Federal Wine & Spirits

29 State Street, Boston, MA 02109

This Week's Tasting:

Rich Rhone Reds

February 22, 2012

The flavors are rich the wines heady and succulent, fuller and headier than the wines of the south west below, redolent of earth and Provencal herbs. In the southern Rhone, Grenache is king, although Syrah added in gives it punch with a purple tint; Mourvedre brings a dusty herbal spice; Carignan a defining edge - the list could go on through nine more permitted varieties, each adding to the panoply of flavors. (Continue reading)

Last Week's Tasting:

South by Southwest

February 15, 2012

Wow, what a range of different flavors,” was one tasters dead-on reaction. It was definitely not your average collection of wines, which intrigued some tasters and while it put off some others with less adventurous palates. The gustatorily timid need not apply. One they had warmed up a bit nearly everybody liked the creamy-textured, herbal (Continue reading)

Federal offers free tastings every week. 2012 Winner of Icons of Whisky Award

Boston's premier wine shop, offering an 8,000 bottle cellar of fine and rare wines from around the world. Join us for our free tastings Wednesdays, 5 - 7 pm.

We also carry a full line of spirits, ales and beers for all tastes and budgets, including a splendid selection of single malt Scotch. Voted one of Whisky Magazine's "Icons of Whisky": 2011 and 2012 Scotch Retailer of the Year, USA.

Past Tastings

Nicolas Potel and his 2009 Bellene Burgundies - February 9th

“They are classic in the best sense of the term.” - Alan Meadows, Burghound
The wines, what we said, what the tasters thought

New American Wines at Good Prices - February 1st

Is Merlot back? You certainly would think so from some of the tasters' comments last week.
The wines, what we said, what the tasters thought

2009 Bordeaux - January 25th

Most important: we opened the reds except for the du Pin five hours before the tasting.
The wines, what we said, what the tasters thought

Reds from Two Sides of the Andes - January 18th

All of last week's wines proved to be hearty and therefore, a good fit for a cold New England evening with a heavy meal.
The wines, what we said, what the tasters thought

New & Notable

2007 Brunello di Montalcino Offer

Balanced Richness

A Tale of two Barberas

2008 Braida Barbera d’Asti Bricco dell’Uccelloni

2009 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico...Quiet Perfection

Peter Hemenway in Tuscany

Valdicava: Spirito di un Territorio Unico, The Best of the Best

Peter Hemenway in Montepulciano

2006 Rosso Conero Riserva Sassi Neri and 2007 Marche Rosso Chaos

Peter Hemenway in Montepulciano: Fattoria Le Terrazze

2008 and 2006 Sottimano Barbaresco

Classic Gems Newly Available

2007 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon

A High End Napa on Sale

2009 Clos St. Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Combe des Fous

The Triumph of the Fools

2008 Dominus

Robert Parker found it nigh unto perfect:

Fontodi Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Peter writes: "We have sourced another fantastic olive oil."

2006 Philippe Bornard Cotes du Jura Les Chassagnes, ouille;

An Exotic French Mountain Wine

2008 Buoncristiani Malbec

There are some wines that help redefine your idea of a grape.

Upcoming Events

March 1st: Marc de Grazia Dinner

Boston Wine Festival

Single Malt Scotch

A Precious Scotch to Share and Savor

Old Malt Cask Glen Grant 30 Y.O., plus Nth Whisky Show in Las Vegas

Joe has some treats coming:

Up soon - new Single Malt Scotch offerings at great prices.


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