The Wines of This Week's Tasting:
New Arrivals, Good Values, Two Better-than-Excellent Wines
March 26, 2025
White
2023 Cantine Colossi Grillo Sicilia Superiore
You can find many bargain-priced zesty, fun Grillos This one is that but also complex with a better balance of minerality. The wine is a joy as the citrus, spice and tropical fruit come
bursting out the glass and onto the palate. From first sip to the finish this wine simply delivers.
Aroma: Lemon and orange blossoms, spiced potpourri, herbal tea, and marzipan make this such a warm inviting wine. Mouth: combination of freshness, minerality and sweetness. Fleshy mouthfeel and round texture, Meyer lemon, tangerine and tropical fruit
predominate, crushed stone minerality, balanced acidity and saline finish. Harmonious,
fresh, and elegantly soft. Ideal with seafood, shellfish, pasta, and delicate
cheeses. Very Good Plus $16.99, Case $14.99
2022 Les Perelles Macon-Chaintre
We just received last five cases of this classically styled Macon Chardonnay from a very reputable co-op. It is a bargain that might not be repeated. It is lighter-bodied, clean, and crisp,
What makes it special, better-than-average character at a below average price
Aroma: Mineral, intense, firm, heady and intense firm; Mouth: Clean, rounded mineral, firm and broad, long; Very Good Plus Was 23.99, Now $19.99; Case, $16.99
2023 Curveux Pouilly-Fuisse Les Vignes Blanches 1er Cru
We quickly sold out of the 2022 Curveux Menestrieres that we offered last week, but on the same container was a limited quantity of the this wine his other 1er cru. It is spectacular with the difficult-to-describe savory quality that people loved about the Menestrieres. it was evident despite a wine’s “seasickness,” the temporarily suppressed fruit from its ocean voyage
The best I can do to describe the flavor is granite melded with smoke and a subdued touch of spearmint or menthol
I am enthusiastic about the wine, and am buying some for myself. I strongly recommend it. Even with the recent weakening of the dollar, we can still offer it at the same price as the 2022 Menestrieres. It is still the best deal in premier cru white burgundy we have come across.
What makes it special; The above - You’ll know on first taste.
Aroma: medium dark, heady full, spicy bright acid; Mouth: rich dense and mouth filling, firm, bright acid behind an arresting and powerful melding of mineral, grape spice and wood good concentration, very good flavors; Excellent(Plus?) $45; Case, $435, $38.25 Len
Red
2019 Chateau de Ribebon, Bordeaux Superieur
It’s owned and made by the well-known St. Emilion Château Couspaude. Located in the Entre Deux Mers, it has a quality intensity much greater than its price. then 2019 need some air to really show. It will hold to a second day. 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
What makes it special, smooth solid depth at a price American cab can’t match
Color: more than dark semi opaque; Aroma: rich, heady, rather deep, classic young Merlot Cabernet with a touch of spice; Mouth: clean smooth, low toned sweet fruit nicely balanced with fine acid, long fine tannins, very nice structure, and balance, now with air over the next three years; Very Good Plus $17.99; Case, $14.99 5 cases only
2020 Bodega Lanzaga Rioja LZ
We wanted this wine to be in our Tempranillo tasting last month, but it arrived too late. It shouldn’t be missed
Telmo Rodriguez gained fame as the proprietor of the Remelluri estate in Rioja. For years, he has been on a mission to reform the perception and focus of Spanish wine, which, In Rioja, meant going back to the time when wines were made and named as expressions of terroir.
Bodega Lanzaga is his newer project in Rioja. The property has very select old vineyards in the Lanciego zone of Rioja Alevesa. Telmo considers the 2020 LZ Rioja a village wine. It's a field blend of mostly tempranillo with some Garnacha and Graciano. Done in a more modern style
Organic with spontaneous fermentation, no new oak, and neither fined nor filtered. They are pure expressions of the hills where they grow. To express terroir. In the year we have had it has gained a devoted following among a group of our customers.
What makes it special: Deep ruby. Freshness and purity, concentration, and complexity. No oak. Forest berries, orange zest, white pepper, and a touch of earth. Very Good - Excellent 24.99/ Case: 20.99
2020 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva
A seamless blend of 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo & Colorino shows remarkably well from the start but has much potential to age. whichever you ‘ll be rewarded with a wine that over delivers.
Aroma: Dark cherry, plum, liquorice, spice, leather, lavender, and tobacco run through this wonderfully nuanced and vibrant Riserva. Mouth: Dark brambly berries,
fresh bing cherry and blood orange, cedar spice box, balsamic notes, and then
wild herbs. It is surprisingly expressive and open even at this stage and
will continue to drink well for the years. Excellent $35, Case $29.99
Mix your own case, any 12 bottles at their case prices
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
- Len Rothenberg
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