Now...that's what I'm talking about!

ALL ITALIAN WINE TASTING THIS SATURDAY!

AT THE STORE'S TASTING BAR FROM NOON TO 4PM

In this newsletter-

06 FONTODI CHIANTI CLASSICO!

06 FONTODI FLACCIANELLO

Dear Wine Friend,

It was the beginning of March earlier this year when I went "GA GA" over a bottle of the 2006 Felsina Chianti Classico. Click on this archive . I had no expectations as this was the first Tuscan red I had tasted from the 2006 vintage. The wine's beautiful fruit and structure left me mesmerized, but more importantly, it alerted me to the potential greatness of the 2006 vintage for all of Tuscany.

Since then, the critics have spoken -

Wine Spectator editor for Italian wines, James Suckling

recently rated the 2006 vintage in Chianti Classico 96 points - "Growers who kept grape crop levels low made racy, rich and wonderful wines. Best since 1997". Ditto! Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated the 2006 vintage in Chianti Classico at 96 points.

Regretfully, because the insufferable, insipid "straw flask" versions of Chianti Classico still plague Mom & Pop pizza parlors, grocery aisles, and the big box chain wine stores (yawn!), many consumers with limited exposure to Chianti Classico continue to misunderstand this region's ability to produce serious wines. Sangiovese's lack of success in the Cal-Ital movement has not helped remove the "Chianti" stigma either.

The 06 Felsina is long gone, but if you've been down to the store, then you know I have been offering a steady stream of the best of 2006 Chianti Classico and SuperTuscans!

The 2006 Fontodi Chianti Classico raises the bar for all, as its aromatics dazzle with spice box, floral, and mineral earthiness. The wine possesses amazing fruit ripeness to acid balance. Pure, fresh and vibrant! A wine for the carnivore, and NOT your Mama Mia's pasta wine! A thrilling Chianti Classico that speaks volumes about the quality of Fontodi's upper tier wines; Sorbo and Flaccianello (A strong contender for the soon-to-be announced Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year).

What other critics are saying about the 2006 Fontodi Chianti Classico -

"It is a big, super-ripe Chianti that captures all of the best qualities of the vintage in its super-ripe fruit and beautifully defined aromatics. This is a serious, structured Chianti that can be enjoyed now, but that also has the stuffing to age gracefully for years. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016." - Wine Advocate

"Beautiful aromas of rich plum and black cherry follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a long, rich finish...." - Wine Spectator

This Saturday you will be able to sample the magic of one of my favorite Chianti Classico producers. Yes, the glorious 2006 Fontodi Chianti Classico will be included in an ALL ITALIAN TASTING FROM NOON TO 4PM. The $10 tasting fee per person is waived with any $20 in store purchase on Saturday.

Fontodi Chianti Classico should be $37.95 a bottle.

Now priced at only $33.95 a bottle.

ORDER THRU SATURDAY AT JUST $30.95!

BONUS!

ORDER 6+ BOTTLES AT @ $28.95

ATTENTION COLLECTORS!

06 Flaccianello

Fontodi's top tier 06 Flaccianello is a very strong contender for Wine Spectator's soon-to-be announced #1 Wine of the Year! The word is out and prices are already on the rise.

"Shows excellent color and richness for a Sangiovese, with aromas of sultana, coffee, toasty oak and vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with masses of fruit and chewy tannins. The concentration and depth of fruit and layers of tannins are breathtaking. A blockbuster. Best after 2014...." 99 points - Wine Spectator

VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY!

ORDER NOW AT $159.95 A BOTTLE!

"The 2006 Flaccianello della Pieve (Sangiovese) is just as extraordinary as it was when I tasted it from barrel. This spectacularly ripe and concentrated wine reveals masses of dark cherries, plums, licorice, smoke, violets, French oak and minerals that coat the palate with extraordinary richness. The wine possesses plenty of structure, but the sheer density of the fruit provides stunning balance. The 2006 Flaccianello is one of the more primary wines of the vintage, and it will require considerable patience. Flaccianello continues to prove that Panzano's Conca d'Oro is one of the most privileged spots for Sangiovese in Tuscany. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026."

- 96 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (01/09)