07/02/2025
SELECT SIX FOR JULY/AUGUST 2025
2024 FALSE BAY CHENIN BLANC 'SLOW' SOUTH AFRICA
Wines made 'cheaply' usually are done quickly and forced through every stage of development to cut costs and save money, but usually taste, well, cheap, to nobody's surprise. You CAN make a wine and do all the right things and still have a fantastic value that still doesn't cost much more than the 'cheap' ones. We are excited to show off this South African producer sourcing fruit from older vineyards in the coastal regions that deliver lots of freshness and even a hint of salinity to many of the wines we've tried so far. Add to that the insistence of using wild yeast fermentations, which requires more organic/natural processes in the vineyards and a bit of patience in the winery, and you have wines that stand out in the price point. Crystal clear aromas of crisp Bosc pear and white fruits on the nose without any honeyed tones gets everything off to a refreshing start, which keeps going on the palate with surprising zest and lingering complexity that is often missing in this range. A completely dry tasting effort that rewards both the winery's patience as well as the consumer. Worth waiting for.
Regular Price $14.99/btl, $12.74/case
2023 LUIGI E LUCINA PINOT NERO TREVENEZIE
As Pinot Noir grows more and more expensive from its more traditional homes of excellence (Burgundy in France and the top sites in California/Oregon), you have to look to more unexpected places to find the values. The cooler mountainous area of Italy's Veneto region have long histories with Pinot Noir, and we have been long supporters of the ones from the Alto Adige region for hitting Bourgogne level quality at reasonable prices. This one is coming from the more Eastern/Slovenian border in Friuli, literally on the dividing line for centuries of the Italian and Austro-Hungarian empires. These cooler hillsides have long histories with Pinot Noir as well as pockets of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, and can deliver outstanding values outside of the spotlight of fame. Cool silky fine tannins with no hard edges deliver black cherry skin and peppery berry notes all through the nose and palate, nothing lean or under-ripe, just easy savory enjoyment. Decidedly NOT trying to be a 'New World' style fruit-bomb, this is perfect for everyday meals and by-the-glass drinking.
Regular Price $13.99/btl, $11.89/case
2023 SANTO VENERE CIRO BIANCO CALABRIA
The Greco grape has a foothold throughout most of southern Italy, from Naples down being one of the primary varieties used in their white wines. The grape is probably most famous when coming from the high volcanic mountain vineyards above Naples where Greco di Tufo is made, but it makes durable and reliably tasty wines pretty much everywhere it grows. Calabria is more known to Americans for the historical connections to the Italian mafia than for wine (we've been told, we've heard they're there, we know nothing, snitches get stiches), but quality exists in pockets especially along the coastline and mountains along the Ionian Sea. Coastal breezes and mountain temperature changes help bring much needed cooling freshness to the otherwise warm environment, giving whites like this a distinctive pop. Warm peach and Meyer lemon aromas that catch a bit of flowery prettiness as it gets warmer, but are otherwise fairly zesty at ice-bucket temperatures. The palate is juicy and also loaded with the same fruit on the nose, but finishes with an impressive zing of almost salty citrus skin that really makes the wine distinctive. Fun for chilled down sipping, and can handle a lot of lighter to midweight seafood or vegetable dishes, so it's perfect for backyard activities this Summer.
Regular Price $16.99/btl, $14.44/case
2024 AVANTIS WINERY ESTATE SYRAH ROSE 'AMYGDALIES' GREECE
Syrah is one of the great evolver and adaptive grape varieties, originating in Persia and effectively spreading to every continent with great success. The Roman Empire did much of the heavy lifting in spreading Syrah across Europe, which they had picked up from the Greeks before them, and even with a bevvy of their own native varieties to work with it shouldn't be a surprise that it still has a strong presence in Greek winemaking. A lovely Rose grown within eyeshot of the Mediterranean, this is easy and approachable drinking with lots of juicy cherry fruit to the nose with a bit of soft citrus lingering in the air. The palate is round and softer without a lot of intense acidity, but still very fresh feeling and showing no sweet notes. An easy crushing wine that shows more crispness the cooler it is served, so it's great right out of the fridge.
Regular Price $14.99/btl, $12.74/case
2022 BARGETTO WINERY CHARDONNAY MONTEREY COUNTY
It's hard in California to be both a long time iconic winery AND be under-the-radar, but that can definitely be said about Bargetto as one of the earliest family producers in the Santa Cruz Mountains. With production under their label beginning in the 1930's and one of the earliest producers to focus on Chardonnay (using cuttings from the legendary Mount Eden Vineyard), Bargetto is truly 'Old School'. This wine sources fruit from across the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the top end of Monterey, featuring a classic label design out of their 1940s archives. Vibrant energetic white fruit and lemon curd aromas with only a little bit of supportive oak notes that let the coastal freshness really show through. The palate shows impressive roundness without much of it coming from the buttery notes, more leesy and natural letting the fruit come through naturally on the finish. Classic Californian Chardonnay in every positive way possible.
Regular Price $19.99/btl, $16.99/case
2022 MASSERIA LI VELI PRIMITIVO SALENTO 'ORION'
Primitivo was long suspected of being the genetic parent/predecessor of Zinfandel in California, and years of genetic mapping has more or less determined who begat whom. But it has taken time for the Puglian versions to reach the consistent excellence of the Californian ones. The region is one of Italy's poorest without a lot of international tourism, so the winemaking technology largely lagged behind, being described until the last few decades anywhere from rustic to downright ancient. Masseria Le Veli was one of the earliest estates to invest in modernization across all phases of their production, and wines like this Primitivo show a lot more of the connection to their American cousin. Lots of warm juicy spice and ripe red and black fruit across the aroma, but not venturing into the sweet or jammy levels. A similar character on the palate, lots of flesh but not over-extracted, giving the more savory spices and black pepper notes a chance to come through, and a proper balance to the finish that doesn't show alcoholic heat. An enjoyable everyday red for burgers and red sauces, and (imho) one of the best options for pairing with any regional BBQ rubs or sauces.
Regular Price $18.99/btl, $16.14/case
These wines regularly sell for $99.94
For Select Six July/August they are $85.99
You Save $14.95!
Select Six White (2 of each white) is $88.99
Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $82.99
Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off!
