01-03-2012 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

Coming up this week here in Old Town, our first of 2012, The Yuma Art Center presents Remembering The Ladies at the Historic Yuma Theatre (254 S. Main) on Sunday, January 8^th.  According to the playbill: “British Singer-Comedienne-Entertainer Toni Morrell performs a multi-media
tribute to the ‘Legendary Ladies of Music, Stage and Screen’ through song,
story and film clips.  In her own unique style, she salutes standouts such as Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, Shirley Bassey, Marlene Dietrich, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe, Liza Minnelli, Lena Horne, Cher, Bette Midler, Peggy Lee, Debbie Reynolds and many others.  Toni’s great singing voice, quirky English
humor and story-telling combine with film clips to create a loving homage to
the greatest female entertainers of all time.”
Remembering The Ladies was voted “Best Solo Show in California Theatre 2010” and was nominated for “Best Special Theatre Event in LA 2011” by BroadwayWorld.com.  Sunday’s show begins at 7:00 PM and reserved seating tickets are $20, available at the Art Center box office, Yuma Parks & Rec or on-line; call the Art Center at 373-5202 for a quick run-down on all your options.
Also, I want to welcome Lighthouse Coffee Bar & Bistro to Main Street!
Frank & Fran Sharples opened up a few months ago over at First & Madison with the intention of coming over to Main Street when circumstances allowed, and they are now all moved in and open for business at 330 S. Main,
right next to Prickly Pear.  The Lighthouse boasts a full espresso bar, along with a variety of fresh made sandwiches, home-made soups, salads and desserts.  They’re open from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday–Friday and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday; phone is 783-7000.  Check them out!
THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $10.00 to try them all, or
$10.00 for a full glass:

Miraflores 2010 Pinot Grigio (Sierra Foothills)    $15.99
This is a superbly crisp Pinot Grigio with a beautiful floral nose, revealing
hints of honeyed melon, orange rind and white pear.  Juicy apple, white pear and citrus fruit flavors show through vividly on the palate, with a rich, creamy undertone and a hint of dried herbs.
Halter Ranch 2009 Estate Viognier (Paso Robles)     $22.99
Once found only in a small area of southern France’s Rhone River Valley, Viognier is emerging as a popular white wine varietal.  This fresh, delicious wine offers aromas of spring wildflowers and tangerine, and delivers vivid flavors of honeysuckle, ripe peaches and citrus.
Friedrich Becker 2008 Estate Pinot Noir (Pfalz, Germany)     $22.99
German Pinot Noir, known there as Spätburgunder, is slowly gaining relevancy on a world scale.  The style is typically light in body and softly fruited.  This version, from one of the country’s foremost producers, is full of bright, spicy raspberry, cherry and currant flavors.  The vivid fruit character is balanced by crisp acidity and a keen mineral edge.
Peter Lehmann 2007 Clancy’s Red (Barossa Valley, Australia)    $14.99
A focused and flavorful Aussie red, Clancy’s overflows with brilliant
blackberry and plum flavors that are nicely edged with hints of thyme and black pepper.  The flavors never lose their zing through the polished, elegant finish.   A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Mas de la Dame 2006 La Gourmande (Les Baux de Provence, France)    $17.99
This organically grown wine is a 50/50 mix of Grenache and Syrah (all hand-harvested), and it’s vinified naturally.  It has fresh, robust red cherry and dark plum fruit flavors, with smooth yet nicely assertive tannins.  The ample fruit is accented by a touch of spice, and just maybe a hint of dried herbs… de Provence.
Miraflores 2009 Estate Tempranillo (El Dorado County)    $22.99
The classic grape of Spain’s Rioja region.  This Sierra Foothills bottling
offers intense aromas and flavors of blackberry, blueberry and mission fig,
plus accents of dark cocoa, tobacco leaf and pepper spice.  The refined palate has firm, smooth tannins and a long, lush finish laced with hints of freshly roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate.
NEW ARRIVALS:
Achaval Ferrer 2010 Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)    $24.99
Achaval Ferrer is one of Argentina’s premier producers of the country’s
signature varietal.  This wine opens with lovely aromas of violets and crushed raspberries and follows through to a vivid palate of ripe blackberry fruit, edged  with complex notes of black pepper and toast.
Chalone Vineyard 2007 Estate Pinot Noir (Monterey County)    $29.99
Opulent currant and black cherry aromas are accentuated by a light earthiness, like a pine forest after a rain. The same fruit elements in the powerful flavors mingle with light hints of smoky oak and vanilla and build through the long, sweet finish.  It’s harmonious, complex and elegant, with a distinctive mineral edge.

Thomas Schmitt 2007 Riesling Spätlese (Mosel Valley, Germany)    $16.99
This fully-ripened Riesling offers intense aromas of peach and apricot on the
nose, with equally intense and vivid fruit flavors on the lush, juicy palate.  It’s balanced by a finely honed acidity on the fresh finish.
Van Steenberge Gulden Draak Ale (Belgium)    $12.99
Gulden Draak is a dark brown Tripel Ale, which makes it an exception among the Belgian Tripels.  It balances a rich, malty toffee-like sweetness with a creamy and mellow character and mild hoppy tones.  This “Barley wine” is double-fermented, using wine yeast on the second go-round in the bottle.
Cheers!
Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona  85364
928-373-0405

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