SELECT SIX FOR JANUARY 2018

2015 PAUL ANHEUSER SCHEUREBE KREUZNACHER
If you are looking to start 2018 off with a little bit of diversity in your white (and red) wine selection, this Select Six is a great way to jump into that New Year's resolution. Scheurebe is a hybrid grape created in Germany, perhaps not the sexiest of grapes but a really efficient and flavorful grape that can make wines without having to be aggressively sweet. Plus in outstandingly easy vintages like 2015 a winery can pretty much dial a wine into whatever they want it to be and make the best possible tasting juice they can. Big white flowers and magnolia blossoms on the nose with the noteworthy grapefruit tones that Scheurebe always shows. On the palate the bit of residual sugar gives the grapefruit tones a more candied flavor than the nose, but the lively acidity and almost salty minerality from the slate soils gives plenty of tang to the finish. A tasty treat that will match nicely with slightly spicy dishes or a warm, hearty broth-y soup.
Regular Price $12.99, $11.04/case

2014 CABRIZ DAO COLHEITA SELECIONADA
Another fun red wine from Portugal, and an undeniable value, but also quite different than the one we had in the last Select Six. The Dao sits just South of the famous Douro River where Port is made, and has some overlap of grape varieties used, but stands out most for the use of the Alfrocheiro grape. Soft in texture and tannin somewhat like a Pinot Noir, but spicier and darker with a warm fruit character, the grape tends to be featured most often in everyday wines that don't want or need a lot of cellar time or pretense. Immediately warm and friendly when first opened with lots of big red fruits and tomato sauce-like tones on the nose, the touches of dark fruit come through more on the palate from the use of Tinto Roriz and Touriga Nacional. A great cold weather 'comfort food' wine, big in flavor without a lot of ceremony that needs to go along with it.
Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case

2016 LA STAFFA VERDICCHIO CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE
We love a good Verdicchio when we can find it, and we love recommending it even more! Verdicchio is one of the primary grapes used on Italy's Adriatic coast, known as The Marches, but isn't terribly well known due to the lack of tourist destinations and a long reputation for the wines there to mostly be made for bulk production and consumption. Castelli di Jesi is one of the hot spots for higher quality, and the designation 'Classico Superiore' means that the wine is made to a very high standard with better natural ripeness. The bright citrus and white fruit aromatics along with the natural zesty salinity immediately call to mind the natural pairing with all sorts of fish and seafood, but the 'Superiore' level brings impressive richness and mouthfeel to the wine as well, enough so that it can easily hold up to most any chicken or poultry dishes you can concoct.
Regular Price $15.99, $13.79/case

2014 CHATEAU LE PUY/DUC DES NAUVES COTES DE BORDEAUX
In a wine region as famous and heavily examined as Bordeaux, it's hard to find a producer that does something different or unique. This Chateau does so simply by not changing anything about how the family does its business in over 400 years. No chemical fertilization in their history, mostly multi-use large barrels in the winery, and Biodynamic practices throughout the process right down to using plow horses in the vineyards. In a region where glitz and high tech is all part of the image, this house is decidedly low profile, but the wine is impressive and distinct amid the seas of same-ness. Sourced from a single parcel (mostly Merlot with @10% each of Cab Sauv and Cab Franc), the Duc des Nauves shows the rich dark fruit of the exceptional 2015 vintage, loaded with dark currants and deep textures from no filtration. The uniqueness comes in the subtleties, born not only from the practices in the vineyard but using native yeasts allowed to develop spontaneously, providing veins of wild, savory herbs and and an almost citrus tang. This is a Bordeaux that will get almost anyone excited again about the region, and a tasty dinner wine for the Winter.
Regular Price $19.99, $16.99/case

2016 GRILLOS DAO VINHO BRANCO
When you are looking for an everyday, inexpensive wine, it becomes very easy to get into a rut with the more 'known' grape varieties. There are only so many flavors the Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio grapes have in their arsenal that can make it into a $10 bottle before you start to feel like you've tasted it all. This is why we are always looking to introduce new varieties from their native regions that haven't gotten the international love and recognition. Bare minimum it's the opportunity to reset your palate and expectations a bit with something unexpected, perhaps finding yourself the next 'big thing' for your fridge. The two grapes used here, Encruzado and Cerceal-Branco, are far from household names, but show lots of weight and fresh white fruit without getting sugary or flat tasting from over-ripeness. The zest and light tingle to the finish provide more nerve and acidity that one would think for a wine from warmer climates. Keep this in mind for everyday sipping and Springtime salads.
Regular Price $9.99, $8.49/case

2015 AIA VECCHIA ROSSO TOSCANA 'LAGONE'
We don't usually present wines in the Select Six that are built from the same grapes, but this will provide a fun compare/contrast opportunity. This is a VERY similar Bordeaux style blend as the Chateau le Puy, Merlot dominated with similar proportions of Cab Sauv and Cab Franc, but the execution  of the wines and the environmental differences creates very different wines. Even coming from what most of us consider an 'Old World' place of origin in Tuscany, this wine sees an oak barrel treatment and winemaking processes that give the wine a more 'New World' richness and flavor profile. Dark cherry and black fruit burst quickly from the glass with a noticeable toasty vanilla note from the oak, and a rich round texture that is more modern and immediately pleasurable, not needing a lot of decanting or cellaring. Equally enjoyable, but for very different reasons, and sure to be a favorite over the Bordeaux to some and not to others. Vive la difference!
Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case

These wines regularly sell for $88.94
For Select Six January they are $75.99
You Save $12.95!
Select Six White (2 of each white) is $67.99
Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $83.99