2015 DOMAINE PAUL BUISSE SAUVIGNON BLANC TOURAINE
The Loire River Valley provides one of the world's greatest expressions of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. At one time the two premier areas of Pouilly-Fume and Sancerre were considered a substantial jump up in quality from the rest of the region, but the progress over the last few decades have shown that great quality for the dollar can be found throughout the length of the river and its tributaries. Touraine in particular (the area around the city of Tours) has been a particular hotbed, and we are constantly finding lots of quality, and even surprising diversity of styles. Light, crisp citrus and grapefruit aromas with lots of natural fresh cut hay field, good body with some texture without resorting to sweetness, which allows all that refreshing snappy acidity to cut across the palate. A great food wine with light hors d'oeuvres or fish dishes. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2011 HIDDEN VINES CHIANTI RISERVA Usually we take a very traditionalist point of view with our Italian wines, sticking with estate bottlings and smaller producers whenever possible. Most of the time that's where the expression of regional quality lies, and where the most exciting wines come from. But for every rule there is always an ex exception, and we would have to be blinded by doctrine to not bring this wine in. Blended from fruit sourced from a small set of quality estates, Hidden Vines is built for an American take on Tuscan wine, from the name and label down to the wine itself. And it works, packing in a lot of quality for the price. Savory herbs and dried red fruit aromas from the first pop with a touch of warm Tuscan earth, very polished and gentle on the palate without any hard edges that allows an almost sweet red fruit character to come through on the finish. This isn't built to be a connoisseur's Chianti to be pondered and studied over, just provide lots of drinking pleasure with a meal or by itself if you choose. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2013 LAWSON'S DRY HILLS GEWURZTRAMINER MARLBOROUGH New Zealand has always made a grand push for their Sauvignon Blanc as their grape variety of distinction, and there is definitely lots to enjoy in that respect. But their environment can also provide lots of other outstanding white wines as well, and have found many of their dry Gewurztraminers to be among the best found outside of Alsace. Lawson's in particular has been a consistent value for us, packing in a lot of flavor without needing the sweetness to do so. Big perfume of spicy white fruit and flowers with a cut of minty acidity that cools the perfume, lots of natural weight on the palate that brings out all the delicious tropical fruit flavors without even a sign of sweetness and a long tingling finish from the persistent acidity. A great food pairing for floral or spicy foods that already have enough sweetness in their preparation that you don't want or need any in the wine. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case 2015 MILNER BROS. 'NATTE VALLEY' CINSAULT From a taste and flavor perspective this is a wine that delivers a bit of a unique profile but lots of quality for the adventurous; from a wine geek/historical perspective it's one of the most interesting wines we've done in a Select Six (though one could argue that same point for the last wine in this Select Six as well...). The Cinsault grape is known as a workhorse grape in both the southern part of France and, in the past, South Africa as well, where it was commonly known as "Hermitage'. With the consumer popularity of other grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot taking the lead, this style of wine largely disappeared from the market. But the trends always seem to swing back and forth, and the popularity of lower alcohol and less extracted wines are beginning to come back in vogue. Think 'Hearty Beaujolais': smoky savory red fruit and beef blood aroma, soft texture with virtually no tannins yet more than enough weight to hold up to simple meats and stews. This is a gulpable wine that brings lots of enjoyment to the dinner table. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case 2015 ESSAY CHENIN BLANC SOUTH AFRICA In South Africa Chenin Blanc is often referred to as Steen, especially when made inexpensively. Wines labeled Steen often have a sharpness to them from less ripe grapes while ones labeled Chenin Blanc usually have a juicier more generous texture. This version helps achieve that juicier side by blending about 15% Viognier in to help pop the fragrance and add some softness to the palate, resulting in an exceptionally easy drinking value. Mostly melons and white fruit on the nose with just a hint of the pretty floweriness of the Viognier. If anything the Viognier presence is felt on the palate with a round softness that shows off the juicy fruit spectrum very well and lowers the acidity on the finish. Great for parties when you want a crowd-pleaser that is different from the usually cast of characters. Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case NV BEDROCK WINE CO. 'SHEBANG' CALIFORNIA RED WINE Morgan Twain-Peterson is among the most important winemakers in California right now, with his Bedrock Wine Co. label that focuses on preserving the history of the state's old vineyards. While the quality is fantastic of course, the wines are more about presenting the vineyards in the form the were originally planted, sometimes just Zinfandel but often combining many different varieties row by row or even plant by plant. Instead of cherry-picking out the best parcels, his wines represent the entire picture and give a better view of the wines these sites provided throughout history. In 'The Whole Shebang!' label he looks to create a value option that combines a blend of old vine sources and a broad spectrum of varieties. While the spicy fruit aromas and texture definitely show off Zinfandel, there are so many other dark and savory notes it's hard to lump it into that realm. Some aspects are almost Rhone-like with the darker tannins on the finish and peppery spice notes. Easily one of the most unique value wines you will find from California. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case These wines regularly sell for $93.94 For Select Six December they are $79.99 You Save $13. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $76.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $82.99 Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off!
0 Comments
2015 TE MATA SAUVIGNON BLANC HAWKE'S BAY
Most people know about the Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough on the South Island of New Zealand. It's where the popularity boom came from, and like Shiraz from Australia it's what the industry capitalized on and 'doubled down' to push and promote as the New Zealand style. But the North Island has the longer wine history, and Te Mata is one of the oldest family run and continuously farmed estates in the country. This Sauvignon Blanc is their flagship, indicative of the commitment to sustainability across their production and a distinctly different wine in the bottle than those fro the South Island. Not as pungent and tropical as the Marlborough style, but not lacking for energy either, as the warmer climate allows the grapes to ripen fully each vintage and they don't have to add sugar back in to balance. Lots of zesty stone fruit and flower blossom aromas and flavors, and a Loire-like vibrancy on the finish thanks to good acidity and skin tannins. A great all-purpose food white wine, and a historic look at what New Zealand was all about before the hype kicked in. Regular Price $18.99, $16.14/case 2015 KELLEREI KALTERN SCHIAVA ALTO ADIGE Beaujolais is rightfully considered one of the best 'go-to' wines for the holiday season. A lighter, more savory style of wine is able to traverse the diversity of foods encountered at the dinner table, and Beaujolais is well known and popular enough to be easily found. We are also fans here of finding some of the more off-Broadway type wines that do a similar concept but are from lesser known regions and more obscure grapes. Schiava was at one time the most heavily planted grape in the Alto Adige region of Italy, but the more recent popularity explosion of Pinot Grigio has reduced its coverage, reduced to merely being the most heavily planted red grape. Pale brick red, just a few shades deeper than a hearty rose, with a nose full of cherry skins and strawberry leaves, and just a hint of gamey herbs in the background. The palate is very light and smooth in parallel with a Beaujolais, with a slight touch of cured meat type salinity on the finish. A great option for the creative yet budget conscious holiday diners. Regular Price $12.99, $11.04/case 2015 VILL'D ORVIETO ABBOCCATO This value line of wines from one of our favorite Italian wine importers has always brought us tremendous values. This off-dry version of Orvietto (or 'Abboccato) may be one of their best deals yet, and it's tailor made for drinking with the foods on the holiday table. The little bit of sweetness left in the wine minimal, even less noticeable than a German Halbtrocken, and at this price point provides much needed weight. Fresh light pear and peach aromas with hints of mint and citrus skin, and a mouthfeel full of juicy white fruit without any signs of hard edges usually found in inexpensive wines, just a freshness of fruit skin and a cleansing pop of acidity on the finish. Not a serious wine needing contemplation, but perfect for splashing around with family and friends. Regular Price $8.99, $7.74/case 2014 REMHOOGTE 'SOARING EAGLE' RED BLEND STELLENBOSCH South Africa continues to uncover new producers as sources for quality and values, as well as hitting a flavor profile that's always just a little bit outside the norm. Remhoogte was established just after the end of Apartheid in 1994 as a family estate winery, with still less than 100 acres under vine, yet already have an impressive lineup; there are at least 1-2 more wines that will be featured in the store within the next month or so, depending on the arrival of new shipments. Soaring Eagle is their entry level red blend, built from various proportions of Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon depending on the conditions of the vintage. Rich, chewy dark red fruits with hints of the South African meatiness on the aroma, and lots more of the same on the palate. This is a wine with lots of intensity for the money, especially for those that don't want any of the jammy fruit to go along with it. Another great cooler weather dinner wine, ideal with roasts and various red meat dishes. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2015 QUINTA DE CHOCAPALHA ARINTO LISBOA (Wine Advocate 91points) Most of the wine drinking population have not come across the Arinto grape, at least not knowingly. It's fairly widely planted in Portugal but usually appears in the background of blends like Vinho Verde due to its high natural acidity and lemony flavor profile. In the Southern end of Portugal towards Lisbon the temperatures are warmer, which helps lower the acidity and brings out more of the warmer fruits, but even then it is rare to find one that is particularly compelling. This producer deserves special attention as their use of older vines helps bring necessary richness to the palate that the wines usually lack. Zesty citrus and refreshingly tingly melon and pear aromas and flavors abound, extremely clean and zippy on the palate, almost bracingly so. A little bit outside the box, but that's where we like to be, and ideal to pair with seafood or citrus influenced poultry dishes. Regular Price $12.99, $11.04/case 2015 BODEGAS GODELIA MENCIA BIERZO 'PILGRIM' Most people identify Spanish red wines with the Tempranillo grape which dominates the vineyards of Old Castile and much of central Spain, or perhaps Garnacha found along the Mediterranean coastline as well as further inland. Mencia is a bit of a forgotten grape, but is making a comeback in popularity as less aggressively alcoholic wines come back into fashion. The grape populates the mountainous areas that transitions between the Galician regions along the Atlantic Ocean and Castile, and at one time was thought to be a predecessor to Cabernet Franc before the Gauls were forced into Bordeaux. Wines like this can make you understand that comparison, because the flavors and character are right out of the Loire or Right Bank Bordeaux. Unoaked and clean in character, the polished fine tannins show off the grape's natural bitter cherry skin and savory berry fruit and exceptionally polished texture for the price point. More robust than a Beaujolais, but equally easy to enjoy, and ideal for the Thanksgiving table, especially the dark meat of the turkey. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case These wines regularly sell for $84.94 For Select Six November they are $72.99 You Save $11. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $71.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $73.99 Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off! 2015 ZE BECCO VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO
We threatened in the last Select Six to feature the Verdicchio from this great new producer in Abruzzi, and a month later here it is. Abruzzi has traditionally been the bread basket for producing high volume, straightforward volume wines, but the last few decades has seen lots of new investment and improved quality, especially at the upper end which most people never knew even existed. In a recent article on the Vinous web site reviewer Ian d'Agata stated "The wine scene in Abruzzo, long a sleeping giant of Italian wine, is especially exciting today." Not only are the top end wines achieving high quality, but the less expensive ones are a better value than ever before, and this represents one of the best deals we have seen in a while. Fleshier in texture than a Pinot Grigio and not NEARLY as fruity, Verdicchio like this is built for the dinner table, offering clean stone fruit and melon rind aromas and dry textures that hold up to most simply prepared fish or poultry dishes. And at this price you can always have 2-3 ready in the fridge at any time. Regular Price $9.99, $8.49/case 2014 DUORUM 'TONS DE DUORUM' DOURO RED Over the last few decades the worldwide demand for the fortified Port wines of Portugal has tapered off a fair bit. The good to great ones will always find a home to be sure, but the days of people having Port as a daily or even weekly drink are generally in the past. Thankfully their vineyards are not going under the tiller any time soon as they have been easy to transition into producing quality 'regular' red wines. In many cases wines like this one pop forth almost immediately using essentially the same blend of grapes (Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz) as Port, so the transition doesn't even need to skip a beat. And the wines are often very accomplished from the start; if you are a fan of the Spanish wine styles, you will probably enjoy these just as much. Dark and loaded with plum and spicy red fruits, this has the soft and approachable modern style to it, with just a touch of polished tannins on the palate. What it may lack in extensive complexity, it more than makes up for in value and ease of enjoyment. Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case 2015 VOM BODEN RIESLING FEINHERB WEIHWASSER 'The vast majority of German wines from the 2015 vintage are going to be outstanding, so if you like the style bet as much as you can while you can.' That phrase will likely become a broken record from us over the next year or so. A delicious broken record that will give German wine fans a smile you can't get off their face with a chisel. And with more and more production leaning towards drier styles in general, people should acquaint themselves with the term 'feinherb', a term used mostly in the Mosel that means the same as 'halbtrocken' or half-dry. It takes most of the sticky sweetness out of the palate while holding back the astringency many of the true Trocken wines can show. Loads of vibrant white fruits and flowers on the nose, and a refreshing burst of vibrant acidity across the palate that brings out loads of mineral tones and layers of complexity often hidden behind the residual sugar. Brilliant and transparent, this is a wine that will perform very well at the dinner table since the sweetness isn't a factor. Regular Price $19.99, $16.99/case 2014 TORRAE DEL SALE MONTEPULCIANO d'ABRUZZO Even more quality goodness coming from Abruzzi, so much so we feel the need to go with a red in back to back Select Six selections. The nice thing about the quality coming from the region is, even in wines priced within a dollar of each other there is discernable differences between them. The Torrae de Sale sees a touch of barrel aging which brings out a plumper, slightly sweeter red fruit character to the wine, as well as a silkier texture. Much of the flavor profile is the same, somewhat Chianti-like with less acidity, but this one has a bit of added polish. Regardless of how you parse it, this is another shining example of the great value the region has to offer, and yet another reason to constantly experiment with wines that may not have the most famous reputations. Regular Price $10.99, $9.34/case 2015 BETES CURIEUSES MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE 'LA PERDRIX de l'ANNEE' Muscadet is one of the more exciting and undervalued growing areas in France. Even though it has been an established appellation for centuries, the wines were generally viewed as simplistic and the Melon de Bourgogne grape used to make it planted virtually nowhere else in the world. Improved winemaking techniques over the last few decades have helped producers extract every last bit of flavor possible out of the grapes, as well as identifying the best parcels that are capable of elevating the potential wines even further. The most interesting versions like this one have taken on the nickname of 'the poor man's Chablis' in some circles, as it can mimic the seashell and mineral tones of Chablis very well. Betes Curieuses is a project between two winemaking friends from the Western Loire area looking to be a part of the growing improvement of Muscadet. This is their entry level wine made from their youngest vines, but still getting an intense dose of that telltale oyster shell salinity on the nose. Fresh, clean and quenching with a bit of leesy texture on the palate to lend some body as well as hint of zesty lime, this is a seafood eater's dream wine, marrying well with any dish that shows off a natural briney side. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case 2014 S.A.R.L. LAFAGE 'TESSELLAE' CARIGNAN VIEILLES VIGNES (Wine Advocate 92points) Another area that is evolving between winemaking styles these days in the Roussillon in the Catalonian part of France just above the Pyrenees Mountains. The fortified wines from the Rhone variety grapes grown here are lesser known than those from Portugal, and when their limited desirability dried up the region almost fell to ruin. Making table wines took a while to catch on as the warm dry climate creates intense wines of great strength and extraction, which isn't what most French wines aim for. Fortunately for them the drinkers of New World styled wines from areas like California and Australia were open to enjoying that style, and the wines have quickly become more popular abroad than at home. Carignan is usually a high volume/low reward grape saved for blending in the background, but from this parcel of 70 year old vines Lafage is able to extract something truly outstanding. Deep and rich, both the color and aromas are almost black in character more so than red fruited like a Grenache would be, with a savory licorice spice that comes across the full palate. Warmer and juicier than a Cotes du Rhone but priced like one, this is an adventurous route to go that will show very well with all sorts of grilled meats. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case These wines regularly sell for $84.94 For Select Six October they are $72.99 You Save $11. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $77.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $67.99 Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off! 2015 QUINTALUNA DE OSSIAN VERDEJO TIERRA DE CASTILLA
The Rueda is a unique outlying region in Spain's Old Castile, almost exclusively white wines in a sea of reds from Toro and Ribera del Duero. During the centuries the Moors occupied the Jerez, Rueda was 'elected' to convert to growing white grapes for sherry production to the rest of Spain. Once the Moors were defeated, sherry production returned to the Jerez but the white grapes remained planted in Rueda and over time the anomaly became a local tradition. The Verdejo grape grown here has some Sauvignon Blanc-like characteristics, like the grassy notes on the nose and some of the vibrant fruit on the palate. But this producer, with its old ungrafted vineyards and Burgundian techniques in the winery, brings out so much more, with a rich texture full of resinous white fruits and melon rind. This is a food friendly wine without any barrel flavors weighing it down, and a great addition to your weekly drinking rotation. Regular Price $13.99, $11.89/case 2014 HERMANOS DE PECINA 'SENORIO DE P. PECINA' RIOJA JOVEN (Vinous 91points) Traditional style Rioja is a unique pleasure, especially when you are able to find one that's a value. Hermanos de Pecina is a relatively young estate, but its history is cut from old cloth with the owner having worked with La Rioja Alta for nearly 20 years. Their Crianzas and Reservas/Gran Reservas all spend time in barrel and bottle longer than the established norm, which helps give the wines a more mature and traditional flavor. For the Joven, meant to be sold young and consumed young, the traditional side is still able to show through. Bright and spicy red fruit aromas, while more earthy and even slightly dusty dark fruit on the palate, this is more parallel to a youthful inexpensive Bordeaux than the many aggressively fruit forward Tempranillo that tend to spring from the warmer middle parts of Spain. Light enough for a more flavorful vegetarian or poultry dish, but also great with simple red meats. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2015 DOMAINE JEAN TOUZOT MACON-VILLAGES VIEILLES VIGNES The last few vintages of this wine has served as our early barometer for what we can expect from Burgundy overall, as it is one of the first to hit our shores and always takes a nice picture of what the year has to offer. The early word is that 2015 was warmer overall that several previous vintages, and the regions that were able to avoid the rains before the white wines were harvested (sorry Chablis lovers) will have big, fleshy wines full of ripe forward fruit. Unfortunately yields were down in many places that has hail problems in 2014, which will drive the price for many wines up, so if you can find ANYTHING close to this quality in or around the $20 mark we will be gobbling it up. And so should you. Round ripe tropical fruit that is soft and approachable on the palate, with a noticeably lower acidity on the palate than the cooler 2014s. Straightforward but with plenty of body and flavor for the price range, this is about as good as you get for an everyday Burgundy. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2015 ZE BECCO MONTEPULCIANO d'ABRUZZO An exciting new value from one of our favorite importers, one that we had to get into customer's hands as soon as possible. Abruzzi has traditionally been the bread basket for producing high volume, straightforward volume wines, but the last few decades has seen lots of new investment and improved quality, especially at the upper end which most people never knew even existed. In a recent article on the Vinous web site reviewer Ian d'Agata stated "The wine scene in Abruzzo, long a sleeping giant of Italian wine, is especially exciting today." Not only are the top end wines achieving high quality, but the less expensive ones are a better value than ever before, and this represents one of the best deals we have seen in a while. Similar to a Sangiovese but with less acidity, the Montepulciano grape should be round and generous, and this has it in spades for the price, with lots of earthy dark fruit and a minimally filtered texture that adds body usually lost at this price. Immensely gulpable as a weekday pizza wine; also, white wine drinkers should look for their equally exceptional Trebbiano on the floor and in a future Select Six. Regular Price $9.99, $8.49/case 2014 MICHEL GASSIER 'NOSTRE PAIS' COSTIERES DE NIMES BLANC (Wine Advocate 91points) The Costieres de Nimes has always suffered a bit of an identity crisis. Wedged between the world renowned regions of the powerful Southern Rhone/Chateauneuf and the hip Mediterranean glamor of Provence, Nimes shares the grapes of these neighbors but none of the acclaim. But as will many other overlooked wine producers, change is coming as new money and ideas are being brought to revitalize old vineyards. Michel Gassier is from a 4th generation family growing grapes here, and with the help of renowned winemaker Philippe Cambie and importer Eric Solomon, the wines have grown to great reputation over the last decade. This is a classic white Rhone blend of mostly Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, and while there is only a little bit of neutral oak used in the aging process the richness is very appealing to even the Chardonnay crowd. Vibrant citrus and pit fruits on the nose, flowery at first but more mineral and green fruit underneath than expected. This is the type of wine that could easily suffer from lack of acidity in order to make a larger framed wine, but the balance is just right. A great option for heartier seafood or poultry dishes, and one that can handle a lot of spice and citrus.. Regular Price $18.99, $16.14/case 2013 HIGH NOTE 'ANDES 1,100 METER' RED BLEND MENDOZA Another offspring wine from the ever-present but always outstanding Catena family. A terroir driven project that focuses on developing vineyard sites at higher elevations, which provides cooler evening and overnight temperatures than lower in Mendoza, allowing better acidity and tannin to develop. Built mostly from Malbec with a varying blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the Red Blend is built for easy consumption without coming across overtly sweet or heavy. A bit of the Malbec goes through carbonic maceration (the same process that Beaujolais Nouveau famously goes through) which helps add some natural grapiness to the often dark and hard edged variety. Fleshy and purple in the glass, but not overpowering on the nose, and the carbonic adds a surprising softness that makes the dark fruit very gulpable. Easy to enjoy, and easier to afford. Regular Price $12.99, $11.04/case These wines regularly sell for $85.94 For Select Six August they are $73.99 You Save $12. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $80.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $66.99 Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off! 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! 2014 SCARPETTA 'FRICO BIANCO' IGT DELLA VENEZIE
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 (so much so we also got in their Tuscan Red from the Frico series, which will definitely be in a future Select Six). A Venetian blend of Pinot Grigio and tank aged Chardonnay, this is all about freshness, with clean crisp white fruits from the Pinot Grigio on the aroma, and the round texture of the Chardonnay on the palate to give some flesh without coming across fruity. A perfect 'Bistro style' white ideal with all sorts of light dishes and Summertime quaffing. Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case 2012 GLENELLY CABERNET SAUVIGNON STELLENBOSCH 'GLASS COLLECTION' Glenelly Estate is the poster child for the modern movement in South Africa, combining tradition and history with new blood and modern thinking. The Stellenbosch property has several centuries of history as farmland, but it wasn't planted to vines until after 2003 when the de Lencquesaing family of Bordeaux purchased the farm. As owners of Bordeaux 2nd Growth Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande the family brought both centuries of knowledge and financial capability to bring the property up to a world class standard very quickly, and in less than a decade of production have developed a stable of both high quality and great values. The wine definitely shows more of its Bordeaux influence, with a cool cassis and dark fruit aroma and savory tannic palate, but shows some rich fruit as it opens up, and thanks to very little new oak used can soften up very quickly. Those that like Chilean Cabernet or the more value oriented Bordeaux will definitely find a lot to enjoy here. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2015 S.A.R.L. LAFAGE 'COTE EST BLANC' COTES CATALANES (Wine Advocate 90points) Lafage has been a real standout over the last decade or so in the Catalonian part of France, sourcing fruit for bottling after bottling of approachable, modern style wines at great prices. Working with importer Eric Solomon, many of the wines end up almost exclusively in the American market, and are almost always a bargain hunter's delight if they fit your flavor preferences. The Cote Est is built mostly from tank aged Rhone varieties Grenache Blanc and Roussanne with a touch of Chardonnay, spending a fair amount of time aging on their lees (the fine pulp, yeast and skin that is often filtered out before fermentation) which helps to provide extra richness and fragrance. Loads of fresh citrus flowers and peach aromas as well as cooling zest to keep it out of the 'fruity' realm, and plenty of fresh picked fruit texture on the palate. A warmer climate wine to be sure, so acidity freaks may find it a bit soft in that department, but is otherwise a multi-purpose delight that works as a party cocktail for the adventurous or a match with Mediterranean dishes. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2014 ALESSANDRO RIVETTO LANGHE ROSSO In a region full of producers with centuries of winemaking experience to their name, it's tough for a new producer to get a foothold and make a name. But Alessandro Rivetto, using family vineyard holdings and the help of two lifelong friends, has set out to do just that, and thanks to one of our top local importers those wines are finding their way into Virginia. These aren't going to be wines of high prestige (at least not for a while) but they deliver exceptional quality for the money from lesser known sites, so the talent in the vineyard and the winery clearly shows through. Often a Langhe Rosso is a blend of Barbera, Dolcetto, and/or Nebbiolo, but this example is 100% Nebbiolo that sees only the briefest of time in large Slavonian oak, so it comes across fairly soft and approachable. Loads of Nebbiolo's telltale perfume of lavender and savory purple fruits, but without the austere earthier texture usually found in its youth, as Nebbiolo tends to be a grape to make wines destined for a long life. This is soft and polished with fine tannins that carry the savory red fruit easily though the finish, perfect as a pop and pour with simply prepared yet flavorful meat dishes. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case 2015 AZIENDA SANTA BARBARA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI Importer Kermit Lynch has always been one of the finest sources for French wines in the United States, with every producer worthy of recommendation, if not outright love and devotion. The same high standard applies to their smaller and less famous (but not insignificant) Italian portfolio, containing hidden gems from lesser known regions that have just as much appeal as the French ones. Much of the Verdicchio produced comes from fairly large co-operatives, but this is one of the lucky few producers to be both smaller AND focused on value versus creating higher end and more extravagant bottlings. No oak and nothing complicated, just fresh apple and minty, saline racy fruits that come across on a richer texture than a similarly priced Pinot Grigio without a shred of sweetness.A wine that will go extremely well with herb seasoned or citrusy seafood and poultry dishes Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2014 JEAN ORLIAC 'LE LOUP DANS LA BERGERIS' VDP VAL DE MONTFERRAND The Orliac family created Domaine de l'Hortus in the early 1970s with the intention of being close to the famous sheer cliff walls so popular with French rock climbers. After planting vines and developing the quality in their uniquely diverse microclimate, they became the leading producer in their part of the Languedoc, helping to bring attention to what is now the Pic Saint-Loup appellation. The 'Le Loup' represents their entry level bottlings, all of which are grown on their Pic Saint-Loup estate using the same organic winemaking practices as their best wines, but using non-approved grape varieties in the blend (Merlot in this case). For a wine grown is what is traditionally a source of warm and fruit forward wine, this shows a surprisingly savory and restrained character, with lots of red and black fruit skin and savory herbs on the nose and almost crunchy dry fruit on the palate. Also unexpected in the fact it's under 13%abv, providing easy drinking in a region that usually makes wines that are stuffed to the brim with fruit and alcohol. A great all-purpose dining wine, especially with grilled meat. Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case 2014 KASTEELBERG CHARDONNAY SWARTLAND
We love our store and how we have it set up to represent the regions the wines come from instead of by the grape variety, because the identity the region imparts on the wine (often referred to by the French term 'terroir') is such a vital factor. But it can cause problems sometimes, as when a great Chardonnay like this comes from an area we don't usually think about when recommending one. We have to force ourselves to not immediately think "Burgundy" or "California" to put wines like this in the customer's hand. Or, we can show it off in the Select Six! This Chardonnay has a lot of the New World earmarks with rich creamy tropical fruit aromas and round melon and oaky textures on the palate, but also carries fine mineralty from the unique shale soils from the base of the Kasteelberg mountain range. An exciting effort that delivers loads of character you would be hard pressed to find under $20 in the 'regular' Chardonnay destinations. Regular Price $15.99, $13.7/case 2015 JEAN-MAURICE RAFFAULT CHINON ROSE This is the time of year when Rose really shows its versatility. In day to day life it walks the line between a white wine's refreshing character with a chill on it, as well as a red wine's red fruits and hints of tannin. For us, it means a Rose can work as either a red or white wine option in our Select Six; for June, the Rose option is going red. This offering from Chinon in the Loire has been a regular favorite here for several years now always bringing out all the lovely aromatics the Cabernet Franc grape is known for without any earthy or vegetal edges that can plague the full on reds in some vintages. Pure strawberry leaf and dried cherry skins pop almost immediately from the glass, with savory lavender and subtle herbs unfolding as it opens up or warms a bit. Fresh out of the fridge the flavors are more dried strawberry as the cool temperature brings out the acidity, and as it warms up more of the juicier cherry tones come through. Though Provence and Southern France gets most of the notoriety for making Roses, Loire ones like this provide every bit as much fun. Regular Price $15.99, $13.79 /case 2014 l'ECOLE #41 SEMILLON COLUMBIA VALLEY (Vinous 90points) The Semillon grape is a variety that tends to get more attention as a helping grape in blends than it ever does on its own. In White Bordeaux and similarly styled wines it adds richness and heft to the bright grassiness of Sauvignon Blanc, or in Chardonnay to provide a little life behind the butteriness. Flying solo, the variety actually shows very distinctly in Washington State, as the long days of sun during ripening develop the rich fruit while the quick switch back to cool evenings at harvest capture the acidity. l'Ecole 41 has been one of the leading family run Washington estates since they started in 1983, and their Semillon has been the picture of consistency and value. Rich and slightly waxy in texture with just a little bit of oak barrel presence, the smoothness is complimented with lots of lemon curd and stone fruit character. A great match with richer seafood dishes or poultry with lots of citrus influence. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44 /case, 2014 AZ. AG. DURIN ROSSESE RIVIERA LIGURE DI PONENTE The steep hillsides along the Ligurian coastline barely have room for towns and roads, much less vineyards. But in typical Italian fashion they have somehow found the least extreme slopes to attach vineyards and make unique and delightful regional wines. Volume is of course minimal, and the wines are scarce outside the region or shockingly pricey. At least until we found this producer, one of the few cooperatives that purchase grapes from a selection of tiny family growers. The Rossese is one of the few red grapes found here, fairly light skinned and producing wine of a color barely deeper than the most cherry colored Rose, but possessing plenty of flavor and structure. Fragrant from the first pour, full of cherry skin, violets and red flowers, as well as a hint of the seaside. On the palate the tannins are very fine and light, allowing more savory red fruits to show through, and a lightness across the finish that calls to mind a Beaujolais in many ways. A very fair comparison, as the wine is locally served with similar sorts of cured meats and light meat dishes. We recommend the same treatment. Regular Price $17.99 , $15.29 /case 2014 CHRISTOPHE THORIGNY VOUVRAY SEC Chenin Blanc is one of our favorite 'geeky' grape varieties here, as it can be so versatile making the full spectrum of dry to super-sweet wines, and allowing a distinctive sense of place to come through in each style. Vouvray is one of the great addresses for Chenin, with the distinctive crumbly yellow limestone in the soil called 'tuffeau' that brings out a consistent honeyed aromatic even in the dry wines that doesn't appear in the Chenin Blanc from Anjou about 20 miles downriver. The Thorigny family has been farming vineyards from a single village area of Parcay-Meslay for four generations, and little of their wine leaves the property, but we are lucky enough to have access to this treat. Complex wild honey and rich white citrus and pear aromas that gain subtlety and savory tones as it opens up, and an incredibly lush texture that is about as close as you can get in a wine to the sensation of biting into a piece of fruit. A well polished and beautifully crafted wine that should be in every Chenin Blanc drinker's fridge. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case 2014 YVES GUEGNIARD/DOMAINE DE LA BERGERIE ANJOU ROUGE 'LA CERISAIE' It is usually difficult to find fans of both Bordeaux and Loire red wines, unless the person is an out-and-out Francophile. Bordeaux tend to be brawnier, more tannic and long lived, even those that don't contain Cabernet Sauvignon. Loire reds tend to be vastly dominated by Cabernet Franc, which makes prettier wines with less aggressive tannins and structure, and Cabernet Sauvignon rarely makes an appearance. This small estate bottling is one of the few instances Cab Sauv is used, and the result is a wine that may well be the crossover hit between Bordeaux and Loire drinkers.Deeper and color than expected, and a noticeable dark cassis aroma behind the pretty red fruits and flowers from the Cab Franc. The biggest difference is on the palate, with a firm tannin and dark fruit that gives the wine a bit more guts. No weedy underripe flavors here, this is as formidable as most Right Bank Bordeaux, able to stand up to any hearty dinner. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2013 KUENTZ-BAS ALSACE WHITE
(Vinous 88points) We have been on a great string of luck lately finding both quality and value from our Alsatian sources. Sometimes Alsace can focus too much on the top end Grand Cru wines to determine what the quality is for the vintages,while overlooking the highly enjoyable blends that can be extremely successful even when the best vineyards struggle. Producers like Kuentz-Bas from the Kermit Lynch stable of imports build these wines to be enjoyed fresh without many bells and whistles or intervention (very low sulfur additions during bottling, for example) so that the clean character of the region's fruit comes through every time. A blend of Sylvaner, Muscat, and Pinot Auxerrois, the aromas are very crisp white fruits with hints of dried orange flowers and herbs, with a vibrant dry palate that carries just enough body to keep it from finishing austere and showing some quenching length. A perfect intro/1st course wine with everything from light seafood to a cheese fondue pot. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case 2013 FATTORIA SELVAPIANA CHIANTI RUFINA (Vinous 89+ points) The omnipresent Chianti producer Ruffino has made recognition a bit difficult for the wine region Rufina (as if Italian labels weren't tricky enough already), which is located just to the East of Florence. Though it's the smallest of the eight Chianti sub-districts, it has a personality all its own born from the higher altitude of the vineyards. Selvapiana is among the top estates in the region, and while Frescobaldi can claim to be the largest producer, the Selvapiana wines can be considered the most classic and among the longest lived for their styles. Generally not as weighty as a Classico, this shows off the region's capacity for fragrance, with loads of immediate red cherry and dusty spice aromas that grow darker and immensely complex as it opens up, a wine you can spend several hours enjoying the nose alone if you wished. The palate is light with the red fruits lean and crunchy, thankfully carrying very light and fine tannins, almost Burgundian feeling. A great example of Tuscan wine that doesn't have to slug you across the head to be enjoyable. Regular Price $19.99, $16.99/case NV VALDELLOVO PROSECCO EXTRA DRY 'ANNO ZERO' With Valentine's Day approaching it's never a bad idea to slip in a little extra bubbly whenever we can. Prosecco had become a vastly over-flooded market for decades due to a loose interpretation of the label laws not drawing the distinction between wines coming from the 'original' region and those using the grape but made in large amounts all over the country. Recent tightening of those therms has help to see a HUGE increase in the dependability of quality when you grab a bottle of Prosecco, and has really allowed some great values to appear from some smaller artisan producers. Bottled Extra Dry (slightly sweeter than Brut), the Anno Zero is blended from two organically farmed high elevation vineyards, which helps to provide some extra raciness behind the pretty peach and white fruit aromas and flavors. The fine bubbles also help keep the refreshing character going on the palate, never showing any cloying sweetness. Don't waste this to make a mimosa for breakfast in bed Valentine's morning, this is worthy of fresh fruit with brunch or enjoyed as a toast all on it's own. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case 2014 TERRE DU SOL MALBEC SUD-OUEST The Cahors region is the best known expression of Malbec in France, known for centuries by their dark, age-worthy 'black wines' that could evolve every bit as long as the more famous ones from Bordeaux. The phylloxera epidemic of the late 1800s damaged the region more than almost any other, taking well after World War II for significant replanting to occur, during which time much of the development of the variety was taking place in Argentina. Thankfully the second part of the last century has seen renewed passion in the region, and there has also been a thankful emergence of a softer, more accessible style of wine for easier drinkability. From younger vines sourced in and immediately around Cahors, this is built with the intent of getting all the color out of Malbec without the deep tannins, this has lots of currant and blackberry skin aromas with hints of pepper and herbs, and a surprisingly lush and juicy palate that shows lots of dark fruit without sweetness or harsh edges, perhaps one of the most gulpable Malbecs you will find at this price from any region. A 'Bistro style' wine perfect with simple meat dished or a rich roast beef sandwich. Regular Price $13.99, $11.89/case 2014 DOMAINE JEAN TOUZOT MACON-VILLAGES VIEILLES VIGNES It is virtually impossible these days to find an everyday White Burgundy that doesn't come from a humongous co-operative and/or taste like it's trying too hard to be a buttery Californian Chardonnay. No offense to that style, but most people want their Burgundy to have that identity, to taste like the other great wines that came before it. Every once and a while we get lucky, and hopefully in 2014 -where there was both quality AND quantity for a change- this is just the first of many such lucky finds. From barely 25 acres of vineyards at the Northern end of Burgundy with an average vine age of 30+ years, this has all a Burg fan could ask for at this price. Clean white fruit and apple aromas with just a touch of citrus skin and no oak, and a juicy generous palate with just enough acidity and skin tannin to let you know where it's from. The ideal 'cocktail' wine for and Old World Chardonnay fan. Regular Price $13.99, $11.89/case 2013 DOMAINE GUION BOURGUEIL CUVEE PRESTIEGE The Loire has one of the finest reputations in the world as a community dedicated as a whole towards finding and developing vine and farming practices that improve the health of the land. Estates like Domaine Guion have traditions back to post-WWII of organics for all segments of their farm including the vineyards, and over the years have dedicated more of the property towards winemaking. They are now at the head of the 'Natural Wine' movement, which takes the organic/biodynamic mentality even further, adding as little into the grapes as possible during the winemaking process (native yeasts, little if any SO2) to make a wine that tastes as much 'of the land' as possible. Made from the oldest vines on the Domaine (40-85 years), the wine shows of the wild, meaty side of Cabernet Franc full of rustic red fruits, high toned cherry, and beef blood (meant in a highly positive culinary way). The acidity may seem high to some at first, but this is the type of wine that gets fleshier on the palate as it opens, bringing more richness and red fruit flavors on that helps to better absorb the brightness. An adventurous wine that represents a wine movement evolving all over the world. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case These wines regularly sell for $99.94 For Select Six February they are $84.99 You Save $14. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $81.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $87.99 Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off! 2014 S.A.R.L. LAFAGE 'NOVELLUM' CHARDONNAY PAYS d'OC
A sure sign that all Chardonnays are NOT created equal, especially when a little bit of creativity is employed. The winemaker Lafage is the source of many great values coming from the Languedoc in recent years thanks to their relationship with their importer, and Novellum has been one of their longest standing bottlings. What makes it stand out is the use of Viognier lees during fermentation, which brings the fragrance in without changing the texture. Pretty and full of the Viognier's flowery perfume on the nose, the Chardonnay is in full force on the palate showing lots of natural richness and weight as well as good natural acidity and hints of grapeskin tannins. A great everyday drinker that provides a huge deviation from the everyday. Regular Price $12.99, $11.04/case 2014 GAIERHOF PINOT NERO TRENTINO The cooler mountain influenced regions of Italy are best known for their versions of white wines using Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer and Riesling. With the price of Pinot Noir increasing rapidly in the more famous growing areas of the world like Burgundy and California, the wines from here are getting much more attention than in the past. Pinot has been here for generations, so it isn't just capitalizing on a trend, and has a distinct regional character. Dark cherry skin and savory earthy aromas have a suggestion of Burgundian character moreso than the sweeter New World style, with a polished and silky texture of 'true' PInot Noir, The cooler climate brings a touch of acidity in that provides the nice lively finish. A great food oriented Pinot that is incredibly friendly on the pocketbook. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case 2014 J. FRITSCH PINOT GRIS VIN d'ALSACE Along with Domaine Paul Blanck, J. Fritsch has become an Alsatian favorite here at Wine Warehouse in how they represent both quality at the upper end and great value. Having recently featured their Gewurztraminer, the recently arrived Pinot Gris is a great choice for the new year. The grape tends to have more richness and natural weight than other Alsatian white wines, but can also contain sweetness underneath the heft. This is a remarkably clean example, full of white fruit without the sweeter honeyed tones. Pure peach and crunchy pear aromas along with cooler flowery tones, and a fleshy Burgundian texture with lots of length and stone fruit flavors that help it work with a variety of dishes, including richer or more savory ones the variety usually does not compliment. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case 2010 MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON COLCHAGUA VALLEY (Wine Advocate 91points) While not one of the older names in the Chilean wine industry, Montes have been a big part of the improved quality over the last 30 years. The strength has been with the Bordeaux varieties, especially Cabernet Sauvignon which is the base for their high achieving Alpha M blend as well as this value bottling. Rich and polished, showing the deep vanilla tones of oak on the nose as well as deep currant and red fruits, and loads of flavor on the palate ranging from tobacco to Bordeaux-like savory fruits and pepper. A very classy example of South American Cab that likely still has more than a few years left to potentially cellar. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case 2013 CLAAR CELLARS SAUVIGNON BLANC WHITE BLUFFS COLUMBIA VALLEY We continue to be astounded with the number of wine values that are appearing from Washington, and in a wide spectrum of grape varieties as well. Short of California, no other state works so well with the broad spread of noble grapes of the world. This Sauvignon Blanc was a great new arrival in the store just before Thanksgiving and was a big success for the season. Juicy and round aromas of fresh nectarines, melons and orange fruits with only a hint of the variety's grassy tones, one would think the palate would be heavily tropical. But the cool Washington climate helps to bring forward a lot of vibrant acidity, so the texture is bright and the fruits are very crisp across the finish. A nice everyday sipper and works well with lighter seafood and savory poultry. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case 2012 OLIVARES MONASTRELLL 'ALTOS DE LA HOYA' JUMILLA (Vinous 91points) For the last few decades this has been one of the prime examples of what the Jumilla region in Spain can provide. Year after year this bottling of older vine Monastrell (Mourvedre in France and other parts of the world) thrives in the warm dry climate near Valencia, consistently fleshy and intense and still remaining one of the best values in a country chocked full of them. Deep, inky black color with aromas full of tarry blueberries and black fruits, the surprise comes on the palate, where the natural acidity of Monastrell gets a boost from the chalky soils of the region to provide some cut and complexity to the rich dark fruit. A great option for grilled meats. Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case These wines regularly sell for $90.94 For Select Six January they are $77.99 You Save $12. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $76.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $78.99 Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off! 2012 TWO PONDS CHARDONNAY COLUMBIA VALLEY
Washington State produces a lot of great quality wine with an increasingly high number of great values appearing as well. For a long time a particular 'Chateau' has been the dominant name, but you are stating to see more and more names slipping through and offering alternatives. The great thing about the whites from here is they always seem to provide a strong 1-2 punch of both richness of fruit and vibrant acidity, thanks to their Northern latitude. This is a prime example in a Chardonnay, delivering a rich creamy texture without needing the 'buttery' effect from heavy malolactic fermentation. Loads of pear fruit and caramelized apple tones, but without loosing the crunchy apple and bright citrus underneath that keeps a wine like this from falling too heavily on the palate and becoming monotonous. A nice option for a holiday cocktail wine, also good with poultry or richer fish dishes. Regular Price $13.99, $11.89/case 2014 LOUIS MAX PINOT NOIR 'HAUTE VALLEE' SUD DE FRANCE Historically, it has been virtually impossible to get something that approaches the 'Burgundian wine' experience outside the borders of Burgundy. You can certainly find Pinot Noir from other part so France, but they always lack the character and nuance and are often dosed with Grenache, Syrah or other varietals to taste more fruity. The massive costs associated with buying vineyards in Burgundy have all but eliminated the true value wine from the Burgundy conversation, so those looking to make one have to look elsewhere. The Haute Vallee is a cooler corner of the Languedoc near the famous Limoux sparkling wines, and in the hands of a quality Burgundy producer like Louis Max produces a dead ringer Bourgogne. Earthy red fruits on the nose with hints of dried spice, polished on the palate with good body to convey the dried cherry notes without feeling weighty, and a light red fruit finish. A beautiful everyday wine for those that feel they are getting priced out of the Burgundy market. Regular Price $13.99, $11.89/case 2014 CASALE MARCHESE FRASCATI SUPERIORE Frascati is most known as being the local white wine of Rome, the region lying in the hills just outside the city's beltway. Like many other wines, the name became bastardized and overused to the point of being nearly worthless (think Soave, for example), loosing the context for grapes used or quality and was applied to every garden variety white wine poured in a Latium region cafe. Casale Marchese is one of the oldest and most established houses in Frascati, and thanks to one of our local importers is bringing the quality level way up with hardly a price increase from the mass marketed offerings. Fragrant white flowers that lean towards the pretty side of wines like Pinot Grigio without the peachy or tropical orange fruits, instead leaning towards kiwi or currants. Refreshing on the palate with a nice body that allows the fruit to feel juicy and fresh and then leave on the finish with a touch of dry grapeskin tannin. A nice 'Pinot Grigio mood but I don't want Pinot Grigio' sort of alternative that's plenty enjoyable in it's own right. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case 2011 CAMERON HUGHES 'LOT #384' MERITAGE DRY CREEK VALLEY The Cameron Hughes bus just keeps on rolling out great value wines from across California and anywhere else the opportunity presents itself. Each lot is it's own wine, built from sourced grapes, juice in tank, or even finished and bottled wines. Often these deals come along as one time offers, so there is rarely the same wine from one vintage to the next, but the standard has always been a high delivery of quality for the price paid, which brings everyone back to try at least one bottle that bears the company name. This lot is from the tricky 2011 vintage, cooler than some and overshadowed by the hype of the 2010-12-13 vintages on either side. There was still great quality, but many wineries weren't getting the prices they wanted for them, and this wine came from a source needing to sell off some slow moving juice. Mostly Merlot with some Cab Sauv and Cab Franc blended in, the structure and style are somewhat Bordeaux, showing cooler currant and dark cocoa tones on the nose and drier red fruits on the palate. Very polished texture with fine tannins that get richer as it opens up, the more modern Cali Cab fans may find this a bit short on overall 'bigness', but the balance and structure here for the money are tough to beat, especially when you compare it to the rest of what's out there from the 2011 vintage. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case 2014 STINSON VINEYARDS SUGAR HOLLOW WHITE Long time Virginia wine drinkers may remember the White Hall Sugar Ridge White, their semi-sweet value Vidal Blanc that largely scratched the itch of White Zinfandel drinkers looking for something a little bit better. New kids to the White Hall area have taken up the Sugar Ridge/Sugar Hollow name mantle, but are putting a much drier take on Vidal Blanc this go-around. Don't let 'Sugar' in the name throw you; the residual sugar level here about half of the Sugar Ridge, allowing a lot more of the zesty citrus to show through, and even some fresh acidity on the finish. Still showing plenty of pear and melon on the nose and palate, this is a great holiday wine to offer to guests whose tastes you aren't sure about; dry enough for those fans to enjoy the fresh citrus flavor, but enough 'sense of sweetness' for the White Zin/Moscato crowd to cozy up to during dinner. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2013 TENUTA SANT'ANTONIA CORVINA 'SCAIA' VENETO The wine region around Verona is most famous for the intensely rich Amarone and Ripasso styled wine, made from partially dried grapes to intensify the sugars and flavors. It is often forgotten that those grapes are used to make regular everyday wines as well, and can provide very juicy, enjoyable everyday values.Corvina is one of the most important varieties in this region, both as the backbone of the more intensive wines as well as the source of the best values. Tenuta Sant'Antonia is extremely well regarded for their Amarones, but recent renditions of this wine have been hailed as '(one of) the best deal in Italian wine today'. Juicy and completely gulpable, full of cherry and red fruits on the nose and palate, and a distinctly Italian earth and mineral component that keeps the flavors from approaching anything remotely sweet. The perfect all-purpose dinner table wine that holds up to red meats and red sauces equally. Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case These wines regularly sell for $87.94 For Select Six December they are $75.99 You Save $11. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $76.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $74.99 Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off! |
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
|