SELECT SIX FOR AUGUST 2016

​2015 DOMAINE VERTICCIE ILE DE BEAUTE VIN DE CORSE
Most Americans know very little about the French island of Corsica beyond what they may have seen in old Cheech and Chong movies. Or perhaps that's just me. But there is a lot worth knowing in their wine industry, where the last few decades have seen vast improvements in quality much like the nearby Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Most surprising is the climate, which is much cooler because of the high mountains and sustained winds, which allows the wines to be much more vibrant and crisp than one would expect from such a southern location. This 50/50 blend of the ever-present Vermentino grape and Chardonnay weighs in at only 12%abv, yet feels completely ripe and fleshed out on the palate. The Mediterranean influence is noticed in the bright fresh citrus peel and lemon/lime aromas, and the unoaked fruit shines through on the palate. This walks somewhere in between an unoaked French Chardonnay and an easy drinking coastal Italian white, so if you enjoy either of these types of wines this would be a great choice to mix up your warm weather drinking options. 
Regular Price $10.99, $9.34/case

2012 JOSE PASTOR SELECTIONS 'VERASOL' NAVARRA
Over the last 20 years the Spanish wine industry has exploded with thousands of labels and loads of great values for those that enjoy a wine with lots of juicy fruit forward character. A lot of these wines are 'new' creations, making wines that fit the market style that is popular, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But there were a lot of wineries that existed before this popularity boom that made wines in a more reserved or 'traditional' style, and importers like Jose Pastor are dedicated to find them and bring them to the forefront again. Verasol is a creation Jose made with one of his wineries to bring to the American market as an everyday value that still shows off the traditional styling they seek out. An even blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha, the wine speaks of the older style of Navarra, somewhat similar to neighboring Rioja but with more softness and approachability. Lots of red fruits on the nose and palate, but less jammy, more of the savory or dried skin tones, even a hint of earthiness in the background. ON the palate the fruit and texture is plenty full but the extraction doesn't beat you back with any sweetness, only polished tannins and a long savory complex finish. This is an ideal dinner wine that will play very well with lightly spicy meats without overwhelming any of the ingredients.
Regular Price $13.99, $11.89/case

2015 MEYER-FONNE EDELZWICKER VIN d'ALSACE 1L
The one liter bottle is a vastly under-utilized bottle format in the American wine scene. It's a great volume for splashing around wines, especially whites, for a dinner with two or three people. more than enough to satisfy all the way throughout the meal without worrying about having leftovers or overdoing it with a 1.5L. For a wine like this, it's perfect. Edelzwicker is an Alsatian term for a general field blend, generally made up of the drier grape varieties for everyday ordinary consumption. As one of Kermit Lynch's few Alsatian houses, it's still built and priced for everyday drinking, but there is nothing 'ordinary' about it. Built mostly from Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Chasselas, the initial aromas and flavors on the palate are all racy white fruits, pears and golden apples with that fresh mountain stream sort of refreshing air to it all. In the background, especially as it opens up, the flowery aromas of the Muscat portion start to appear, never in a sugary way, just enough to bring out some extra appeal. Great with a chill on it to pair with just about anything.
Regular Price $18.99, $16.14/case

2014 SCARPETTA 'FRICO ROSSO' ROSSO TOSCANA
As promised in our last Select Six, the red counterpart to the Frico Bianco is making an appearance in this Select Six. Scarpetta is an Italian wine brand started by the renowned chef and sommelier team that, after working together at Napa's French Laundry, started the their own Italian themed Frasca restaurant in Colorado. The wines are created with a mind towards affordability as well as quality at the dinner table, and they overachieve on both counts. A Tuscan sourced blend based primarily on tank aged Sangiovese, the mindset is of an easygoing Chianti without the barrel aging to showcase the approachable fruit. Smooth and savory with lots of dried red fruits and hints of high toned spice, the label may be a subliminal suggestion to drink this with pork loin or salami, but only because it really WOULD go nicely. 
Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case

2014  VINA IJALBA VIURA 'GENOLI'
White Rioja wines have a lot of parallel to White Bordeaux in the way they are made, the style, and how they perform at the table. The Spanish use of the Verdejo and Viura grapes have similar character and functions as Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, respectively, combining grassy freshness and round melon richness depending on the winery's choice of direction. There tend to be fewer White Riojas made for extensive aging as the generally lower acidity tends to make the wines show better in their youth, but you can definitely find some that take a remarkable tour of the senses after 10 or more years in the bottle. As the more Semillon-like variety, Viura on its own is all about the richer waxy texture even in a less expensive version like this, full of melon rind an citrus peel behind the round white fruits. There is a nice freshness to the aromas and textures without any aggressive acidity or grassy astringency, getting the nice balance on the finish from the skin tannins to get a nice long finish. A nice wine to mix in with light, simply prepared seafood dishes, especially for you Francophiles that may be in a rut.
Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case

2012 MOCCAGATTA BARBERA d'ALBA
(Vinous 90points)
The Minuto family has history in Barbaresco going back centuries, with this side of the family bottling under the Moccagatta label (named after their iconic farmhouse where the winery is based) since just after World War II. Making nine different wines from their 12 hectares of vines means that their 5,000+ cases of wines produced get spread around very thinly, but the great quality extends to all of what they produce. While aged in neutral oak, there is a natural richness to the wine that makes it more than just the everyday Barbera most wineries produce, full of dried red cherry and cedar spice, an impressive deep texture on the palate for the variety that pulls out more dark fruits and savory spice than on the nose, and a polished pretty finish. This is one of those wines that shows off the same 'house style' as their top Barbarescos, but you don't have to pay up or cellar them for many years to get the experience. A great match with hearty, meat filled pastas and sauces.
Regular Price $19.99, $16.99/case

These wines regularly sell for $89.94
For Select Six August they are $75.99
You Save $13. 95!
Select Six White (2 of each white) is $72.99
Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $78.99
Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off!