02/22/2016 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

This week brings us Lettuce Days, certainly one of the premier events of Yuma’s winter season.  But another event taking place here in Historic Downtown is certainly worth a mention.  On Sunday, February 28^th at 2PM, the Celtic group Teada (“tay’dah”), a leading exponent of Irish music on the world music stage, will be performing at the Historic Yuma Theater (254 S. Main Street).

 

Teada is a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Israel, and Australia.  The performance in Yuma is particularly special – it’s the start of their “Reawakening Tour”, a celebration of 100 years of Irish freedom.  Using a blend of exhilarating music, song and dance enhanced with historic video footage and still images, the troupe commemorates the 1916 Irish Rising, and in the process delivers a powerful, exciting performance that will have audiences cheering for all things Irish!

 

Tickets for the event are $25, available at the Yuma Art Center (same address) and online at www.yumashowtickets.com.  The performance is presented by KAWC, Yuma’s Public Radio station.  Sounds like a great way to start getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day!

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING):

 

Bottega Vinaia 2014 Pinot Grigio (Trentino, Italy)    $17.99
This begins with bright aromas of orchard fruits like apple and pear, along with floral tones and a hint of orange peel.  The palate shows an intensity and persistence that’s rarely found in Pinot Grigio.  It’s fresh, dry and flavorful, with a crisp, refreshing finish.

 

Tenuta di Arceno 2013 Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy)    $15.99
This Classico begins with fresh black cherry aromas mixed in with hints of leather, earth, plums and violets.  The palate is medium in body, with supple tannins and brisk acidity.  Classic Chianti flavors of ripe black cherries and plums are accented by a hint of licorice.

 

Ryder Estate 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Coast)    $12.99
Ryder Estate’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied and elegant, with scents of black currants and dark cherries accented by hints of dark chocolate and vanilla. Alluring flavors of blackberries and blueberries create a lush mid-palate, ending with a fine, savory finish.

 

North by Northwest 2013 Red Blend (Columbia Valley)    $15.99
North by Northwest is a project of King Estate Winery, a premier Pacific Northwest producer for over 25 years.  This Washington blend of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon offers an alluring nose of blackberry fruit and notes of spicy vanilla.  A robust, fruit-filled palate is framed with smooth, silky tannins.

 

Beran 2013 California Zinfandel    $18.99
Grapes for Beran Zinfandel are sourced from multi-generational growers in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Amador County and other premium appellations. This cuvée has aromas of blueberry pie, raspberry and dark chocolate. The palate is deliciously rich, with juicy cherry/berry fruit flavors along with hints of cloves and pepper on the finish.

 

Zenato 2011 Valpolicella Ripassa (Veneto, Italy)    $29.99
This Ripassa opens with aromas of juicy black plums and coffee-scented spice.  In the mouth, a ripe core of juicy currant and black plum fruit is accented with elements of spice and toasted oak.  It’s a rich, mouth-filling red, with fruit-drenched tannins and a  lingering, spicy finish.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Cosa Obra 2012 Proprietor’s Red (Sonoma County)    $29.99

The 2012 Cosa Obra Red is a Northern Rhone-styled blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache.  It has a heady nose of blackberry and black pepper, with hints of earth.  It’s impressively rich, yet balanced and well structured, with intense dark fruit flavors that carry it to a long and spicy finish.

 

Descendientes de J. Palacios 2013 Pétalos Mencia (Bierzo, Spain)    $24.99

The region of Bierzo in northwest Spain is a gaining lot of notice lately. Mencia, the predominant grape grown there, benefits  from the cooler climate, hillside vineyards, mineral-laden soil and very old vines.  All these conditions help to make wines with fine concentration, complexity and purity.

 

Vera 2014 Vinho Verde (Portugal)    $11.99

The Vera is as fresh and light as the maritime climate of northern Portugal.  Drink this as the Portuguese do, chilled as an end of the work day relaxing apéritif, or as a delicious partner with snacks and lighter fare like sushi, seafood, pasta and salads.

 

Stone Brewing Double Bastard in the Rye (Escondido)    $17.99

This Double Bastard, aged in Templeton Rye whiskey barrels, is mind-blowing and intense, with an elevated spice / vanilla character from the barrel aging. Rye whiskey tones meld mid-palate with the typically colossal Double Bastard Ale hop-and-malt presence, adding a dimension to the beer’s already deep, rich, caramel-like flavors.

 

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