Newsletter

February 15, 2015 – March 14, 2015

Winter Strength Reds

Let’s face it, the winter weather has tossed us around. The cold has us craving hearty stews, warm bread, melted cheese, and red, red wine. To put anything else on the Front Page this month would be unthinkable.

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Lisboa
2012 Vinho Regional Lisboa ‘Cigarra’ (Casa Santos Lima)
Sale Price $8.99 – $91.70 case of twelve
Casa Santos Lima Cigarra Vinho Regional LisboaThe world’s best wine values are coming out of Portugal. The reason these remain great values may be because you have never heard of Castelão (hardy), Camarate (sun loving), Touriga Nacional (high quality) and Trincadeira (dark skinned). These four grapes make up the blend in the 2012 Cigarra from the Lisboa region. This dark red starts out fruity and veers into an earthy dry spectrum.

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Freisa
2012 Langhe Freisa ‘Chila’ (Principiano)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Principiano Chila Langhe FreisaFreisa is a fascinating grape that has contributed much to the wine culture of Piedmont. There would be no Barolo or Barbaresco if not for Freisa, as it and Nebbiolo have a parent-offspring relationship. Today Freisa offers a taste of old Piedmont. When tasting this dry red from Principiano you are tasting how a wine may have tasted in the 15th century. With lively aromatics of wild red fruits, crisp acidity, and spicy tannins, it will go splendidly with a beef stew and braised root vegetables.

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Villalar Oro
2009 Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon ‘Villalar Oro’ (La Mejorada)
Sale Price $16.99 – $173.30 case of twelve
La Mejorada Villalar Oro Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y LeonLocated in the Castilla y Leon region of Spain, the 15th-century monastery and vineyards of La Mejorada have been rehabilitated over the last fifteen years. The 2009 Villalar Oro is an organic Tempranillo that has been aged one year in French oak. Some wines are all about the fruit. This one is not. Although there are notes of tart cherries and blackberries, the real charm of this wine lies in its savory qualities. The nose offers soy sauce and bone broth and, after some time, even smoked meats. Flavors evoke bitter dark chocolate and black olives. The Villalar shows better if given time to open up. New aromas and flavors will emerge and its grained tannins will release their grip. As the wine is not filtered, there may be sediment. Enjoy with braised lamb shanks over polenta – or with a good old juicy burger.

Barbera
2011 Barbera d’Alba (Negro Lorenzo)
Sale Price $16.99 – $173.30 case of twelve
Negro Lorenzo Barbera dAlba Spreading out from the north bank of Piedmont’s Tanaro River, the Roero is known for its sandy soil rich with marine fossils, a legacy of the ancient sea that once covered the region. For generations the family behind Negro Lorenzo has been diligently producing their elegant and organic wines for the local town markets. Their 2011 Barbera d’Alba has seen no oak, making for a pure and bright expression of its fruit. Ripe black cherries stand out from a background of spices, including an intriguing touch of anise and cocoa. The freshness of this Barbera gives it a versatility that Barberas aged in oak do not always have. And since a beloved dish of the region is Bagna Cauda, it’s no accident that Barbera goes so well with it.

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Bedrock
Eighth Cuvée ‘Shebang!’ (Bedrock)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Bedrock Eighth Cuvée Shebang Morgan Twain-Peterson is the driving force behind Bedrock. It is not a surprise that he is a Zinfandel fanatic, as his father Joel Peterson founded Ravenswood. Like his father Morgan seeks out old vineyards throughout California and makes gutsy yet balanced wines from them. Shebang! is an entry-level red wine made from Zinfandel, Grenache, Alicante, Petite Syrah, and Sangiovese. Try this terrific red with your best meatloaf.

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Natural Tuscan
Campi Nuovi Montecucco Rosso 2011 Montecucco Rosso (Campi Nuovi) Sale Price $15.99 – $163.10 case of twelve
Montecucco may be Tuscany’s least known fine red wine area, but that can only lead to great values. Campi Nuovi succeeds by growing Sangiovese, Cabernet, and Merlot in cool higher-elevation vineyards. This leads to a fresh, lively, flavorful blend. Have this with a kale and bean-laden ribollita. Oh, and by the way – it’s organic.

Listed prices are honored through January 14th, 2015. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 39, No. 3

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Russian River and…
2012 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Pedroncelli)
Sale Price $15.99 – $163.10 case of twelve
Pedroncelli Russian River Valley Pinot NoirThe Pedroncelli winery, family-owned since 1927, produces some of the best value wines in California. Their 2012 Pinot Noir is elegant and medium-bodied, with delicate cherry fruit and a gentle oaky finish.

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Grand Muscadet
2010 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine ‘Butte de la Roche’ (Pierre Luneau-Papin)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Pierre Luneau-Papin Butte de la Roche Muscadet Sèvre et MaineFor those who do not believe that Muscadet can age we present this cuvée from Luneau-Papin. This vineyard site is composed of serpentine, a very old volcanic rock. This infuses the grape with a striking minerality, and in 2010 the Muscadet grapes achieved real ripeness, resulting in a full-bodied dry white. Have this rich Muscadet with a roasted monkfish with leeks and mushrooms.

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Napa Sauvignon
Honig Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc2013 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc (Honig)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
This may be the best value wine from Napa Valley. Honig’s 2013 Sauvignon Blanc is wonderfully balanced between ripe, round fruit and zesty crispness. This will match well with a smoky fish chowder.

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Ferreira Dona Antonia Reserva Tawny Porto8 Year Tawny
Reserva Tawny Porto ‘Dona Antonia’ (Ferreira)
Sale Price $17.99 – $194.30 case of twelve
The Dona Antonia Reserva Tawny is a great bargain. This nutty, figgy 8 year aged Tawny Porto is so smooth and generous that it is a balm to this nasty winter. Have some blue cheese and walnuts on hand for the total trans-Port-tation.

Equipo Navazos Fino Saca of MarchSuperb Fino
Fino ‘Saca of March 2014’ (Equipo Navazos)
Sale Price $14.99 per 375ml – $161.90 case of twelve
To put it simply, Fino Sherry is a great white wine, made great by utilizing the Palomino grape grown in pure chalk, the atmospheric flor of Jerez, and the solera aging system. Equipo Navazos sources their wines from old soleras and bottles them separately, creating especially intense wines. This Fino is totally dry in a sun-drenched, chalky way. Certainly use it as an aperitif with marcona almonds and some manchego, but do try it as a table wine with seafood.

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Olga!
2010 Chinon ‘Les Picasses’ (Olga Raffault)
Sale Price $21.99 – $224.30 case of twelve
Olga Raffault Les Picasses ChinonOur favorite Chinon is back in another great vintage. The 2010 Les Picasses from Olga Raffault is outstanding. This pure Cabernet Franc is aged for a year in big oak barrels and then in bottle for two years before release. While it will age well for many more years, its ripe blackberry fruit and spicy tannins drink well today. If you like Chinon, you’re in luck, as this is one of the best from a terrific winemaker for a very reasonable price.

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Table Beer
Mystic Saison Farmhouse Ale Table BeerSaison Farmhouse Ale (Mystic)
Sale Price $6.99 per 750ml - $79.99 case of twelve
Our friends across the Mystic in Chelsea have fashioned a delightful low-alcohol (4.5%), full-flavor Table Beer in the style of a Farmhouse Saison. This beer style began as a workers’ beer – a safe alternative to water that allowed work to continue after the midday meal. Today Mystic’s version is a great food beer to go along with spicy dishes or with an aged cheddar.

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Burgundy
2013 Bourgogne Pinot Noir (Closerie des Alisiers)
Sale Price $15.99 – $163.10 case of twelve
Closerie des Alisiers Bourgogne Pinot NoirYields in Burgundy have been feeble the last few vintages and as a result the wines have been expensive, which makes the 2013 from Closerie des Alisiers a very
pleasant surprise. Here we have a delicious, uncomplicated, fruity Pinot Noir with soft tannins and a crisp, dry finish.

Norton Barrel Select MalbecMalbec
2012 Malbec ‘Barrel Select’ (Norton)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Despite its extraordinary popularity, we are still careful in marketing Malbec. Norton is no newcomer. Founded in 1895, they have a deft style, balancing fruit and oak. The 2012 Barrel Select has savory tannins, mellow oak, and a smooth, fruity finish.

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Specialty Foods

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NEW! Somerville Chocolate
Assorted Flavors
$8.99 - $10.99  

Somerville Chocolate Started in 2012 as the nation’s first bean-to-bar chocolate CSA, Somerville Chocolate is now available in local shops! Our favorite is the Lapsong Souchocolate made from Cacao sourced from the Dominican Republic. It’s smoked over apple wood prior to refining and has a great mild smoke flavor with notes of raisin and a light fruitiness. Each bar is handsomely wrapped in a map of Somerville and makes for an excellent gift or indulgence. Other flavors we currently stock include: Hawaiian 70%, Nicaraguan 70%, and White Chocolate with Belize Cacao Nibs.

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Roquefort Gabriel Coulet $17.99 per lb. 
(Regular price $21.99)

Gabriel Coulet Roquefort cheese A great price on this impeccably pedigreed blue. The history of Gabriel Coulet takes us back to 1872 when Guilhaume Coulet unearthed a ‘Fleurine’ (a geological fault created millions of years ago and essential to the production of Roquefort) when digging out a wine cellar under his residence in Roquefort. A strong and juicy raw ewe’s milk cheese with the characteristic Penicillium roqueforti mold.

NEW! Big Picture Farm Goat Caramels
Assorted sizes
$ 0.99 - $9.99 

Big Picture Farm Goat Caramels cheese These superb Goat milk caramels come from a small hillside goat dairy, farmstead confectionary, and creamery located in southern Vermont. Founded in 2010 by Louisa Conrad and Lucas Farrell, Big Picture farm is animal-welfare-approved and dedicated to the health and happiness of their animals. Their goal is “spelled out in our name: To provide our customers with the rich context surrounding our products (aka ‘the big picture’).” Available in maple cream, Chai, cocoa latte, and sea salt and vanilla. Sold individually or in gift bags with charming drawings of the goats.

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Sternschnuppe $24.99 per lb.  Sternschnuppe cheese
(Regular price $25.99)

Sternschnuppe (German for “shooting star” or “meteor”) is an organic thermized cow’s milk cheese from the Käsküche Isny cheesemaking cooperative in the Allgau region of the Bavarian Alps. Created by Evelyn Wild who started off in the industry working on larger-scale raclette production, this is a smaller format washed-rind cheese with a golden-yellow paste speckled with eyes and fissures. Complex and meaty with a sweet nutty flavor.

Sale Dates

Our First Quarterly Sale of 2015 begins
Friday February 27st and runs through Sunday March 8th.

Details: 10% off six bottles; 20% off twelve bottles. Wines of the Month (back page), fortified wines (Port, Sherry, Vermouth, etc.) and sparkling wines may be included for a 10% discount. Blue tagged (NET) wines and jug wines (1.5L and 3L) are excluded.

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Wines of the Month — February 15, 2015 through March 14, 2015

Moulin de Gassac Moulin de Gassac

2013 Moulin de Gassac (Moulin de Gassac)
Sale Price $8.99 – $97.09 case of twelve
This full-on French dry white is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon, and Terret. Its floral, mineral, and earthy dryness will pair well with a braised chicken and rice dish.

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Santofimia Niel Almansa

2012 Almansa ‘Niel’ (Santofimia)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
This deep dark red based on Garnacha will pair well with a paella with chorizo or a dish of rice and beans.


La Linda Bonarda 2013 Bonarda (La Linda)
Sale Price $8.99 – $97.09 case of twelve
Bonarda is our new favorite from Argentina and La Linda makes a cherry-scented spicy delight. Have this with a spicy Bolognese or some nice lamb chops.

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Lamezia Statti2013 Lamezia (Statti)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
Statti’s Lamezia is a ripe, full flavored dry red from Calabria. The blend of Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, and Nerello Cappuccio is prime for spicy pasta dishes involving sausages and tomatoes.