2016 RIBAFREIXO 'BARRANCOA' ALENTEJANO WHITE
Portugal has been developing a strong reputation as a spectacular yet under-rated tourist destination. Loads of natural and cultural beauty draw people from all over the world, exposing them to the diverse culture and what is presently a very under-valued market. While there, tourists are also experiencing their cuisine and emerging wine scene, which extends WAY beyond Port from the Douro or Vinho Verde. Lots of diversity throughout the country featuring many native varieties provide inexpensive but significant and distinctive wines. From the Alentejano region East of Lisbon (made using mostly unpronounceable local varieties), this is loaded with bright colors of green and white citrus, plenty of zest and hints of minerals on the aromas, light on the palate with a hint of salinity like a Muscadet but with more sunshine and white fruits. A solid pairing for almost any lighter seafood dishes as well as pork or poultry cooked with citrus. Regular Price $10.99, $9.34/case 2015 CHATEAU MOULINAT BORDEAUX The 2017 vintage in many parts of Europe was a struggle due to weather issues plaguing regions at multiple times during the year. Bordeaux was significantly damaged early on by an early frost that damaged/destroyed parts of almost everyone's vineyards, reducing volume drastically and limiting the potential quality for what remained. While those wines won't be finished for another year or more, we are as a result seeing more releases from the high quality AND strong volume 2015 vintage to try and make up for the future losses. This sits in that perfect sweet spot for inexpensive Bordeaux, with classic dark currant fruits and dry savory aromas, but soft and approachable on the palate, begging for short term drinking. While there are many of the more expensive Bordeaux from this vintage that will be worth cellaring for many years, this is all about immediate gratification, and at this price even on a weeknight. Regular Price $12.99, $11.04/case 2015 AZ. AG. ELISABETTA TOSCANA VERMENTINO Popular throughout the Italian and French Mediterranean coasts (known in France as Rolle), Vermentino is mostly identified in Italy by the extreme coastal North region of Liguria and the Southern island of Sardinia. About halfway or so in between lies the region of Maremma, which represents the coastline of Tuscany and is often forgotten as a wine growing region when compared to its more metropolitan neighbors inland neat Florence and Siena. The region is warmer than Tuscany, providing wines with a bit more fruit than those from the interior, yet because they aren't part of the historic tourist pathways the wines are relatively undiscovered. Warming golden in color, the first aromas are equally warming with rich Mediterranean citrus and pear skins, as well as a hint of cooling mint in the background. The palate is round and very smooth, filled with citrus and pear skin tannins that leave a long spicy finish. This is a great wine to work in with fish or poultry dishes that have bold, spicy flavors, Tex-Mex, strong chowders, and the like. Regular Price $18.99, $16.14/case 2015 VINHOS BORGES 'PEROLA' VINHO REGIONAL DURIENSE Continuing the display of great values from Portugal, we bring you one of the rarest of all wines these days; an $8 wine that actually over-delivers. The Duriense wine region encompasses the Douro and Port producing regions as well as some surrounding lesser areas, creating a 'catch-all' designation for producers that work with vineyards in multiple parts of this northern region of Portugal. Built from Touriga Nacional and other regional red grapes, this wine gives you everything you could possibly want for the money with no flawed or negative edges poking their way in to detract from the enjoyment. Spicy warm plum and dark fruit aromas set the table for similar flavors on a juicy soft palate with just a hint of tannins that catch on the finish, leaving with a pleasant dried fruit skin finish. Easy and uncomplicated, perfectly priced to enjoy whenever the mood strikes you. Regular Price $7.99, $6.79/case 2014 ERICH & WALTER POLZ SAUVGNON BLANC STEIRISCHE KLASSIK Austria is rightfully known for its white wines made from their indigenous Gruner Veltliner grape as well as Riesling, but the quality of their Sauvignon Blanc is often overlooked by comparison. Styria in particular has developed a representation of the grape that stand up in distinction to those from the Loire and New Zealand. Lots of cool white fruits on the nose and palate are their hallmarks, generally not as lean as the Loire nor as much of the grassy/gooseberry fruit as New Zealand. The cooler 2014 vintage brings out a bit more of the acidity, but the freshness and brightness still remain, and there is plenty of ripeness on the palate for balance, enabling the wine to pair well with richer seafood and poultry for cooler season dishes. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2014 HERVE SAUVAIRE 'MAS SAUVAIRE' IGP PAYS d'OC This Select Six is just chocked full of easy drinking red wine values that are perfect for stocking up with for the cold season ahead. This last wine is a true 'Bistro blend', originally created by the winery for consuming at the winery and local establishments with no intentions of selling it with their more acclaimed estate wines. But their importer sampled it during a visit and fell in love, requested they send over a handful of cases to see how it did over here. Boom. Instant success. Mostly Carignan with some Syrah and Grenache, the soft savory fruit and bright rose petal aromas all but demands some food be plated up. Often Carignan based wines can be lean and astringent, but this has a soft polished texture from being aged in concrete tanks and bottled unfiltered that make this absolutely gulpable. This is pure French Mediterranean sunshine in a glass. Regular Price $12.99, $11.04/case These wines regularly sell for $78.94 For Select Six November they are $67.99 You Save $10.95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $75.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $57.99
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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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