02/27/2017 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

This weekend brings the annual Midnite at the Oasis car show and festival here in Yuma, pretty much indisputable proof that Spring has arrived in the Desert Southwest.  There’s no denying it’s a great local event and lots of fun for all, but if you’re looking for a more tranquil, nature-based activity this weekend, there are some things on tap here in the Historic Downtown area worthy of consideration:

 

Saturday afternoon, March 4^th, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area docent Kevin Stoleson will present “The Colorado River at the Yuma Crossing: A Brief History” while conducting a guided hike to the Herb Guenther Overlook within the beautiful Yuma East Wetlands.  The hike begins at 2PM from the end of the parking area by Riverside Park below the Yuma Territorial Prison Park.  No sign-up is needed and there’s no cost to join the tour; call 317-0332 for more info.

 

Also on Saturday, Yuma Parks & Rec will offer a Sunset Canoe Trip on the Colorado River from 5 to 9PM.   The tour departs from Gateway Park and is open to participants aged 6 and up; the fee is $20 per person.  For more info and registration, contact Parks and Rec at 373-5200.

 

Whatever your preference this weekend, here’s to celebrating the arrival of Spring in Yuma!

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Emmolo 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)    $17.99
This is a fresh and fragrant Sauvignon Blanc, with bright, tangy ruby grapefruit, sweet lime, gooseberry and orange blossom on the nose.  There’s plenty of depth and dimension to the flavors as well, with citrus, passionfruit and guava notes that lead to a crisp, clean finish.

 

Stoller Family Estate 2014 Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills, Oregon)    $27.99
Crafted exclusively from estate-grown fruit, Stoller’s Dundee Hills Pinot is made in an elegant, approachable style. It has aromas of brambleberry and cherry with floral notes of lilac and violets and understated hints of cola and cinnamon. The palate features a purity of red fruit flavors, bright acidity and polished tannins, with a rich and lasting finish.

 

Vega Tolosa 2012 11 Pinos Old Vine Bobal (Manchuela, Spain)    $9.99
Vega Tolosa has been owned and operated by the Tolosa family since 1905.  This wine, made from the native Bobal varietal, is from vines over 80 years old.  Plum jam and red cherry fruit emerges on the nose, along with savory hints of pungent herbs. Gentle acidity gives a welcome lift to the jammy flavors of cherry, plum and red currant.

 

Terra d’Oro 2014 Petite Sirah (Amador County)    $17.99
This Amador Petite Sirah offers a delightful aroma profile of cracked peppercorns, bay leaf and clove, with light toffee notes in the background.  The palate is a rich mouthful of ripe  black fruits, framed by firm tannins and a nice dash of toasty oak at the finish.

 

Gundlach Bundschu 2013 Mountain Cuvée (Sonoma County)    $19.99
The Mountain Cuvée is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, 100% estate-grown.  Savory hints of toasted oak and spicy notes of plum and black cherry mingle on the nose.  In the mouth, flavors of raspberry and black currant are complemented by chocolate and cedar accents.

 

Zenato 2012 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:

 

Marqués de Vargas 2010 Rioja Reserva (Rioja, Spain)    $25.99
On the nose, this Reserva offers exotic aromas of vanilla, clove and cinnamon. A smooth, silky palate shows abundant dark cherry and black plum fruit flavors, with exotic hints of fresh earth, tobacco and Indian spice that carry to the finish.

 

Gunderloch 2014 Riesling Spätlese (Rheinhessen, Germany)    $24.99
A deliciously opulent and concentrated Spätlese, this wine overflows with pure, ripe mango, passionfruit and pear aromas on the nose, with a similar fruit-basket of flavors melding on the creamy palate.  There’s sufficient acidity to support all of that fruit, along with a keen mineral edge.

 

Castelli di Grevepesa 2014 Toscana Rosso (Tuscany, Italy)    $14.99
Castelli di Grevepesa’s Toscana Rosso is an uncomplicated and easy-drinking red blend with an enticing Tuscan character.  Aromas of spicy cherry and subtle herbal tones give way to a palate of sweet dark cherry and currant fruit, with firm tannins.

 

Belching Beaver Brewery Great Lei Pineapple Colada IPA (Oceanside, California)    $6.99
The Great Lei is an IPA brewed with fresh pineapples and coconuts. It pours a golden orange, with tropical aromas of pineapples, guava, coconut and a blast of citrusy hops. Pineapple and coconut flavors really do evoke a piña colada, but with a nicely crisp and hoppy finish.

 

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