02/26/2013 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
This weekend is pretty much all about Midnight at the Oasis; it’s a great annual event here in Yuma and I certainly intend to make it over there this weekend before the festivities come to a close.  But after they do there’s still more great entertainment to be had, right here in Old Town.  This Sunday, March 3^rd, KAWC AM/FM presents Goitse (“Gwi-cha”), an acclaimed Celtic band from Ireland in concert at 2:00 PM at the Historic Yuma Theatre (254 S Main).  Goitse is comprised of Tadhg O’Meachair (piano and accordion), James Harvey (banjo and mandolin), Aine McGeeney (vocals and fiddle), Colm Phelan (bodhran) and Conal O’Kane (guitar).  They’ve achieved international recognition as one of the foremost bands performing Irish traditional music, having performed in Ireland, Finland, Denmark, Africa and the U.S., and have just released their second album, Transformed.
According to the news release, “The quintet is known for its distinctive sound achieved through the individuals’ energy and the quality of their compositions interspersed with well-known traditional tunes, making each set entertaining and unique. Their trademark rhythm section sets a breaktaking pace for the music while the charismatic voice of Áine McGeeney draws audiences into the music in a way few performers can achieve.”
Reserved seating tickets are $15.00, available at the Yuma Art Center box office, Yuma Civic Center, City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Dept., and at the door.  Sounds like a great way to close out the weekend!
THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $10.00 to try them all, or
$10.00 for a full glass:

Navarro 2008 Estate Riesling (Anderson Valley)    $19.99
A superb Alsatian-styled Riesling from one of California’s most acclaimed producers of the varietal.  Scents of star jasmine and clover honey lead to crisp flavors of citrus and Pippin apple;  cool Mendocino County nights contribute bracing acidity and moderate alcohol to keep it light and refreshing.
Tapeña 2009 Garnacha (La Tierra de Castilla, Spain)    $9.99
Spanish Garnacha (Grenache) is peppery, zesty and loaded with fruit.  This one offers fresh aromas of black cherries and crushed raspberries.  On the palate it’s soft and round, with flavors of wild berry and cherry, plus hints of leather, vanilla and sweet oak on a silky finish.
Casa Lapostolle 2010 Canto de Apalta (Rapel Valley, Chile)
$18.99
Lapostolle’s Canto de Apalta is a blend of Carmenere, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.  It’s a wine that embodies the attributes of each grape into a stylish, elegant wine that offers bold fruit and a firm, yet elegant structure.
Columbia Crest 2010 Les Chevaux (Columbia Valley)    $15.99
Les Chevaux is primarily Merlot, along with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.  It opens with a blueberry and sweet oak bouquet, and a touch of black currants.  The palate is medium in body, nicely balanced and packed with fruit, with flavors of ripe blackberry and black cherry, nicely integrated oak and hints of dark chocolate and vanilla.
Wine Guerrilla 2009 Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)    $15.99
Wine Guerrilla, the nom de plume of Zinfandel specialist Bruce Patch, makes a number of single-vineyard premium Sonoma Zins.  This one is from two old-vine sites on Dry Creek Road, Biglieri Vineyard and Cartee Vineyard.  It’s classic Dry Creek Zin, fruit-filled and spice-laden, a vibrant expression of the varietal.
Castello Banfi 2009 BelnerO (Tuscany, Italy)    $27.99
Banfi’s BelnerO is primarily Sangiovese, with small additions of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The nose offers fruity notes of blackberries and spicy hints of tobacco and coffee.  In the mouth, this wine is powerful, warm and soft, ending with a savory note of vanilla.
NEW ARRIVALS:
Martin Ray 2011 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)    $18.99
100% Pinot Noir, this wine spent 8 months in French oak.  It shows a wonderful bright ruby color, and offers aromas of wild berry fruit with a light touch of earth.  The flavors are full of cherry and raspberry with a soft finish – a perfect match with grilled salmon.
Raimat 2009 Chardonnay (Catalonia, Spain)    $9.99
This is a fresh and clean, yet deliciously creamy and flavorful Spanish Chardonnay  that offers a juicy mix of ripe peach, pear and pineapple fruit flavors.  Balanced acidity with a fine mineral edge enlivens the finish.
Passopisciaro 2007 Rosso Sicilia (Sicily, Italy)    $24.99
Passopisciaro is 100% Nerello Mascalese, grown on the slopes of Sicily’s Mount Etna volcano.  It’s a seemingly light, yet powerful wine, redolent of candied cherries, flowers, spices and minerals.  A lovely density and purity
of flavor carries it to a lingering finish.
Atrea 2009 The Choir White (Mendocino County)    $18.99
The Choir is a blend of 62% Roussanne and 38% Viognier.  A hugely aromatic nose exudes complex scents of orange blossoms, Asian pear, ginger and jasmine.  The palate shows well defined flavors of stone fruits like peaches, pears and apricots.  It has fine richness and bright acidity, without any excess weight.
Cheers!

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

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http://www.yumawine.com