2016 MAS DE CADENET ROSE COTES DE PROVENCE SAINTE VICTOIRE
Always one of the first signs of Spring, like the early flowers and the end of NCAA Basketball, the newest vintages of dry Roses are arriving from our favorite European wineries. They are the first looks at the quality of the previous vintage, and bring visions of warmer, light-hearted days ahead. While these dry wines are made throughout most of Europe, Provence is perhaps the most iconic and a huge part of their posh Mediterranean lifestyle. This house is well thought of around here as it is brought in by a local importer, which helps us bring it in at a terrific price. Classic pale salmon pink color in the glass, the aromas are full of strawberry leaves and cherry skins with hints of watermelon. The palate is vibrant and refreshing, very white wine in texture and feel with an almost citrus note to the fruit, and only a hint of the red fruit character coming through on the finish with a touch of savory zip. Perfect for light salads, fruit trays, and back porch sipping. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case 2015 DOMAINE BRUNET PINOT NOIR PAYS d'OC Burgundy drinkers have a quandary. Pinot Noir from the region is a taste unlike Pinot from almost anywhere else in the world, a balancing act of higher toned red fruits and acidity that can only be hinted at slightly by some producers in other parts of the globe. But the region is relatively small, production tend to be in very limited amounts, which helps to make Burgundy among the more expensive wines on average. It makes it extremely difficult to find an inexpensive option that is still capable of scratching the itch that only Burgundy can seem to reach. Which is why we were THRILLED to find this option from Limoux in the Languedoc. More noted for its sparkling wines, this surprisingly cool corner provides freshness and acidity inexpensive Pinot so regularly lacks, and the light savory red fruits do a quality imitation of a Burgundy. While it won't make you forget about your favorite Bourgogne Rouge, being able to have 2-3 bottles of this for the same price will make it much easier to satisfy that itch. Regular Price $10.99, $9.34/case 2015 SELECTION DES COGNETTES MUSCADET SEVRE et MAINE Another favorite wine of ours for warmer weather (any time of year is good, of course, but ESPECIALLY warmer weather) is Muscadet from the western area of the Loire near the city of Nantes. Made from the very light-bodied Melon de Bourgogne grape, these wines are rarely built to be overly 'serious', with the intent to be aged and contemplated for years on end. At their best the wines embrace their transparency, full of minerality and even a hint of salinity that seems like it would come from the ocean only a few dozen miles away. Better quality producers like this also make the wines 'sur lie', aged briefly in the tank on the grape pulp and fine lees to provide a bit of extra body. Clean and refreshing, with just a hint of white citrus aromas, vibrant white fruits and sea spray on the palate, this is ideal with oysters and other briny dishes with little adornment. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2015 AZ. AG. TENUTA SANT'ANTONIO CORVINA VENETO 'SCAIA The Corvina grape is one of the workhorse varieties around the city of Verona, providing a large portion of the character for the Valpolicella and Amarone wines. As a stand alone wine you don't see the name used that often, doesn't seem to have the flash and pizazz some of the other more 'known' grapes possess. The value they can deliver in a wine like this is quite impressive, and those that don't mind experimenting will have quite a gem. A deep garnet color in the glass, the aromas are surprisingly ripe and forward for an Italian red, full of warm black cherry, plums, and currants, even a touch of dark spice. The palate is juicy, but not to the point of a Primitivo or warmer climate red, keeping the fruit character dark and spicy instead of sweet, and plenty of silky smooth dark fruit on the finish. One of the most approachable and easy drinking inexpensive Italian reds we have come across, ideal for midweek pasta and red sauce meals or weekend cookouts. Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case 2015 MULLER-GROSSMANN GRUNER VELTLINER This new Austrian arrival represents a rarity in the world of winemaking, teaming mother and daughter in the production of the family vineyards. Mother Helma has been in charge of winemaking here since 1986, with daughter Marlies on board with both production and marketing since 2009. The wines they provide from the Kremstal region deliver great character, and our first time trying this Gruner Veltliner was impressive. Lots of tart white fruit and stony citrus aromas, almost austere at first but building some peach and juicier apple tones as it opens up. The palate is fairly full but still vibrant for the price point, full of stone fruits and piercing, precise acidity that drives a lot of added complexity into the palate. This is a welcome addition to the Austrian selection. Regular Price $19.99, $16.99/case 2014 VINA TARAPACA TARAPACA '+PLUS' GRAN RESERVA RED A new estate (to our store, anyway, as they were established in 1874) with a lot of exciting wines to offer from the Maipo Valley in Chile. You will likely be seeing several other wines make appearances in future Select Six, as well as when you tour through the Chilean wines in the store, but we wanted to break them out with their most unique offering. The winery is constantly moving towards sustainable farming and organic practices, but their Tarapaca Plus is made only from organic vineyard sources. This unique blend of Syrah, Carmenere, and Cabernet Franc doesn't have any historical relationship to any blends from France, but in their hands it works from Chile. Lush, deep and plummy fruit aromas with a noticeable oak barrel presence, the mouthfeel is impressively rich and modern without a lot of heavy tannin, mostly dark and intensive currants and blackberries. The higher toned character of Carmenere and Cabernet Franc throw a bit of a tart note and hints of rusticity to the finish. A tasty red to add to the weekly rotation. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case These wines regularly sell for $92.94 For Select Six April they are $79.99 You Save $12. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $87.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $71.99 Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off!
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Seasonal Picks at a Great PriceEach month we pick six fantastic wines and give them to you at an even better price when purchased together CategoriesArchives
September 2018
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