03/03/2015 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

The Midnight at the Oasis car show and related festivities is the big ticket event hereabouts this week, but there are a few other items of note here in Historic Downtown as well.  This Friday, March 6^th, you can get your 70’s thing on at the Historic Yuma Theatre when the Yuma Art Center presents ABBA Fab, “the Premier ABBA Experience.”  I really don’t expect the original four to be on hand, but you know the tunes will still be as catchy as they were way back when.  The show starts at 7 PM, tickets are $20 and seating is reserved – call the Art Center at 373-5202 for tickets & more info.

 

And on a slightly higher-brow note, the 2015 Arizona Archaeology Expo is at the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Park on Saturday, March 7^th from 9 AM to 4 PM.  Admission is free and per the AZ State Parks website, “…the Expo will feature archaeology-related hands-on activities, craft demonstrations, and other fun and educational events including special displays and booths by archaeological and historical organizations, museums, Native American tribes and state and federal agencies. In addition, tours of local archaeological sites will be offered.”  Sure sounds like an interesting diversion if you’re not into old cars…

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Miraflores 2014 Pinot Grigio (Sierra Foothills)    $17.99
This is a crisp and refreshing Pinot Grigio with a beautiful floral nose, revealing hints of honeyed melon, orange rind and white pear.  Juicy apple, white pear and citrus flavors come through vividly on the palate, with a rich and creamy undertone and a hint of dried herbs.

 

Liberty School 2012 Pinot Noir (Central Coast)    $17.99
A deep garnet color in the glass, this offers aromas of flowers and strawberries.  The flavor profile is all about cherries, strawberries and spice.  Smooth, balanced tannins carry to a silky finish.  All in all, this displays far more finesse and restraint than usually seen in reasonably priced California Pinot Noirs.

 

Gran Passione 2011 Barbera d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy)    $12.99
This is a round, balanced northern Italian red, featuring rich black cherry, raspberry, spice and tobacco elements that offset a firm structure. Subtle toasted oak notes give this additional depth and complexity. A powerful, heady Barbera, with fine length and a satisfyingly dry finish.

 

Domaine La Garrigue 2011 Côtes du Rhône (Rhone Valley, France)    $15.99
This is a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah sourced from 60 to 90 year old vines.  A fresh nose gives pepper, red fruit and some earthy aromas.  In the mouth, red fruit flavors of raspberry and plum show plenty of brightness and acidity, with youthful tannins and sweet spice accents.

 

Hearst Ranch Winery 2011 Three Sisters Cuvée (Paso Robles)    $21.99
This Paso blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre offers plentiful aromas of strawberry and toffee, along with subtle floral and pepper-spice notes.  The flavor profile displays ripe dark cherry, strawberry and toasty vanilla flavors supported by refreshing acidity.

 

Trinchero Family 2009 Merlot, Chicken Ranch Vineyard (Napa Valley)    $29.99
Ideally situated on the northern edge of the Rutherford appellation, Trinchero’s 28-acre Chicken Ranch Vineyard yields elegant and distinctive Merlot.  The 2009 release is an old-world style of the varietal, with raspberry and cigar-box aromas, rich red fruit flavors and structured tannins.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Eric Chevalier 2011 Muscadet Cotes de Grand Lieu (Loire Valley, France)    $14.99
This fragrant Loire white offers expressive aromas of citrus, apricots and wildflowers.  It’s refreshingly clean in the mouth, with a savory saline note and a crunchy, defined mineral character.  Juicy white fruit flavors dominate the front-palate and a distinctive pear-skin accent enlivens the brisk finish.

 

Bodega Renacer 2011 Enamore (Mendoza, Argentina)    $24.99
This Amarone-style Argentinean red offers opulent, complex aromas of dried cherry, raisin, spice and licorice with nuances of dried herbs and a savory earthiness. The palate is rich and robust, with flavors that mirror the nose, with stronger accents of spice and clove. A long, persistent finish completes this smoothly seductive wine.

 

900 Grapes 2013 Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand)    $14.99
This Kiwi Pinot exudes sweet, ripe black cherry and berry fruit aromas with spice and herbal undertones.  A surprisingly full palate is well balanced with layers of dark cherry, plum and berry fruit and a light hint of oak toast, culminating in a silky finish.

 

Rogue Brewing Sriracha HOT Stout (Newport, Oregon)    $14.99
Rogue’s Sriracha Stout is made with Huy Fong original hot sauce and sun-ripened Rogue Farms ingredients.  It’s the perfect match with soups, sauces, pastas, pizza, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chow mein or anything else that you might to wash down with a spicy kick!
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