ample and caressing on the palate, it offers outstanding length and fine overall balance, with an attractive note of sweetness on the finish. A few years of cellaring should help integrate some of the oak tannins that are present today. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016." -Rated 90, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"A modern Brunello with dark, inky concentration and toasted wood notes that underscore cracked black pepper, spicy cherry wood, charcoal and chocolate-covered strawberries. As soft, cushiony and velvety as your most comfortable couch, with a powerful tannin punch at the end. - W.E. (4/1/2006)" -Rated 92, Wine Enthusiast

"Cherries and leather, intriguing. Quite tanninc but fruit underneath and overall well-structured. Drink 2011-16. " -Rated 3 Stars, Decanter

"Good deep red-ruby. Deep aromas and flavors of dark berries and nutty oak. Round, lush and rich but dry; full-bodied, broad and pliant. The fruit flavors are downright seductive today even if this wine is very young. Finishes long and ripely tannic. Some bottle aging should bring greater complexity. " -Rated 91, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions - we appreciate it.

And we are pleased to be pouring such an exceptional Italian wine this week - we hope to see you there.

Please join us. It's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.

AAA.