SELECT SIX FOR FEBRUARY 2016

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!