SELECT SIX FOR AUGUST 2018

2015 WEINHAUS MICHEL PINOT BLANC NAHE 'FRUITY'
There are a lot of label laws that govern what you can and cannot say on wine and beer labels. Often it is based on legal standards for use of the terms, other times it is based on decency standards. So while you may often find a term like 'juicy' in a wine's tasting note, it's rarely part of the name because it doesn't 'mean' anything. If it's used, there better be some truth in advertising, and thankfully this wine comes through. In fact you would be hard pressed to find a better name for it. Softer in acidity than Riesling grown in the region, Pinot Blanc therefore doesn't need nearly as much residual sugar to achieve a balanced and pleasant presence, so this wine weighs in at less than a 'halbtrocken' or 'half-dry' wine. Soft white fruit aromas with hints of cooling lime, and lots of mouthfilling texture that only the word 'juicy' can describe. No hard edges, no sugary stickiness, just center-of-the-grape pulp flavors and easy drinking goodness. A great wine to have around the house if you enjoy foods with some heat or more exotic spices, or everyday easy quaffing.
Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case

2016 HERENCIA ALTES GARNAXTA NEGRA TERRA ALTA
This is a frequently appearing winery in our Select Six and other store features, as their wines feature exceptional values from a less prominent wine growing region. All things we NEVER get tired of promoting around here. The Terra Alta region sits at the southern end of Catalonia, just before the start of the Levant north of Valencia. Many would expect the region to bear the brunt of the Mediterranean heat the way Valencia and Alicante do, but the higher altitudes here provide a relative break as do the constant cooling winds. The wines here therefore have a much more restrained style to them, at time almost Rhone-like, and because of the remote and relatively under-developed nature of the industry here is filled with great values like this. This 100% Grenache/Garnaxta fits into the Cotes Du Rhone-like realm, intended to be an everyday drinker without too much need for cellaring. Deep color with lots of warm red fruits and sweeter spices on the nose, but the warmth gets pulled back on the palate with a snap of acidity and fine tannins bringing out some darker and more savory elements. Too often the less expensive Spanish wines can get outright sweet on the palate, but this keeps a nice savory edge behind the fruit. A nice value for BBQ parties.
Regular Price $11.99, $10.14/case

2017 EARLY MOUNTAIN VIDAL BLANC 'YOUNG WINE'
Vidal Blanc is a hybrid grape variety that has tended to be a workhorse in Virginia as it has good durability to both heat and moist weather, and they tend to have higher volume of production per vine. The 'easy' route for the grape is to make semi-sweet to desert level wines and not really push the limit on experimentation, but thankfully some wineries like Early Mountain are looking beyond the norm. Inspired by the more bistro-styled and 'natural' wine makers, their 'Young Wine' series looks to make lower weight wines with less alcohol and up-front sweetness, and have pulled those characters from Vidal Blanc in surprisingly tasty fashion. Light peach and pear aromas with hints of cooling citrus zest and wet stones call to mind some of the dry Chenin Blancs from the Loire, with no signs of any cloying sweetness anywhere on the radar. The palate is quenching and wet, plenty of fresh acidity present but gets amped up when it's fresh out of the refrigerator that brings out the white fruit and lemon juice tones. This is a very individual wine from a Virginia producer that is beginning to show a broader spectrum  of what our industry is capable of producing.
Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case

2017 LA VALENTINA CERASUOLO d'ABRUUZO
(VINOUS 91POINTS)
The Italian language and culture are among the most beautiful in the world, but it can make life a bit maddening when keeping a handle on their wines. The term 'Cerasuolo' is a more lyrical name for 'cherry', and can refer to both the color and the flavor/aroma. The term has been adapted to two wine areas in their D.O.C. system, but they are two wines from very different areas using VERY different grapes. The D.O.C.G Cerasuolo de Vittoria is a full-on red wine from Sicily built from the Nero d'Avola and Frappato grapes, and the 'Cerasuolo' term refers to the cherry fruit flavors commonly found in the wine. The D.O.C. Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo is a rose from the Abruzzi region on the Eastern coast, and is made from the Montepulciano grape. The 'Cerasuolo' is for the deep cherry color the rose commonly has, and is in perfect display in this version. Juicy and round on the palate, softer on acidity than most French/Provencal roses, but not fruity or leaning towards sweetness, with notes of fruit skin and citrus peel on the nose and lightly sour or bitter tones on the finish. This has a lot more of the 'red' wine flavor spectrum than many, and can stand to be paired with some more meaty dishes, but still has the warm weather charm and refreshing capability we all expect from a rose for the Summertime.
Regular Price $14.99, $12.74/case

2016 BERNARD CHEREAU MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE 'CH. l'OISELINIERE DE LA RAMEE'
For much of its existence the wines of Muscadet were considered very simple and nondescript, very rarely pursued for drinking unless you were near the city of Nantes where the vineyards are located. Over the last few decades, as more emphasis has been placed on family producers and more distinctive qualities of vineyards and growing areas, the wines have developed an under-the-radar appreciation from wine fans for their light seashell flavors and easygoing dryness. Just recently the region has developed a vineyard designation called 'Cru Communaux', and this property is identified as one of the first Crus of the area. Meaning 'owl's nest', the Chateau makes a pair of wines from the vines averaging around 60 years old, one of which is aged in cement tanks on its lees for nearly three years, and this one which only ages for six months. Quintessential Muscadet aromas of cool mineral rich white fruits and freshly shucked oyster shells, an immediate call to the nearby ocean shore and shell-riddled soils. The lees time gives the texture much needed body and flesh so often lost in the mass production versions, but still keeps the finish refreshing and light. This wine begs for shellfish or any fish dish with a briny presence.
Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case

2014 VINA REAL RIOJA CRIANZA
(VINOUS 90 POINTS)
 Vina Real was established nearly 100 years ago and focuses on making wines from the Rioja Alavesa region. Their wines have generally been considered more 'modern' in character for the CVNE portfolio, but only by comparison to the staunch traditional presence of the other historic wines in their portfolio and in the region. A traditional makeup of primarily Tempranillo with the balance comprised of a varying ratio of Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, this Crianza is immediately more interesting that the top bottling from most wineries. Loads of currants and dark briary fruit come forth quickly mixed with distinct Rioja dirt and dust. On the palate the texture is as first polished, almost Burgundian, with the more persistent tannins showing up only at the finish, allowing the dark fruit and almost balsamic savory tones to show through. As part of the Vina Real line this wine has some of the sharper edges buffed off it so that it has a more immediate drinking character to it, but tasting the wine as it opens up leaves little doubt it can also be cellared for a longer haul.
Regular Price $18..99, $16.14/case

These wines regularly sell for $94.94
For Select Six August they are $80.99
You Save $13.95!
Select Six White (2 of each white) is $81.99
Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $79.99
Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off!