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Prices effective through May 31st, 2012

Jamaica Plain741 Centre Street, Jamaica PlainPhone: 617-522-9300Revere286 American Legion Highway, ReverePhone: 781-289-5888West Roxbury418 LaGrange St., West RoxburyPhone: 617-327-1400* Marshfield 700 Plain Street (Rt. 139), MarshfieldPhone: 781-834-9068* Hyannis 167 Corporation Road, HyannisPhone: 508-790-4770

Fratelli OdderO BarBera d’asti ‘VinchiO d’asti’, italy

When we tasted it as a group there was unanimous agreement: This is great wine and great value. Only 500 cases produced of this extraordinary Barbera. The Oddero family lavish the same care on this wine as they do on their single-vineyard Barolos, with extreme selection of the grapes, and a slow fermentation. Vinchio is a south-facing vineyard with sixty year old vines, which gives wine of remarkable grace and lift. The fruit is finely-etched but rich in flavor, with a long finish. Receives rich wood treatment, but it is seamlessly integrated, and hardly apparent. 40% aged in barrique for 18 months, the rest in large oak barrels. Astonishingly pure and layered, try it with boar ragu, ginger and juniper berries with a side of creamy polenta.

$19.97

chateau les arqueys,BOrdeaux 2010, France

Jacques Chollet and his wife Sandra make this seductive wine in a charming vineyard some 50 miles east of the city of Bordeaux. Here they grow both vines and plums, with rare passion and enthusiasm. The village name of Sainte Gemme (Saint James) dates back to when this part of France was ruled by the English. And their specialty remains what the English used to call ‘luncheon claret’: unpretentious wine that is a delicious drink. The 2010 shows the bright, pure fruit of the vintage. It’s a classic blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Food match: grilled rib-eye steaks (or entrecote as the French call it), either with your favorite dry-rub or with a shallot-laced red wine reduction sauce bordelaise).

$8.97haut caBrière chardOnnay

PinOt nOir, FranschhOek, sOuth aFrica

It is certainly fair to state that we did not see this one coming: a white wine with Pinot Noir making up 40% of the blend, the remaining 60% being Chardonnay. This would be a classic champagne combo but unusual, in this case, because it is a still wine. The Pinot Noir is separated from its dark skins early in the wine-making process leaving a lovely onion-skin colored wine that is rich, full and elegant. There is real balance here with ample and refreshing citrus and apple fruit, a creamy mouth feel

and a pleasant mouth-watering zestiness on the finish. Try this wine, and we are sure that you will wonder why these two noble varieties, which complement each other so well, have been so rarely combined in still wines. Food match: roast chicken, veal or rich seafood dishes.

$12.97

castillO de Maluenda’s PuntO y cOMa Garnacha, sPain

Punto y Coma delicious 100% Garnacha is a soft and intense wine brimming with ripe fruit sourced from the 40-year-old estate’s vineyards. It is a highly concentrated wine with a cherry-red color. It has an intense nose and lots of ripe fruit. This wine is full bodied, with soft tannins, complex, nicely balanced, and fruit forward with a touch of mineral character. The lush black fruit and succulent concentration make this Punto y Coma ideal with most meats, braised dishes, pizzas, spicy dishes and lots more. Dense on the palate and remarkably rich for a wine at this price, this great value over-delivers big-time. The folks at The Wine Advocate say this sultry Spaniard “will deliver pleasure” – and we could not agree more.

$8.97

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kunde FaMily estate MaGnOlia lane sauViGnOn Blanc, sOnOMa Valley Family-owned and -operated for five generations, the 1850-acre Kunde Family Estate produces ultra-premium, 100% estate-grown

wines in northern California’s renowned Sonoma Valley. Of the 700 or so acres under vine, the Magnolia Lane label pays tribute both to their sustainably-grown Sauvignon Blanc plantings and also to the magnificent 100+ year old magnolia trees that border the Wildwood Vineyards Ranch entrance. This is 100% Sauvignon Blanc – but compiled of six clones including the Sauvignon Musque – grown on the estate, stainless steel fermented and sur-lie aged for 4 months. Bright, enticing citrus and flint notes beckon in the bouquet; crisp peach and tangerine components round out the full flavor profile. Food match: seafood fare, light salads, spring picnics.

$11.97

hedGes cMs red, cOluMBia Valley, WashinGtOn state

This is one of the most reliable red blends on the market today, and a wine with a certain pedigree as it has been bottled by the estate since 1987. Rich with dark fruits and plenty of underlying tannic structure, this blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah from Washington State may not be as soft and luxurious as the California blends, but it does have more complex aromatics and higher levels of tannins on the finish. This is not a fault in our eyes as a little backbone helps this wine pair with grilled meats and stews. The wine has a sweet nose with raspberries, blueberries, and plums and light hints of vanilla and tobacco. Medium bodied, the Hedges CMS brings a good dose of brambly fruits on the entry and finishes with some fat-cutting dusty tannins. As is true of many Columbia Valley reds, the wine offers a medium to long finish with notes of red fruits, dried herbs and minerals.

$10.97

BOrOli lanGhe rOssO anna,PiedMOnt, italy

The Boroli family settled in Piedmont in 1831 but didn’t dive into the wine business until the 1990s when Silvano, Elena and their four sons purchased Cascina Bompe in Alba and Cascina La Brunella in Barolo. Achille Boroli leads a talented management team consisting of Enzo Alluvione and his son Daniele as vineyard managers and enologist Beppe Caviola, Gambero Rosso’s “Winemaker of the Year” in 2002, as consultant. Cascina Bompe is a fifty-acre estate on a hill named Madonna di Como. This estate wine is a blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera and Merlot. Aged in steel and oak for six months, it retains the fruit and creates a rich structure. It is a vibrant cherry and raspberry scented red that pairs with a wide variety of food. Although it is not inexpensive it tastes like a more expensive wine with its broad flavors and smooth lush tannins. Try this wine with beef, pasta or takeout from West Roxbury’s new barbecue restaurant Red Eyed Pig.

$12.97

liBrandi, cirO BiancO, calaBria, italy

Chances are you have tried a few Italian wines from the heel of the boot (Puglia), but fine wines from Calabria (the toe) are few and far between in the American market. Based in the Ciro DOC on the Ionian shores of Calabria, Librandi is one of the few exceptions. Committed to preserving the heritage of their ancient viticultural zone, Librandi makes a host of wines from otherwise obscure indigenous grape varieties. Their Ciro Bianco, for example, comes from the Greco Bianco, ostensibly a grape brought over from Greece in ancient times. Aromatically redolent of stone fruits, citrus and hints of herbs, texturally soft yet dry and crisp on the finish, this is the perfect wine to usher in warmer weather and to welcome company at the table. It will be an excellent foil for lighter dishes that are heavy on garlic; falafel, baba ghanoush, ratatouille and grilled octopus also come to mind.

$9.97

PierOPan sOaVe, italy

Pieropan is possibly the best producer of Soave – a frequently underappreciated white wine category. In the 1970s and 1980s millions of gallons of uninspiring wine sold under the name Soave (a region surrounding the city of Verona). Of course, its image suffered: however, the Pieropan family notably continued to make luxurious wines of impeccable quality. Established in 1890 by Leonildo Pieropan, it is now guided by his two great grandsons Andrea and Dario. Utilizing both low yields and a rigorous selection process, these “two gentlemen of Verona” work vines ranging from six to sixty years of age. Their blend of 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave possesses real pith, expressing both the freshness of the fruit and the vines’ characteristically volcanic soils. So, when a new lower retail price became available, we pounced. This sun-kissed white has peach and apricot notes in its bouquet which repeat with even greater emphasis on the palate and sustain on a bright, refreshing finish. Food match: fish and chicken dishes or heavily spiced foods like Indian or Mexican cuisine.

$14.97

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uMBria rOssO Perticaia, italyThe Perticaia estate lies in the valley below the majestic

hilltown of Montefalco in the heart of central Umbria’s wild and beautiful wine country. Their Umbria Rosso blends Sangiovese with 10% each Colorino and Merlot, all estate-grown. Fresh and overwhelmingly juicy, with flavors of blackberry and cherry, highlighted by a shake of black pepper and chewy tannins. Very natural and pure; ripe, soft, fine-grained texture; undemanding yet still solid, chewy, structured; spicy and complex; fermented on the skins (for the structure, without relying on the often bastardizing influence of wood); vinified in steel; refined for 9 months – 6 in steel and 3 in bottle before release – i.e. NO WOOD – preserving and exalting the real fruit aromas and flavors, particularly the dark cherry which is what Sangiovese of this area is all about. Renowned among other culinary items for their black truffles, dark green olive oils, and the tiny lentils grown near Castellucio, Umbrians savor this wine with roast squab or boar. We should all do the same.

$11.97

FalanGhina Guardia sanFraMOndi,aia dei cOlOMBi, caMPania, italy

After the Roman conquest of modern-day Campania (the “shin” of the Italian peninsula), wines such as Falernium, the original Falanghina, became legends of the republic and the empire. Today, Aia dei Colombi – a small family estate founded in 2002 – seems well on its way to leapfrogging this underappreciated varietal back into full public view. Thanks to the Pascale family (first Michele, then his sons, Marcello and Gaetano), we now can enjoy a modern wine with a real sense of place. High in the hinterland east of Naples, on the steep slopes of an extinct volcano that straddle two communes northwest of Benevento – Guardia Sanframondi and Castelvenere – they’ve managed to coax, conjure and cajole a white wine with pronounced aromatics, minerality, refreshing acidity, rich texture and ripe fruit – mouth-filling but not heavy. Its full-bodied palate of peach and white plum fruit – as well as its long, dry finish – makes it suitable for the wealth of seafood consumed from the Bay of Naples, naturally, but also for white pizza Napoletena. Fermented in stainless steel and refined in steel for another five months before release – in other words, no wood – only an average of 800 cases of this Falanghina are made each year.

$12.97

Jean Paul Brun, chardOnnay, BeauJOlais Blanc, France

Everybody knows Beaujolais but usually only in the form of Nouveau, the red wine from the Gamay grape that tastes like fruity bubble gum and comes out every year in November, replete with a flashy label and fresh marketing campaign. Then, there are those who know red Beaujolais for its apotheosis – the 10 crus permitted to print their village of origin on the front label – whose number constitutes a fast-growing legion of fans. But initiates to the pleasure of fine white Beaujolais are likely few and far between. Not much gets made and, in consequence, Beaujolais Blancs fly well below the radar. Leave it to Jean-Paul Brun to put one squarely on the map. Sourced from limestone-rich soils, Brun’s Blanc boasts a palate full of pear, apple and lemon flavors with subtle hints of spring flowers. No butter or toast in this un-oaked Chardonnay: it is all about freshness and discretion. Food match: fettucine and chicken in a lemon thyme cream sauce or a simple baked scrod.

$13.97

cOluMBia crest, hOrse heaVen hills, h3 MerlOt, WashinGtOn state

Washington State – so it would seem by our lights – may have far more promise to revive the Merlot grape’s critical acclaim than California. There are fine examples from both to be sure, but those from Washington have an uncanny ability to arrive quite reasonably priced, while those of comparable quality from California command considerably higher prices. Columbia Crest’s offering layers dark fruit, chocolate and spice to make a full-bodied Merlot that’s both complex and friendly. Despite this flamboyance, the wine maintains its poise with a structure of acid and tannin that kicks in to balance the finish. Though this Merlot has noticeable weight, its tannins are soft, making it quite versatile for the table; aside from classic pairings with meat, it will be amenable to heartier vegetarian fare such as roasted root vegetables, mushroom casserole or veggie enchiladas with some mole poblano.

$12.97

santadi, cariGnanO del sulcis, “GrOtta rOssa,” sardiniaFounded in 1960 and located on the southwestern coastal area of Sardinia known as Sulcis, Santadi winery stands at the forefront

of Italy’s postmodern viticultural renaissance, due in no small part to the consulting expertise of Giacomo Tachis, creator of Antinori’s ‘Super Tuscan’ stars. Oft’ maligned or ignored, the Carignano grape – known as Cariñena in Spain and Carignan in France – in the right hands makes a sleek and elegant wine. With intense berry, complex spice and subtle floral aromas, Santadi’s Grotta Rossa dispels any notions of the grape’s inherent inferiority. Meanwhile, the natives enjoy Grotta Rossa with pane frattau – their thinly sliced shepherd’s bread topped with a fried egg and tomato sauce – and the smoked, spicy and sharp cheese known as Fiore Sardo.

$12.97

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WeinGut dr herMann rieslinG qBa, MOsel, GerMany

After approximately four hundred years in the wine business, Rudi and Christian Hermann’s family has deep roots in the Mosel region of Germany. The estate, however, was created in 1967 from the larger JJ Christoffel Erben property in the town of Urzig. The vineyards are on the steep slope of the valley and must be harvested by hand in several sweeps to select only the ripest grapes throughout the sixteen acres of vineyards in Treppchen, Pralat and Wurzgarten. This finely handcrafted wine reminds us that great Riesling, no less than high quality Chardonnay, has a balance of fruit and acid. Here, a fragrant apple and peach nose and bright citrus flavors are supported by the slate stone minerality in the finish. Another classic example of terroir, this wine tastes like where it comes from. In a world of mass production and simple, ripe flavors, we salute the Hermanns for this Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiet (“quality wine from a specified region”). Zum wohl!

$13.97

dOMaine de laBelle Blanc, saBles FauVes, iGP terrOirs landais, France

This is a truly delightful wine: refreshing, vibrant, spring-like and coming from an area of France - Gascony - best known for its Armagnac brandies. Sables Fauves is a named vineyard area of the IGP Terroirs Landais in south-western France. The sables fauves means literally ‘tawny sands’ and refers to the 14 million year old Miocene marine deposits which underlie the vineyards in this area. These iron-rich sands are believed to contribute significantly to the quality of the region’s wine and brandy. An eclectic blend of 30% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Colombard, 20% Ugni Blanc, 10% Gros Manseng and 10% Chardonnay, this wine beautifully expresses the minerality of the Sables Fauves soil, with added fruit and floral notes. Lively, fresh and bold; this wine awakens the taste buds as an aperitif, and pairs well at dinner with shellfish, fish, white meats and grilled vegetables drizzled with olive oil.

$8.99

riO Madre GracianO, riOJa, sPain

This is one of the best values we have found in a very long time. The Graciano grape is very rare in the world. Oz Clarke’s Encyclopedia of Grapes states that only 1000 acres of Rioja’s 125,000 acres of vineyards is planted to Graciano vines although that number continues to rise. It is a difficult grape to grow. It buds late, is susceptible to mildew and does not yield a lot of fruit. It also does not enjoy above average summer heat. It is usually blended with Tempranillo-based wines to add a floral dimension like Petit Verdot is used in Bordeaux to add a bit of complexity. Cuné, Artadi and La Rioja Alta make beautiful majority-based Graciano that sell for around forty dollars and up. That is what is amazing about this wine by Bodegas Ilurce’s Escudero family. Their vineyards near the town of Alfaro produce great fruit and they released this new label imported by Dedham’s own Spanish wine expert Jorge Ordoñez. This medium-bodied, licorice and violet scented wine exudes blackberry and cherry flavors. The clean finish is bright and assertive. This red over-delivers for the money and is so cheap we recommend you buy two at a time.

$10.97

PaOlO scaVinO dOlcettO d’alBa, PieMOnte, italy

This is the second wine from the venerable Paolo Scavino Winery to earn a spot in a Blanchard’s Newsletter. Founded in 1921 by Paolo Scavino, today, grandson Enrico runs the winery with the help of his daughters Enrica and Elisa. The Scavino winery is rare in their possession of grand cru’s in six of the eleven villages of Barolo spread over the historic Langhe hills. 2012 marks Enrico’s 62nd year as winemaker and over that span he has created unique concepts in both the vineyards and cellar that trademark the purity, elegance and freshness. Their wine made from Dolcetto – the “little sweet one” – is a portrait of simplicity, a mark of the territory, and a wine of the people. Traditionally harvested from the lower portion of the Fiasco and Vignolo vineyards in Castiglione Falletto, this wine dates back to the winery’s beginning. Fermented and aged in steel tanks, this nicely structured Dolcetto displays a good balance of black fruit and minerals, medium body with a velvety texture and a clean finish. Food match: veal and sage meatballs with pasta served in a walnut and gorgonzola sauce.

$16.97

McManis Petite sirah, caliFOrnia

Despite an unpromising start in its land of origin (France), the Petite Sirah grape – aka Durif – blossomed in California as a favorite component of many a Depression Era field blend for its deep color and hearty tannins. But, during the 60’s, single-varietal Petite Sirahs got taken up in earnest, attaining an almost cult-like status among an ever-burgeoning fan base. Ron and Jamie McManis, who jumped into what’s known as California’s “Northern Interior” in 1990, demonstrate why the love affair with this grape endures. Fermented for 7-9 days, and aged in French and American oak for 4 months, the wine is vivid purple, full-flavored, rich and substantial – with lively flavors of boysenberry, blackberry and cassis, and hints of hazelnut and toffee in the bouquet. Food match: Tex-Mex cuisine, sweetbreads with mushrooms, dark chocolate desserts.

$8.97

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standinG stOne rieslinG, FinGer lakes, neW yOrk

Careful readers of our newsletters know that we have been featuring more wines from New York’s Finger Lakes. New wineries are setting down roots in this old wine-growing region and as their production and quality goes up we will continue to feature them. The latest example is Marti and Tim Machinski’s Standing Stone Winery of southern Seneca Lake. The vineyard was first planted by The Gold Seal Winery in 1972 and now produces the impressive wine we feature here. Riesling has always thrived in the cool climates of Washington State and New York, retaining acidity while producing a wide array of fresh fruit flavors. Standing Stone Riesling has a beautiful golden color and a nose of apples, peaches and honey. Lightly sweet, this wine emblemizes Spring. Food match: grillables, diverse cheeses and Asian food.

$9.97

cerulli sPinOzzi “tOrre MiGliOri” MOntePulcianO d’aBruzzO, italy

To be sure, there’s plenty of quite good DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo already delivering great “bang for the buck.” Then, there’s the “Torre Migliori” made by the Cerulli family which has lead the charge to the next highest quality level in the Abruzzo’s only DOCG sub-zone – Colline Teramane (the Teramane Hills). After designing a state-of-art gravity-flow winery and assembling a first rate wine team, including Franco Bernabei and Paolo Faccin, the Cerulli team has also elected to follow the principles of organic farming, to increase the density of its plantings in order to decrease yields and to hand-harvest. The results are spectacular: ruby red in color with tinges of purple, the nose is very intense – full of rich aromas of blackberries, black currants and an earthy, mushroomy quality. The wine’s supple tannic structure is balanced by vibrant acidity and an unexpected freshness that leads to wonderful fruity notes. Take a sip of this intense and polished wine and feel the passion that went into it.

$13.97

JOsePh cattin PinOt Gris, alsace, France

Some of the inexpensive luxuries still available in the wine world are the noble grape varieties of Alsace. These aristocratic wines have been sought after for hundreds of years and continue to over-deliver in today’s market. The Cattin family settled in the town of Voegtlishoffen in 1720, leaving behind their native Switzerland. Today, brothers Jacques and Jean Cattin run their totally modern 125-acre estate and purchase the best grapes from another 500 acres owned by their neighbors. This 100% Pinot Gris is planted on the eastern foothills of the Vosges Mountains protected from the fierce North Atlantic winds. The brothers harvest their grapes by hand from vines, some as old as 60 years. The grapes are pressed and then gravity fed into temperature-controlled tanks in the cellar below. The resulting wine possesses a rich golden color and an aromatic nose of apricot, vanilla, cinnamon and tangerine. Rich without being heavy, try this smoky, smooth white with swordfish or lamb. Not having beer with your Indian food? Try this Pinot Gris instead!

$11.97

Masi “PassO dOBle” MalBec/cOrVina, tuPunGatO, arGentina

Hugh Johnson, Dean of British wine writers, has saluted Masi’s Italian wine portfolio as “a touchstone for Veronese wines.” How, then, do we account for their “Tupungato” Argentinean profile? In a word – and a grape: Malbec. Blended most frequently by Argentineans with another Italian varietal, Bonarda, here the mix is 70% Malbec with 30% Corvina (the Veronese native) in a new winemaking project for Masi sourced from “La Arboleda” vineyards, 1000 metres above sea-level in the scenic Tupungato Valley. Masi’s long experience with the ripasso method of course is also brought to bear: the once fermented juice is re-passed over some of the dried grape skins, adding color, structure and viscosity through a second fermentation – thus, the “passo doble” or double pass. The result – a marriage of “Argentinean soul” with “Venetian Style” – seems riper and more voluptuous than its European ripasso counterpart. Plum dominates the bouquet, although a deeper morello cherry and prune ring through on the palate as well. Food match: grilled game dishes with Sherry sauce.

$11.97

BOdeGas Valdesil MOntenOVO GOdellO, ValdeOrras, sPain

Over three generations, various pioneering members of the Prada family have chosen specific sites to plant the indigenous white wine grape for which their passion abounds: Godello (go-DAY-yo). Some vines went to high slatey hillsides; others, to a mix of sandy and granitic soils. Today, Godello makes its Blanchards Newsletter debut with their “Montenovo” offering. Blended with selected grapes from different parts of Valdeorras – the “Valley of Gold” – such as Rubiá, A Rứa, Larouco and Petin, all in northern Spain’s Galicia region, Montenovo delivers mineral-accented aromas of orange and citrus zest together with grace notes of jasmine and white pepper. Food match: Vieiras al Gallego (sea scallops baked Galician-style).

$10.97

418 LaGrange StreetWest Roxbury, MA 02132Address service requested

Spring is around the corner and we offer many exceptional wines from our latest tastings. We sipped wines from around the world but those of one country stood head and shoulders over everyone else’s: Italy, which claimed an unprecedented ten wines in our newsletter. From Prosecco in the north to Abruzzo in the south we found incredible wines. They are not all inexpensive but they represent great values compared to many other wine regions we sampled. This year we have expanded our selection of Italian wines and will continue to do so. The diversity of wines from this country is staggering. Over 2,000 varieties have been recognized to date. We look forward to selling wines from Etna Rosso and Umbria. The world does not stop at Italy though. Spain still continues to shine at our tasting and two varietals, Graciano and Godello captivated us with their perfume and supple structures. Spring is also when we receive the last of our 2009 Bordeaux. This classic vintage is starting to disappear so we urge you to do your research and purchase now as opposed to later. The good news is that 2010 is another very good vintage and we have a petite chateau rouge to sell in this newsletter. We wish everyone a wonderful long spring before we get into the heat of summer.

Dear Valued Wine Customers

The Blanchards Wine Team

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Please note: All bottles are 750ml unless otherwise specified.Not responsible for typographical errors.We reserve the right to limit quantities.Visa, Master Card, and American Express accepted.All Blanchards’ distributors are individually owned.

Blanchards’ GrandWine tastinG schedule:

Wednesday, March 21st — Jamaica Plain 6 - 9 PM

Wednesday, April 18th — Revere 6 - 9 PM

Wednesday, April 25th — West Roxbury 6 - 9 PM

Thursday, May 3rd — Marshfield 6 - 9 PM

Complimentary Hors d’Oeuvres

PrOseccO ValdOBBiadene Frizzante ‘sur lie’ adrianO adaMi, italy

The winemaking tradition of the Adami family traces back to 1920. Now, jointly, brothers Armando and Franco, both of whom hold degrees from Italy’s most prestigious viticultural and winemaking program at the Institute of Conegliano, make eight different versions of Prosecco. This one, the Frizzante Sur Lie, is unique. Frizzante (lively) not only describes a moderately sparkling wine but also implies pungent, cutting or piquant, all adjectives that describe this wine well. Its unique characteristics begin with its bread crust aroma and, owing to the absence of residual sugar, it is bone-dry and absolutely refreshing (if somewhat shocking to the uninitiated.) Sur lie means the wine has been fermented and refined on the ‘noble sediments’, the lees, for its first fermentation, and is not filtered, then the wine, with its lees still present, is re-fermented in the bottle in the springtime according to a method used for many generations in the hills of Treviso but rare today, which explains the ‘cloudy’, cider-like aspect of the wine. It is a popular food wine in the area – served particularly with fish, and mushroom or vegetable risottos. $15.97