SELECT SIX FOR SEPTEMBER 2017

2016 MOKOROA/PURIRI HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC MARLBOROUGH
You don't often find wineries in New Zealand with close ties to Virginia, but Puriri Hills founder Judy Fowler is a past graduate of the University of Virginia. Since the winery was started in 1996 in the hills East of Aukland, their reputation for high quality Bordeaux variety blends has grown dramatically, routinely considered among the best red wines from the North Island. For diversity they have recently added this value oriented Sauvignon Blanc to their portfolio using high quality fruit sourced from Marlborough. The wine shows a different hand than usually applied to the ubiquitous grape, brighter and more vibrant gooseberry fruit and a fine line of acidity to give the palate a lot more complexity. What's even better is that, even as a small hand crafted wine, it's priced similar to many of the large scale producers from the region. A rare score from halfway around the world for us on the East Coast!
Regular Price $15.99, $13.29/case

2011 BODEGA CARLOS SERRES RIOJA RESERVA
Few wineries in the Rioja region have as long and decorated a history as Bodega Carlos Serres. Established in 1896 in the town of Haro, the Bodega is one of the few wineries over 100 years old in the region to still be family owned. The wines are built with a very traditional mindset, and up and down the lineup represent spectacular values. Their Reserva spends two years in barrel and three years in bottle before release, providing a matured and already elegant wine that still has plenty of live remaining. Bright red fruit with a touch of dusty spice on the nose that continue on the palate with very silky tannins and lots of length to the finish that hints a tart cranberries. Most of the Rioja houses of this pedigree and caliber can only be found at the next price points up, so traditionalists have a real gem on their hands.
Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case

2016 PULLUS HALOZAN WHITE 1 LITER (SLOVENIA)
Slovenia actually has a fairly long history of making quality wine, especially the region along the border of Italy, but was cut off from the Friulian culture after World War II. Their traditional wines are built to be very light, clean and naturally fermented with little industrialized influences, and wines like this represent the most pleasure for the dollar for those that enjoy the style. Made from primarily a blend of Welschriesling and Furmint with a smattering of other grapes in the mix, the pale straw color and low abv on the label (12%) may at first indicate a thin or mild wine. The first aromas are no weak sauce however, with lots of apple and green grapes, a touch of orange flowers from the Muscat in the blend, and a hint of the 'natural yeast salinity. The palate is equally fresh and bright, surprisingly filling in the mouth with lots of grapeskin tannin and crisp apple tones on the finish to leave your mouth refreshed and quickly wanting another sip. This is a wine that will become a must-have in your fridge for impromptu mid-week meals and enjoying with friends.
Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case

2016 BONNY DOON 'CLOS DE GILROY' GRENACHE CENTRAL COAST
Founder Randall Grahm is one of the iconic figures in recent Californian wine making history, growing to prominence during the 80s and 90s as one of the early producers of Rhone variety wines as well as capturing the irreverent counter-culture of the era. For example, the full name of this wine is 'The Wine Formerly Known As Clos de Gilroy', as the fruit is now sourced from vineyards across  Monterrey and the name is just an homage to the city. The fruit for the Grenache comes from lots not considered intense enough for their Chateauneuf-du-Pape styled top wine called Le Cigare Volant. 'Clos, but no Cigare'. Get it? (cue rimshot) Bright and sunny cherry and peppery red fruits on the nose,sappy and surprisingly weighty on the palate with just a touch of dark berry from a generous amount of Syrah that provides some extra depth and oomph. Even after more than 30 years Bonny Doon is still on top of their game.
Regular Price $19.99, $16.99/case

2015 SCARPETTA ' FRICO' BIANCO VENEZIA
A fresh vintage of a favorite from the last year, with a new twist as well. The Scarpetta brand was created by a sommelier/chef partnership at the acclaimed Frasca Restaurant in Colorado (by way of The French Laundry). The wines are sourced to compliment their culinary vision while representing their favorite growing areas. The previous rendition of this bottling was a Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, but this vintage swaps out Pinot Grigio with Friuliano. Long time Italian wine drinker remember the grape as Tocai Friuliano, but the name was officially shortened to avoid confusion. What isn't shortened is the flavor and unique aromatic the grape provides, with prettier white fruits than your standard Pinot Grigio and lots of zest and texture on the palate. A refreshing everyday wine for the dinner table that is massively more interesting than your standard fare at this price point.
Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case

2015 ANCIENT PEAKS MERLOT PASO ROBLES
The entire Santa Margarita Ranch property is owned by the Ancient Peaks Winery, which they use to provide a surprisingly diverse selection of high quality value wines. The microclimate is one of the coolest for average temperature in Paso Robles, and also contains an impressive diversity of soil types for such a small area. This unique 'terroir' allows the winery to plant grapes in a wide array of conditions, bringing more flavors and subtle shading to their wines. Their Merlot is rich and impressive for its price point thanks to the warm Paso Robles environment, but goes to the next level with lots of complex dark fruit and background cocoa and cinnamon spice tones, as well as more substance on the finish. This is a Merlot that can actually stand up to richer dishes about as well as an equally priced Cabernet Sauvignon, and like the other wines in the Ancient Peaks lineup it over-delivers for the dollar mark.
Regular Price $18.99, $16.14/case

These wines regularly sell for $98.94
For Select Six September they are $84.99
You Save $13.95!
Select Six White (2 of each white) is $74.99
Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $94.99
Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off!