The Wines of This Week's Tasting:
Wines for the Feast
November 4, 2026
White
Roland Laventureaux Chablis Grand Cru Bougros
This sells for $150 in the rest of the country. We made a super sweet deal for this dry and very rich white wine which will go with many more things than just oysters
Vinous “. Has a very small reduction on the nose, but there is clearly complex fruit beneath that. This has plenty of mineralité and energy. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with crisp acidity and lovely poise. It shows up as one of two other Bougros that were tasted blind. It is very persistent on the finish and should age with style. The 2023 is superb.”
$85, Case $73
2024 Bevan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc
Color: golden slight haze; Aroma: fresh rather fresh citric, grapefruit, rather pretty, grapefruit pith; Mouth: clean and rich, full textured, deep, fine acid, deep full tactile, very long lingering and sweet intense, very rich; Excellent
$58; Case, $49
Red
2022 G.D. Vajra ‘Albe’ Barolo
Skillfully blended from three Barolo cru vineyards, this harmonious Nebbiolo provides immediate enjoyment. The spot-on balance of fruit, nuance and complexity is something you do not find often at this price. Incredible value.
Aroma: Ripe raspberries, red cherry, dried rose petals, fresh mint, sweet spices and autumn leaves. Mouth: Medium body, silky and supple tannins, vibrant red berry fruit, orange peel, mint, tobacco, balanced acidity and a satisfying finish. The wine will continue to improve over the next 5 years. Excellent
$45, Case $38
2021 Castello Di Ama Montebuoni Chianti Classico Riserva
Castello di Ama, winner of several Tre Biccheri awards, consistent critical acclaim has earned a reputation as one of Chianti Classico’s sought-after wine producers. This excellent single vineyard wine has a very enjoyable combination of bold and rich flavors yet still comes off as as truly balanced Drink now or cellar.
Aroma: Vibrant cherry fruit, cedar spice box of cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamon, forest floor and porcini mushroom. Mouth: Medium body, supple texture, polished tannins, ample amount of fruit, with good length persistent finish. Excellent
$48, Case $41
2018 US Grant Pinot Noir Union Vineyard Organic
Full throttle Sta Cruz Mountains Pinot. It’s rich spicy and layered enough to pair with rich holiday fare.
Vinous One of the highlights of the range…. Lifted, floral and slightly sauvage on the nose, the 2018 feels like most old-school of the wines in this vertical, but also the most plush and well calibrated. Soft around the edges and just yielding enough structurally, the 2018 coats the palate in pomegranate, orange peel, white pepper and lavender. Chalky tannins linger on the silky finish.
Aroma: Bright intense incisive, and fresh tight clean, very rich, and herbal massive, less evolved, rather rich, full, balanced with the lightest wood note; Mouth: Clean poised youngish fine acid tannin, Impeccable balanced, poised light tannin, rather firm; Excellent - Outstanding
$79; Case, $68
2022 Ashes and Diamonds Saffron Vineyard #5
The wine maker is Diana Snowden- Seysses, who also has a bit of a hand in Domaine Dujac. which should give you a sense of its style, not just light on its feet, but creamy also.
Wine Advocate “A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc, … comes off a single vineyard on Mount Veeder. Slightly light in hue, it offers up hints of strawberries, raspberries and mountain herbs on the nose, followed by a medium-bodied palate that is silky in texture and more about finesse than power on the lingering, rosehip-tinged finish. It's a solid value, so long as you're looking for elegance, not power.
$65, Case
Mix any twelve at their case prices
Attendees at the tasting can purchase any at its case price
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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in Greater Boston on orders more than $250
