The Wines of This Week's Tasting:
Two Tastings, One Low Price - Free
August 2, 2017
France
White
2016 Alphonse Mellot Sancerre La Moussiere; Aroma: heady rather dense mineral, clean acidity ; Mouth: fleshy full, fat ripe fruit ripe lemon grapefruit, rich, a melon note, good drive; Very Good - Excellent 32; Mixed Case, 28.8; Case, 27.2
2014 Decelle-Villa Meursault Nose, pears and baking spice, nice underlying wood. Mouth Pear again with strong wood notes, Creamy texture, a nice combination of richness and verve, balanced and complete Very Good - Excellent $55; Mixed Case, 49.5; Case, 46.75
2012 Mas Amiel Altair Blanc Bettane & Desseauve "A remarkable success which reflects the spice and honey notes of the Maccabeu grape but with power, foundation and length. This is exactly the sort of wine that makes us optimistic about the appellation."
$32; Mixed Case, 28.8; Case, 27.2
Rose
2016 Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Moussiere Rose; Color: very pale orange pink; Aroma: light fresh clean , very pretty fine, finely elegant rather rich; Mouth: subdued ripe notes, rather full, pretty & fine, satisfying ripe dark fruit focussed structure; Very Good Plus 27.99; Mixed Case, 25.19; Case, 23.79
Red
2009 Ch. Jean Faure Bettane "Black fruit embellished with floral touches, elegant and fresh in the mouth,very much in the Cheval Blanc style."
Robert Parker "Roasted herbs that remind me of Provence intermixed with sweet kirsch, damp earth, spice box and a hint of background oak jump from the glass of this dense, plum/ruby/purple-colored wine. Ripe, low in acidity, nicely textured and round, this is another wine to drink over the next decade."
$59; Mixed Case, 53.10; Case, 50.15
Fortified
2010 Mas Amiel " Cassis, forest floor and tobacco evoke an almost Bordeaux-Cabernet nose. The mouth also invokes cigar, very smoky a little drawing founded in beautiful equilibrium of oriental spices. This is excellent Maury."
$39; Mixed Case, 35.10; Case, 33.15
Meursault arrives on Friday; Jean Faure and Mas Amiel wines arrive in two weeks.
Italy
White
2015 Negro Lorenzo Roero Arneis: Deep straw, gold highlights. Aromas and flavors of ripe pear, apple, apricot and almond with a jazz note of citrus. Very Good Plus 21; Mixed Case, 18.9; Case, 17.85
Sparkling
2011 Negro Lorenzo Roero Arneis Spumante: Bright straw. Pear and lime dominate with crisp balancing acidity and dried flowers. Persistent small bubbles and clean finish. Very Good Plus Plus 32/bottle
Red
2015 Negro Lorenzo Langhe Dolcetto: Deep ruby, purple highlights. Juicy and earthy aromas and flavors with a touch of very pleasant bitterness in the finish with moderate tannin. Very Good Plus 21; Mixed Case, 18.9; Case, 17.85
2009 Negro Lorenzo Barbera d’Alba Superiore La Nanda: Deep ruby. Rich plum fruit, moderate spice and bright acidity. Full body with layered texture and balanced finish. Very Very Good Plus 26.99; Mixed Case, 24.29; Case, 22.94
2009 Negro Lorenzo Bonarda/Nebbiolo Riserva l’Arbesca: Bright ruby. Violets, cherries and spice with an overlay of white flowers, black pepper and sweet almond. Medium to full body and long finish. Very Good Plus Plus 26.99; Mixed Case, 24.29; Case, 22.94
2009 Negro Lorenzo Roero Nebbiolo Riserva San Lorenzo: Bright ruby. Classic aromas of roses, dark cherry and spice with a pleasant deep silky tannin structure. Very long balanced finish. Ready now and will continue to age well. Very Good to Excellent
29.99; Mixed Case, 26.99; Case, 25.49
All wines from both tastings will assort for 15% off on 12 bottles or more, 10% off on 6 to 11 bottles.
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
