2014 MEYER-FONNE EDELZWICKER 1 LITER
In Alsace the term Edelzwicker is used for their everyday 'field blend' type wine generally built for splashing around at the weekday dinner table. Most consumers are used to seeing the name of the variety on the wines from here, so we often get asked if Edelzwicker is a grape unique to the region. The blend can be any of the nine approved grapes for the region (this one is made up of Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Chasselas, and Muscat) and is usually quite dry so it will work with a wide variety of dishes. Fresh white fruits and flowers on the nose with just a touch of orange zest from the Muscat, and a juicy energetic palate that shows no signs of sugary fruit but no harsh astringency either. A great bottle to have in the fridge to pull with friends at a moment's notice. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case 2014 CLOS DES FEES COTES DU ROUSSILLON ROSE 'LES SORCIERES' Many people decide they aren't supposed to drink Rose wines once the weather gets cooler, thinking they have faded and past their prime. While you won't see new releases this time of year the way you do in the Spring and Summer (not from the Northern Hemisphere anyway) the better more vibrant versions hold up quite well for 2-3 years or more past vintage, and do extremely well at the Thanksgiving and holiday dinner table.This sturdy example from the Roussillon has the vivid salmon orange color usually found in the wines from Provence and Bandol, and has the dry savory character to match as well. Big rose petals and red fruit skin aromas with a touch of Provencal herbs, with flavors that follow on a surprisingly fleshy and bright palate. This can hold up well to savory holiday meat dishes and still be refreshing. Regular Price $19.99, $16.99/case 2014 LA CAPPUCINA 'JULIET FROM VERONA' GARGANEGA/SAUVIGNON BLANC La Cappucina is a delightful producer from the Soave region near Verona, the setting for Shakespeare's famous play 'Romeo & Juliet'. From their organically farmed estate vineyards they make top quality DOC Soave, sparkling wines, and impressive reds. To create some 'everyday' value wines they created their Romeo and Juliet wines made from fruit purchased from organic growers around the region. 'Romeo From Venice' is a red many of you have seen in the store for a while, and now the counterpart white has joined us as well. Garganega is the primary grape for Soave and makes up the majority of this blend, with a healthy splash of Sauvignon Blanc added for acidity and crispness. Fresh and uncomplicated with lean apricot and white fruit aromas, quenching on the palate with no oak or sweetness, and most importantly for a wine of this price point, no under-ripe or off flavors from using cheap substandard grapes. This is a sign you don't have to sacrifice competence to get a value. Regular Price $7.99, $6.74/case 2014 FOLK MACHINE 'PARTS AND LABOR' RED Over the last few years the many projects of winemaker Kenny Likitprakong have been going from strength to strength, sourcing fruit from under-appreciated vineyards in some of California's cooler growing regions to craft high quality wines that purposely avoid the heavier textures and higher alcohol levels. Not a judgement call to the good or bad, but the image of Californian wines painted with a broad brush is to 'super-size' a lot of the character, and it's nice to see more wines made domestically that reach out to another part of the wine drinking population. A blend of mostly Rhone varieties Syrah, Carignan, and Grenache with a splash of Barbera into the mix, this showcases an earthy and gamey side of wine not usually seen in Cali. The other varieties kick in hints of their red fruits here and there, and the Syrah gives a bit of extra body, but the Carignan provides the majority of this wine's wild side. The use of native yeasts and aging in neutral large foudre barrels let the distinct character shine through, and the fan base for this style is growing vintage by vintage. It may not be everyone's cup of kombucha, but for others it will scratch an itch that's very hard to reach. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case NV CARRA-COVIELLO PROSECCO BRUT The holiday season almost requires having a bottle of something bubbly and festive on hand at all times, and the amount of quality Prosecco around for the money has never been better. More and more small importers are mining the region for quality artisan producers that can provide high quality fresh bottlings that far outshine the mass market productions for very similar prices. Another great offering from local importer and friend Diego DeCorte, this bottling has loads of fresh apple and flowery white fruit that is given extra crispness on the nose from the lively carbonation. as well as on the palate where this definitely hits on the drier side of Brut than most Proseccos dare to go. Do not waste this on a Mimosa, as it has so much flavor and pleasure it ddeserves to get shown on its own. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case 2014 VALLEVO MONTEPULCIANO d'ABRUZZO Several decades ago, about the only thing most people knew about the wines from Abruzzi was what came in gallon jugs or larger, as the region was dedicated to almost exclusively bulk production. Bulk is still a fairly large portion of their industry, but more and more small production wineries are starting to get noticed, and they deserve it as they still represent great value. The Montepulciano grape (not to be confused with the city in Tuscany) is favored here and makes wines that have a lot of similarity to those from Chianti and the Sangiovese grape, but tend to be softer on the acidity, a bit more straightforrward, and very approachable. Wines like this one are built to pop and pour even at this youthful stage, with lots of dark currant and dried spice aromas that seem more robust at first but get mellow and cocoa tinged as it opens up. The palate seems bigger at first but the tannins are very fine and soften fairly quickly and easily. If you want something a bit bigger than a Pinot Noir for the turkey and the more savory side dishes this holiday, this will do very nicely. Regular price $12.99, $11.04/case These wines regularly sell for $92.94 For Select Six November they are $79.99 You Save $12. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $72.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $86.99 Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off!
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2014 CHATEAU GRAVILLE-LACOSTE GRAVES BLANC This is one of a pair of Bordeaux Blancs from winemaker Hevre Dubourdieu and importer Kermit Lynch that might easily get confused for each other based on the extremely similar labels and somewhat similar makeup. Both estates are owned and run by Hevre and are made up a traditional blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle, but the other estate -Chateau Ducasse- carries a higher percentage of Sauvignon Blanc. Graville-Lacoste is made with a higher percentage of Semillon, which gives the wine more weight and waxy richness that provides more intensity on the palate. Still vibrant, showing bright lemon and green citrus aromas, the extra Semillon comes through on the palate giving the citrus some roundness as well as some skin tannins. A white wine for cooler weather ahead, able to hold up to richer seafood and poultry dishes. Regular Price $18.99, $16.14/case 2013 ZORZAL PINOT NOIR 'TERROIR UNICO' TUPUNGATO VALLEY (Wine Advocate 91points) Argentina is primarily known for the production of Malbec in the Mendoza, and rightly so, as the valley floor is an ideal setting for the grape's production. Diversity is also nice to have, and over time there has been more exploration and experimentation to develop new areas of interest and a broader selection of varieties. Tupungato is a sub-area along the mountains of the Valle de Uco, at the base of one of the highest mountains in Argentina, which provides a cooler microclimate than other parts of the valley. This provides a wonderful opportunity for Pinot Noir to develop, allowing it to better keep its vital acidity and not overripen the fruit. The style is parallel to Oregon or the cooler northernmost regions of California, with a combination of vibrant red fruits, even hints of citrus, along with a background of darker spice. The palate is full for a Pinot but not sweet, and the acidity gives the texture and finish a more lip-smacking character. A delicious everyday drinker. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2014 LOVINGSTON WINERY SEYVAL BLANC 'JANET'S BLOCK' It is hard to find wines from Virginia that provide both quality and a lot of value, but trust our friends at Lovingston to pull that feat off in a major way with this vintage of their Seyval Blanc. This hybrid variety does very well on the East Coast when it comes to handling our unique set of weather factors, and generally has a character similar to Sauvignon Blanc. As usual, we have come to expect the unexpected from their winemaker, and they played around with the fermentation process to develop a crisper, more vibrant texture to the variety, and then added a touch of Vidal Blanc to soften the acidity some and provide some fragrant fruit. The result is along the lines of a Virginian-born Muscadet or coastal European white wine, vibrant and crisp on the palate with just a slight touch of intentional effervescence, clean citrus aromas and fruit throughout with a refreshing finish that has plenty of nerve. It would be criminal to serve Chesapeake Bay oysters with anything else, especially at this price. Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case 2012 BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH/VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE COTES CATALANES (Wine Advocate 91points) The majority of wines from the Catalonian parts of Spain and France tend to be dominated by Grenache, and the wines have a ripe, juicy red fruit character that tends to be very lush and warming. Grenache is heavily planted here, on both sides of the Pyrenees, but the other Rhone varieties are here as well, and it is fun to have wines that take the focus elsewhere and provide a broader image of what a region can provide. The Syrah here has a stronger minerality than expected, giving the dark red fruits more raciness and flowery tones instead of just darkness. The Grenache is more in the background providing some spice and softening the texture a bit on the palate, but the Syrah really shines. Bigger than a Crozes-Hermitage but not as weighty as an Australian Shiraz, it walks a very comfortable line in between and delivers lots of pleasure and value. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case 2014 DOMAINE d'ELISE PETIT CHABLIS With the cost of 'true' Chablis continuously pushing upwards, it falls upon the Petit Chablis wines to take up the slack and provide value. Petit Chablis wines are made from their own sets of vineyards that border along the edges of even Premier Cru sites, but are often on the cooler sides of the hills that don't ripen as consistently or the soils change away from the chalky Kimmeridgian that Chablis is best known. But with improved technology these sites are much less at risk than even 20 years ago, and most producers can produce very tasty, vibrant and traditional Chablis character out of them with great regularity. Clean and unoaked, this bottling shows lots of racy citrus and oyster shell on the nose, fairly straightforward fruit on the palate but with the amount of salinity and bright acidity here you don't need a lot of fruit complexity. If you HAD to drink something other than the Lovingston Seyval Blanc with oysters, this would be a fine second option, and would show with other forms of seafood nicely as well. Regular Price $18.99, $16.14/case 2013 BUENAS! TEMPRANILLO The world of less expensive Spanish wines is stacked with simple, fruit forward and low complexity Tempranillo from throughout the central plains (where the rains fall, mainly). It's almost shocking when you come across a wine like this that bucks the trend, but we have it. Sourced entirely from vineyards the Rioja region by an established producer, this has become a 'secret second label' for them to use some of their less established vineyards without diluting their main brands. Bright red fruits and light dusty spice on the nose, all of which translates to the palate with a nice savory tone. You can definitely taste the Rioja origins here as opposed to the warmer climates to the South, but there aren't any hard under-ripe flavors either. A perfect everyday dinner wine with a more traditional mindset, especially at this price point. Regular Price $7.99, $6.79/case These wines regularly sell for $89.94 For Select Six October they are $77.99 You Save $11. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $84.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $70.99 2014 BODEGAS RIOJANAS 'VINA ALBINA' RIOJA BLANCO
In our Select Six from July we featured another white Rioja and spoke of the wine's parallel to white Bordeaux. That version featured a blend of Viura and Malvasia with some barrel aging that shows off the richer, fleshier, more 'serious' elements of the region. This bottling, an entry level wine from one of our favorite Spanish producers over the last year, captured everything that is fun and fresh about Rioja. Made from 100% tank aged Viura, the aromas are all about juiciness, loaded with pears and melons and just a hint of cooling minty spice and melon rind way in the background. The palate is also juicy in texture, but the flavors are much drier and zestier than the aromas, almost shockingly so. The melon rind and grapeskin tannin bring the flavors of the whole fruit into play, not just the sweeter juice and pulp the aromas promised. They also help this wine stand up much better to fleshier dishes where something with just fruit and nothing else would fall flat. Break this out with pork or poultry, and don't be afraid of matching it with something that has a bit of spice. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case 2013 FOPPIANO PETITE SIRAH 'LOT 96' SONOMA COUNTY As one of the oldest family run wineries in California, Foppiano Vineyards holds a place of great history. They were a founding member of the Russian River Valley AVA (and still among the best values from the area as well) and one of the first producers to feature the Petite Sirah variety in its own wine versus using it as a blending grape. While often duplicated over the last 50 years, their Lot 96 remains one of the best examples of Petite Sirah in its more approachable easy-to-drink form. Big and spiced on the nose with lots of dark cherry and cola-like aromas behind the briary berry fruit, the palate doesn't have the deep tannins the bolder more 'serious' versions have, but it isn't done so to the point of feeling fruity. There's texture here that is all too often lost in this price range to the crowd appeal of sweetness, which is a nod to the Foppiano's Italian heritage. A big value for grilling as the seasons start to cool off. Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case 2014 M.A.N. FAMILY CHENIN BLANC COASTAL REGION In an era where it is harder and harder to find value wines in and around the $10 mark that aren't industrially made, South Africa continues to deliver surprise after surprise. The M.A.N. Family (an acronym made from the first name of the wives for the three founders) source fruit from many areas of South Africa to make quality area designated wines that most locals would struggle to make as well themselves, and at undeniably fair prices. Made from 'free run' juice (which makes a big difference at this price point as it doesn't allow any juice from the more bitter interior of the grape) this doesn't show any of the stern, steely side of the variety usually found in bargain bottles. Bright white flowers and cool citrus and tropical notes without any of the more honeyed notes the more expensive Chenin Blancs can get but isn't missed here at all. Vibrant on the palate as well with only a bit of juicy pineapple and pear fruit behind the citrus. A great midweek or party drinker that will make you happy you didn't overspend. Regular Price $9.99, $8.49/case 2012 CENNATOIO 'INNOMINATO' ROSSO TOSCANA A long time favorite of the store, Cennatoio has always been one of the most visually striking wineries in our Italian section, casting aside the flatter more traditional labels to feature bolder art work that present historical images with a more modern flare. Fortunately the quality of wine inside the bottle is more than equal to the visual presentation, and that is most evident in their entry level Rosso Toscana. The wine is always a tank aged blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon with the proportions varying from vintage to vintage depending on how well they perform and the amount that graduates to their top barrel aged wines. Bright tart red fruit and dried Tuscan herbs on the nose have a fairly traditional feel, staying fresh and clean on the palate with subtle savory and pepper notes filling in the background. Even though there is Merlot and Cab used, the traditional Tuscan character shows through, making this an ideal dinner wine. Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case 2013 LEONE DE CASTRIS VERDECA SALENTO 'MESSAPIA' Another emerging native grape variety from the seemingly endless source of ancient Italy. This grape called Verdeca finds its home in the 'heel' part of the Italian boot called Salento, and has the most varied cultural history in Italy. The grape itself is believed to have originated in Greece and have been a part of the winemaking scene here for the better part of 3,000 years. Surprisingly, for as warm as the region is, the variety shows remarkably lower alcohol levels and a natural vibrancy where most other grapes would become flabby and overly hot. Crisp pear and wildflower aromas show through at first, with slight hints of melon and pineapple as it opens up. The palate is fairly full bodied for an unoaked wine, but stays clean and refreshing with lots of citrus skin and grape tannin to reign in the fruit. This has a lot of similarity in style to the better whites from Friuli or Alto Adige, fleshy and complex as well as completely natural and dry in presentation, no extraneous bells and whistles. A great food match with citrus prepared fish or poultry dishes. Regular Price $13.99, $11.89/case 2012 CORRALITOS SYRAH SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS This is a 'secret second' project for one of the wineries we feature, which sounds a little bit 'cloak and dagger' we admit. Essentially this second label allows the winery to source fruit from independent growers and create a more flexible line of wines from vintage to vintage depending on what comes available without intruding on their core brands. The Syrah itself stands on its own as one of the best values we've had from California in a while, especially if you like a more earthy and reserved style of red wine. The heavy fog that rolls over the Santa Cruz Mountains almost daily keeps the vineyards quite cool, and that temperature is reflected in the cool, vibrant nature of this wine in spades. Dark cherry skin, pepper and cured meat aromas come out at first, and slowly evolve deeper raspberry tones as it opens. Wines from cooler sites generally need a little bit of time open to get more fragrant and really strut their stuff, so the second and third hours are really worth the wait. In the mouth the fruit is moderate and earthy with very fine and polished tannins, almost Pinot-like but with tart fruit throughout and a long racy finish. No obvious oak and definitely no extra density or sweetness, this is a domestic version of a Crozes-Hermitage, one of the last bastions of value left in the Northern Rhone. A beautiful food wine that plays nice with almost any savory meat dish, and a great find for those that prefer a more European style of red wine. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case These wines regularly cost $82.94 For Select Six September they are only $71.99 You save $10.95? Select Six Red is $73.99 Select Six White is $69.99 Buy a mix of any 3 wines and get 10% off!
2013 POST HOUSE CELLAR 'BLUEISH BLACK' STELLENBOSCH This producer is an exciting new addition to our expanding South African selection, brought in by one of our better local importers. The winery was founded on the property of the old post office in the Stellenbosch town of Raithby, and the names for all their wines refer to philately with either historically significant stamps or in this case color terminology (we also have the white wine from this series, called 'Blueish White'). A blend of four varieties that have traditional strength in Stellenbosch (Syrah, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) this is the quintessential South African value wine, showing inky, smoky dark fruits with telltale wild game aromas behind the blackcurrant and cherry, and a deep polished texture on the palate that allows a bit more of the fruit's sweetness to show through than on the nose. A great match with steaks or hearty red meat based dishes, the gamier the better. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case 2013 HILLINGER PINOT GRIS BURGENLAND As a long-time Alsatian devotee, it almost pains me to type these words, but this Austrian bottling may just be the best value version of Pinot Gris we've come across in years. Once again Austria has shown it's ability to achieve both high quality ripeness and balancing acidity in dry wines that most other regions have to leave a touch sweeter to avoid tasting under-ripe and shrill. From first pour the aromas are full of juicy pear and melons with just enough green citrus and flowers mixed in to fend off any tropical sweetness, and as it opens up even pulls in a bit of fresh herbs and mintiness, in a sense 'cooling' the fruit aromas. The texture in the mouth is exceptional for a wine in this price point, loaded with pulpy fruit juiciness without a shred of lingering sugar or cloying softness, as the wine finishes with fine but not tongue searing acidity and lightly drying rind/fruit skin tannins. A great all-purpose food wine that works well for Summertime picnics as well as chasing away the humidity on its own. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case 2013 D&N PUGLIA ROSSO Another great value from the 'heel' part of Italy, especially for those that find the majority of Italian wine too earthy and austere. Typically one of the warmest regions in the country, the wines carry a lot more fruit and lower acidity than found in Tuscany or the Piedmont. The region is also one of the least advanced, with only the city of Bari as a metropolitan area (barely bigger than Richmond, VA minus the suburbs). Vineyards have been as long as anywhere in Italy, but the lack of international appeal has kept demand and pricing low, meaning there are killer deals like this one out there just waiting to be found. A blend of primarily Negro Amaro with splashes of Malvasia Nera and perhaps even Primitivo (sometimes hard to nails down the exact blend in these wines year to year), the aromas are full of jammy red berries and sweet spices, loaded with warmth and sunshine. The palate is much lower in acidity than most Italian wine fans would expect, but at the same time shows more tannin on the finish and dried spice than your average value Zinfandel or field blend from California, occupying a happy middle ground between. A great wine for the neighborhood grill party. Regular Price $9.49, $8.07/case 2013 J. FRITSCH GEWURZTRAMINER ALSACE Most people fear a Gewurztraminer they haven't tasted before because it can be so hard to tell where on the sweetness scale it may fall. Alsace can be especially guilty of this, falling everywhere from bone dry to borderline late harvest with hardly a warning on the label. That is why we are here to screen them for you, and we can tell you with great certainty this one is D-R-Y. Impressively so, without loosing any of that beautiful varietal aromatic or ripe fruit on the palate. The clean, racy acidity brings a vibrant character and hints of citrus to the floral aromas, and cuts through the juicy finish like a knife. It's hard to find a Gewurztraminer that one could call 'refreshing' but this one pulls it off admirably. Great to pair with spicier foods, especially Asian cuisine, but also worthy of being a Summer sipper. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case 2007 CASTELLO DI LUCIGNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO On the sign in the store for this wine it simply says "Perfectly Aged, Perfectly Priced, Perfect with Dinner". That sentiment captures this wine, well, perfectly, but for the benefit of the Select Six we will go a bit deeper. This is a shining example of having such great importers based in Virginia that can retrieve gems like this from their wineries at fantastic prices. Matured at the winery, the aromas are of earthy red fruits and dried spices with hints of old cedar and truffles, telltale signs of maturity. The weight in the mouth has diminished some with age as there isn't the strong youthful fruit any more, but it has been replaced with silky polished tannins and velvety dark fruits. This is the sort of Chianti that mirrors mature Bordeaux in many ways and will encourage more of us to hide younger wines in this price range so they can bring us this sort of pleasure 4-6 years from now. Until then, we may as well enjoy what we have in hand, certain to make any meal seem a bit more refined. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case These wines regularly sell for $89.44 For Select Six August they are $76.99 You Save $12.45! Select Six Red is $75.99 Select Six White is $77.99 Pick ANY three bottles from the Select Six lineup and receive 10% off
2010 POGGIOTONDO ROSSO TOSCANA (VINOUS 90 points) Some of the more stubborn traditionalists out there may want to skip over this tasting note, as it contains a blend of fairly international grape varieties not usually done in Tuscany. But if you can get past that small detail, the finished wine is an exceptional value that still shows lots of Tuscan character. Primarily Sangiovese, the base of Chianti and almost every other Tuscan red, the blend goes away from tradition using an equal balance of Merlot and Syrah to round out the wine. And it works out incredibly well, especially for wine that is built to be inexpensive and easy to enjoy. A dusty red in the glass, the aromas are dry and earthy, distinctly Tuscan and savory with lots of dried cherry and strawberry leaf. The palate is a bit softer than one would usually expect from a Tuscan red, but it helps to make all the juicy red fruit that much easier to gulp down. Extremely approachable right out of the glass and perfect with pasta and savory pork or chicken dishes. Regular Price $12.99, $11.04/case 2013 IZADI RIOJA BLANCO VIURA 'FERMENTADO EN BARRICA' (Wine Advocate 90 points) White wines from Rioja suffer from a similar identity problem to White Bordeaux, in that it's hard to find a middle ground between the inexpensive everyday versions and the great yet pricey wines at the top of the heap. This one occupies that middle ground for us quite nicely, showing immediately evident character and care in the winemaking over the entry level wines without blowing the doors off the budget. Viura is the primary grape in the more serious White Riojas as it provides the richer texture and weight, much like Semillon in Bordeaux. In this version the juice spends three months in oak on its lees to really bring that richness out, while at the same time being blended with Malvasia to provide a floral, almost tropical accompaniment. Lots of waxy citrus on the nose at first, with the tropical Malvasia notes coming through as the wine opens up. There is some oaky intensity on the palate, but the fleshy texture of the Viura holds it in nicely, allowing the creamy white fruits and melon rind to show through nicely. A wine that deserves a richer seafood or savory poultry dish to really show all of its most unique qualities. Regular Price $19.99, $16.99/case 2014 CHATEAU COUPE ROSES MINERVOIS 'LA BASTIDE' We don't usually try and single out any one particular wine when doing the Select Six, but this one has to be one of the most fun and interesting reds we've done here for a while, and a personal favorite. Minervois is one of the largest appellations in the Languedoc, and one that tends to favor the earthier, gamier Carignan grape over Syrah and Grenache, so it doesn't always get the popular attention some of the others get from the press. But well established small producers like Coupe Roses have access to some spectacular older vineyards that allows great ripeness in their Carignan to provide more enticing fruit behind the funk. This bottling is almost a 'Minervois Nouveau', built with the intention of showing soft approachability immediately without loosing the grape's bold flavors. Dark aromas of blueberries and campfire coals (but not smoke) that follow onto the palate with some darker fruits as well, and an unusual texture that is full but pillow soft on the tannins, and no sugary fruit to be found anywhere. A great casual wine that will go with grilled anything, from veggies to venison. Regular Price $16.99, $14.44/case 2014 SERRA DEL CONTE VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO For people looking to explore a little bit this Summer for new varieties to try, grab this Verdicchio on the way to the beach or to a seafood boil. If you have not heard of it before, Verdicchio is a prevalent grape in the Marches region of Italy along the Adriatic Sea just below San Marino. The coastline is never that far away here, so of course seafood plays an important part in daily life. Verdicchio has evolved in this region as part of that culture and marries perfectly with almost anything that can get pulled from the sea and cooked. Fresher and crisper than most white wines you find along the Mediterranean, there is lots of white fruit and rich melon aromas as well as a certain seashell type salinity. The rindy melon comes through on the palate as well, surprisingly full textured for the price that will help it stand up to fleshier dishes without needing any help from oak aging. Regular Price $12.99, $11.04/case 2012 HAZANA TRADICION RIOJA (VINOUS 90points) The second vintage in a row for this wine that has been a real blockbuster value. A very modern style of Rioja with lots of fruit and obvious oak at first, but also shows some restraint from a decent addition of the Graciano grape, which usually plays a distinctly secondary role to Tempranillo in the region. The grape brings more tart red fruits into the wine when the Tempranillo can get overly dark and heavy on its own. This wine once again is the picture of over-delivering, showing loads of dark aromas and exotic spices that evolves for hours after opening, and a juicy approachable palate full of silky red fruits with just enough dusty tannins to remind this is a Rioja. A great wine for sipping and with food, and could conceivably do well with some cellaring if it weren't so tasty right now. Regular Price $13.99, $11.89/case These wines regularly sell for $90.94
For Select Six July they are $77.99 You Save $12.95! Select Six Red is $74.99 Select Six White is $80.99 Pick ANY three bottles from the Select Six lineup and receive 10% off
2014 LA BASTIDE SAINT DOMINIQUE ROUSSANNE MEDITERRANEE
While the Rhone region is constantly a source for great value red wines, their white wine values are a bit fewer and farther between. Plantings of many varieties (other than Viognier) are on the decrease in favor of more 'trendy' white grapes like Chardonnay, and there is actually more growth in white Rhone variety production over the last few years in California than the actual Rhone. That is why wines like this are so attractive to us. Roussanne is one of the most distinctive white varieties, full and intense with a uniquely dry spice and exotic tea aromatic, and is often the base for the most sought after White Chateauneuf-du-Papes produced. It's highly prized, so getting the chance to taste a value bottling from one of our most trusted producers in the Rhone is a real treat every year. Cool white fruit aroma with fresh mint and tea give a lot more aromatic complexity than usually found in a white at this price point, and the naturally fat texture fills the palate with those flavors. A great multi-purpose wine for warmer weather that will bring a lot of pleasure to the more adventurous-minded drinker. Regular Price $13.99, $11.89/case 2013 JOAO PORTUGAL RAMOS ALENTEJANO TINTO RESERVA A lot of the attention for Portuguese wines is focused, deservedly, on the regions around the Douro River valley in the North. But there is a lot of improvement over the last few decades in the wine regions to the South as well, creating better balanced wines in one of the hottest climates found in Europe. Tempranillo is popular here the way it is in Spain (locally called Aragonez), but also sees a lot of blending with other popular hot weather varieties like Syrah, Alicante Bouchet, and Touriga Nacional of Port-making fame. The wines tend to be lower in acidity, and lesser bottlings can get a raisiny character from overripe or sunburned grapes, but there are also fine examples like this one that provides a delicious and unique experience. Deep in color with loads of warm spice and red fruits on the nose, with a palate that is equally warm and inviting with no hard edged astringency or heat on the palate from excessive alcohol. Softer than a Cotes du Rhone but with a similar richness, this will make for a fun everyday drinker with your spicier red meat dishes. Regular Price $13.99, $11.89/case 2014 Romuald Petit Bourgogne Chardonnay Another instance where Small >Big in the game of wine enjoyment. The broad region of the Macon at the southern end of Burgundy is a hodge-podge of vineyard sites pocketed around areas of quality, as well as some very pedestrian and everyday ones. There are lots of chances for values here, but also a lot of wines where you get barely what you pay for. This 'basic' Bourgogne is constructed by a small domaine from small vineyard plots individually vinified before assemblage to create more distinctive character; this particular bottling comes mostly from a site with a unique red limestone soil, which provides a vibrancy not usually found in wines from the Macon. The wine is also aged on its lees (unfiltered pulp and skin) which provides a lusher, fuller texture to the wine without the need for barrel aging. Vibrant and fresh aromas of apple and pear and a touch of seashell, clean and quenching on the palate with plenty of texture and minerality to take on all sorts of seafood or poultry dishes, but also pleasant enough on its own to enjoy a glass solo. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case 2014 GAUDOU MALBEC ROSE COTES DU LOT Dry Rose shows off its versatility again by playing the role of a red wine in this month's Select Six, and a very unique one this time at that. The Lot River is an offshoot of the Garonne River that extends well into the center of France, and its name has very little little impact on most wine drinkers. But the most famous wine region on its banks, Cahors, is very well known for dark, intensive Malbec based wines that can rival Bordeaux for tannic intensity. We haven't really seen much in the way of dry Rose from here until recently when the appellation system was adjusted to provide a place name that would cover this type of wine. And we are so thankful for it, because it puts such a great spin on what the varietal can do. Made from the saignee (or 'bleed-off') process, this gets a juicier red color from the dark skinned Malbec but retains a dry, earthy aroma and flavor, full of dark cherry skins and strawberry leaf, and a quenching palate that sees more tannin than many Rose on the finish. Surprisingly sturdy with food as the full on Cahors reds are, but with a pretty, refreshing side as well. Regular Price$13.99, $11.89/case 2013 JOAO PORTUGAL RAMOS VINHO VERDE LOUREIRO Another unique wine from Portugal, and also from the collections of wines from Joao Portugal Ramos, but this time from the northern region of Vinho Verde. Most consumers recognize the name 'Vinho Verde' as a particular type of wine; crisp, inexpensive whites usually with a touch of pinpoint-sized fizz that makes the wine that much more exciting on the palate. While this type of wine makes up a very large portion of the region's production, there is more to be had, including the occasional red. This wine represents a slightly more 'serious' variation on the white Vinho Verde in that it features a single grape varietal (Loureiro) instead of a blend, and is made without the carbonation. The juicy ripe pear and white fruit is refreshing and mouthfilling for the price, with a touch of lime zest on the palate to bring enough acidity in that you don't miss the carbonation at all. A delicious wine to keep in the fridge for light seafood or surprise company. Regular Price $10.99, $9.34/case 2013 LA CELESTIERE VIN DE PAYS DE VAUCLUSE This bottling has made repeated appearances in our Select Six the last few vintages because it's a great example of the diversity found in the wines of the Rhone. La Celestiere is a very well regarded and established producer with several levels of Cotes du Rhone and Chateauneuf-du-Papes, but like any good producer is always on the lookout for new opportunities to make quality wines that are also good values. They are doing what many producers in the Rhone are, and instead of taking on the expensive battle of purchasing land from others in their appellation, they are looking just outside their boundaries to Ventoux and Vaucluse, where the same grapes have been grown for centuries but the cost of land isn't as expensive becuse the wines have not become as famous. An expert hand here can turn ordinary vines into some pretty stellar values. This bottling carries a very unique mix of grapes, with near-equal parts of Grenache and Syrah (no surprises), small amounts of Carignan and Cinsault (not too unusual) and Alicante (hey now!) an underused hybrid that brings a spicy red fruit to the wine similar to a Zinfandel. Classic dark Rhone fruits on the nose with a pop of spice and cherry from the Alicante, and lots of weight on the palate without much dark tannin, making the fruit very soft and approachable, which is exactly what you want from an everyday wine. Another great option to bring to the cookout that won't be like anything anyone else brought over. Regular Price $11.99, $10.19/case These wines regularly sell for $82.94 For Select Six June they are $70.99 You Save $11.95! Select Six Red is $67.99 Select Six White is $73.99 Pick ANY three bottles from the Select Six lineup and receive 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
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