01/24/2012 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

The “beer wall” is just about complete here at the Wine Cellar!  People have started to notice over the past month that more and more great brews, both imported and American craft, are appearing along the wall here at the Cellar.  We’ve re-arranged a bit and added more racks to accommodate the beers, and we now have room for up to three dozen – no six-packs, just bombers (22 oz.) and full bottles (750 ml). The diversity of beer types and styles now in the Cellar is downright dizzying, but they for sure have one thing in common – they’re all great examples of the brewer’s art, and are fully as worthy of contemplation and appreciation as any fine wine.  Not to mention that most, if not all of these beers are fully capable of doing what good wine has always been relied upon to do:  go well with a good meal!
So if you haven’t been here in a while, try to swing by and check out the selection.  And yes, you can most likely expect the occasional beer tasting at the Cellar (probably on a Saturday).  We’ll keep you posted!
THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $10.00 to try them all, or
$10.00 for a full glass:

Jermann 2009 Pinot Grigio (Venezia-Giulia, Italy)    $22.99
Silvio Jermann is known for making some of Italy’s finest white wines in this cool mountainous region of northern Italy.  This Pinot Grigio shows great purity and depth of flavor coupled with a finely etched mineral character, all in perfect balance.  It’s fresh and lightly spicy on the nose, leading to a clean and yet surprisingly rich palate.
Colomé 2010 Torrontés (Calchaquí Valley, Argentina)    $12.99
The most popular white wine of Argentina, the little-known Torrontés varietal is a cross of Muscat and the Mission grape of Spain’s Galicia region.  It’s a crisply refreshing and surprisingly complex white, with floral tones that balance its juicy, fruity essence.
Rocca de Montemassi 2010 Sangiovese Le Focaie (Tuscany, Italy)
$14.99
From the coastal Maremma wine region of Tuscany, Le Focaie offers intense aromas of violets, black cherries and fresh garden herbs.  This has a firm
tannic frame, but instead of the typically lean and rather tart character of most Chianti, it’s surprising soft and fruity on the palate.
Ferrari-Carano 2008 Merlot (Sonoma County)    $19.99
Select lots of grapes were chosen from Ferrari-Canano’s vineyards in
Sonoma County to create this superbly balanced Merlot.  It offers a complex bouquet of ripe dark cherry, pomegranate and plum scents, followed by intricately woven flavors of raspberries and dark plums.  Smooth, supple tannins carry all the generous fruit to a long, silky finish.
Foppiano 2008 Petite Sirah (Russian River Valley)    $18.99
The Foppiano family have owned and operated the winery since 1896.  This estate-grown Petite Sirah, their hallmark varietal, exhibits a huge structure with a rich, deep purple color, complex aromas of spices and peppercorn, and concentrated flavors of ripe berries with a subtle touch of chocolate.
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.
NEW ARRIVALS:

Sterling Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) $24.99
This Napa Cabernet shows expressive aromas of spicy black cherry and ripe blackberry, with light hints of cedar and mocha.  The mouthfilling flavors of juicy black and red fruits laced with clove and allspice, hang on through the lengthy finish.  Silky, ripe tannins structure the wine and contribute to a smooth, plush texture on the palate.
Duval-Leroy Brut Champagne (Reims, France)    $42.99
Duval-Leroy is one of the last family-owned Champagne producers in France.  This is the family’s finest non-vintage cuvée, a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. It delivers bright, juicy tangerine, peach and apple flavors that carry through to a crisp, tangy finish.
La Trappe Dubbel Trappist Ale (The Netherlands)    $12.99
La Trappe’s Dubbel is a deep reddish brown in color with a creamy tan head.  The aroma is of dried fruits and candy, with a hint of hops.  It’s deliciously malty and just slightly sweet, with a soft, fruity character.  It’s well-suited to the dinner table and a superstar with grilled and roasted meats, or spicy cuisine.
AleSmith Old Numbskull Barley Wine San Diego    $12.99
A ‘West Coast-style’ barley wine.  A huge malt profile and an aggressive dose of premium domestic hops gives tantalizing complexity to Old Numbskull, from the aromas to the lingering aftertaste.  The aromas offer toasty caramel hints and a pleasant hoppy character.  The color is deep amber, with a thick tan head and lots of ‘Brussels Lace’.
Cheers!
Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona  85364
928-373-0405

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