01/05/2015 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

Lots of events set for Historic Downtown Yuma as the 2015 winter season kicks off, and this weekend brings the first:  Military Appreciation Day. It’s a salute by the community to both active duty military personnel and veterans and their families.  Yuma’s long, close relationship with the armed forces goes back to the days of Fort Yuma and the Yuma Quartermaster Depot, and continues today with the Marine Corps Air Station and the Yuma Proving Ground. This event will go from 9 AM to 5 PM Saturday, January 10^th, with plenty to see and do, including:

 

• A pancake breakfast benefiting Crossroads Mission – just $3 per person  (free for military veterans!) 
• Military displays lining Main Street, including a replica of the battleship USS Arizona
• Special guest speakers in the Historic Yuma Theatre
• A historical photo display in the Yuma Art Center
• Performances from the Cibola and Gila Ridge High School Bands, the Criminal Choir from Yuma High School, DJ Money, and more

There will be lots of great food and drink options available – this is Downtown Yuma after all!  The weather should be great as always, so come hang out on the Main Street Plaza and have some fun Saturday.  Hope you can make it!

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Elena Walch 2013 Gewurztraminer (Alto Adige, Italy)    $22.99
This Gewurz offers an aromatic, ripe nose of lychee, pear, flowers and spice.  On the palate, it’s fleshy and mouthfilling, with juicy tropical fruit flavors edged by tangy notes of bitter grapefruit. A fine mineral edge and zesty acidity comes in on the finish.

 

J Lohr 2013 Falcon’s Perch Pinot Noir (Monterey County)    $16.99
Falcon’s Perch is a blend of 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Valdiguié.  The nose offers aromas of dark berries, rose petals and exotic spices.  It’s delicious and seductive, with dark cherry and berry flavors plus complimentary notes of spice, anise and oak toast.

 

Sangiovese di San Marino 2010 Sangiovese (Republic of San Marino)    $14.99
This 100% Sangiovese from the Republic of San Marino, located in the north of the Italian peninsula, is a textbook example of the varietal.  Enticing, uplifted aromas of spicy cherry with subtle herbal tones give way to a palate of sweet dark cherry and currant fruit, with firm tannins.

 

Four Vines 2009 The Sophisticate Zinfandel (Sonoma County)    $17.99
Nick-named Sophisticate because it expresses the elegant side of Zinfandel, this was kissed with a touch of Petite Sirah and aged in small French and American oak barrels for 14 months.  A spicy nose of anise, caramelized sugar and blackberry jam is followed with lush flavors of blackberry and licorice along with a dash of pepper.

 

Chateau St. Jean 2010 Merlot (Sonoma County)    $22.99
Aromas of sweet black cherry, black plum and toasted almonds burst from the glass of this Sonoma Merlot.  These bright fruit characters carry over onto the palate and mingle with notes of blackberry, chocolate and cedar.  Polished tannins carry it to a smooth finish.

 

Trivento 2012 Golden Reserve Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)    $24.99
Trivento’s Golden Reserve offers rich aromas of black cherry, blackberry, black olives, violets and fennel.  The palate is smooth and plush, with vivid layers of cherry, fig and raspberry fruit followed by cocoa, cedar and licorice notes on a muscular finish.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Starmont 2012 Pinot Noir (Carneros)    $22.99
In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Napa Valley’s Carneros region helped launch a revolution in California Pinot Noir. Its cooler climate and marine-based soils proved ideal for this finicky varietal. The 2012 bottling exudes aromas of cherry, strawberry, black tea, and spice.  The texture is soft and silky, with vibrant acidity and smooth tannins.

 

La Ferla 2009 Nero d’Avola (Sicily, Italy)    $9.99
Nero d’Avola is a red varietal native to Sicily.  This wine exhibit subtle aromas of Indian spices and red raspberries on the nose.  It’s soft and fruity on the palate, with a juicy blackberry/cherry character.

 

The Calling 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)    $32.99
The Calling’s 2011 Cabernet is lush and ripe, with a rich dark cherry and currant character and sweet/spicy scents of anise, nutmeg and vanilla.  Finely textured tannins and layers of complexity extend through a long finish.  This was aged 20 months in French oak, 60% new, and bottled unfined and unfiltered.

 

Traquair Jacobite Ale (Scotland)    $7.99
This beer was first brewed to commemorate the anniversary of Scotland’s 1745 Jacobite rebellion.  Brewed according to an 18^th century recipe, the ale  is enlivened with coriander.  A biscuity quality is balanced by hops and a spicy herbal note, and a bittersweet finish offers hints of chocolate.

 

Cheers!

 

Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona  85364
928-373-0405

 

http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar

 

http://www.yumawine.com