August's 6 for 60-something sampler is the perfect way to finish up the summer and to start fall. 5 reds, 1 white, and all delicious! As usual, the wines are available on their own as well, but in order to celebrate the lid-lifter of football season properly, do the entire sampler. Drink up!

2004 FONTANA "MESTA" TEMPRANILLO *$7.00
COUNTRY: Spain
REGION: La Mancha
GRAPE: 100% tempranillo

La Mancha is a large growing region that encompasses Central Spain. It is here that we are seeing many great values in red wine such as this. Deep and bright ruby color. Fruit driven nose with enticing aromas of ripe red berry fruits. In mouth it shows ripe and chewy tannins and a good concentration of ripe fruit, finishes with firm tannins and good persistence. A darling everyday red at a darling price!

2005 PRENDO PINOT GRIGIO *$10.00
COUNTRY: Italy
REGION: Alto Adige up near the Austrian border
GRAPE: 100% pinot gris/pinot grigio/gray pinot

Prendo is the hip, stylish and sleekly packaged new Northern Italian pinot grigio project from Elena and Wilhelm Walch. Known more for spendier offerings, the Walchs decided to create something inexpensive, yummy and cool to look at and to drink. Forward fleshy aromas and flavors of white peach, tangerine, pear, white flowers and a kiss of aromatic spice. Stuffed to the brim with flavor but the finish is crisp, clean and dry. This is a wonderful sipper to start a meal, with an array of seafood dishes and white meats.

2005 JOEL ROCHETTE BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES VIEILLES VIGNES *12.00
COUNTRY: France
REGION: Beaujolais in Southern Burgundy
GRAPE: 100% gamay

Thanks to Nouveau, Beaujolais is probably the most misunderstood wine region in France. There are two camps of Beaujolais, the big, banana-juice producing carbonic maceration producers and the small farmers who hand craft dry wines using classical winemaking techniques. Joel Rochette is a rather recent discovery for us. 2005 is wonderful for this region and this old-vine offering emits gorgeous, fragrant strawberry tones, roses, granite and gentle spices. Dry, classy, complete, vrai Beaujolais! Cushiony fruit and a minerality that is reminiscent of the cru Morgon. Screams out for roasted chicken and chanterelles.

2003 MAYOL MALBEC *$11.00
COUNTRY: Argentina
REGION: Mendoza
GRAPE: 100% malbec

Argentina is no longer just known for military coups, there are many fine wines grown there. Mayol’s vineyards are at 3000 feet, typical for Mendoza, which brings both big full fruit as well as cool, fresh tones to balance everything out.

The 2003 Malbec is deep and serious, almost brooding, with a rich core of black fruits surrounded by aromatic black tea scents, licorice, Mexican hot cocoa, warm spices and a fresh, earthy quality that finishes with a cool high-elevation lift. A classy drink for a great price, we were happy to sit around and drink a glass of this but it is a definite food wine. Enjoy with braised lamb and slow-cooked pork shoulder, perfect for Mexican food night.

2004 MARCHESI DI BAROLO "MARAIA" BARBERA *$8.00
COUNTRY: Italy
REGION: Piedmont
GRAPE: 100% barbera

One of the great names in Piemontese winemaking, Cantine dei Marchesi di Barolo dates back as far as the 12th century and since 1929 the cellars have been owned by the Abbona family. Today they own about 100 acres of vineyard in the Langhe, including some of the finest vineyards in the district. 2004 is a classic vintage bringing wonderful freshness and drinkability to this wine. This barbera is full of aromas of red cherry, blueberry and flowers setting the stage with some vanilla-laden tobacco and spice. Real, pure and fresh with a round mouthfeel and a very friendly personality…a heck of a deal. This is the perfect red for all occasions with grilled, braised and roasted fare.

2003 CLOS DE CAVEAU VACQUEYRAS *17.00
COUNTRY: France
REGION: Southern Rhône Valley in Provence
GRAPE: 70% grenache 30% syrah

Upgraded in 1989 from Cotes-du-Rhone Villages status, the appellation of Vacqueyras has brought forth many exciting wines from the various terroirs of the region. One of our favorites is Clos des Caveau. Essentially they are within the boundaries of Gigondas, but ancient politics kept this terroir in Vacqueyras. We should all be thankful for this because the wine is about 10 bucks cheaper with the Vacqueyras label. Clos du Caveau’s situation is unique with its virtual wind-tunnel effect that comes from woods that sit adjacent to their site and the Dentelles mountains creating a microclimate all of their own. Revealing lots of provençal scents like lavender and thyme along with gorgeous cherry fruit, it is classy and spicy with a good old-viney core of fruit and svelte structure. Drink now and over the next 6-8 years with dishes like grilled leg of spiked with rosemary, garlic and sea salt.