03/10/2015 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

St. Pattie’s Day is just around the corner, and Yuma Rotary’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, Dance, Auction & Costume Contest will once again celebrated at the Pivot Point Conference Center here in Historic Downtown this Saturday, March 14^th from 5:30 PM to 1:00 AM.  Admission is $75 person (or $400 for a table of 8).  Live music will be provided by local favorites the Chuckwalla Rhythm Kings, and there will be some great prizes for the costume contest.  Proceeds go towards Yuma area youth activities and scholarships.  For more info and tickets, call 916-705-5306.

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Bottega Vinaia 2013 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.

 

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.

 

Goose Ridge 2010 G3 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley)    $14.99
This Washington Cabernet offers scents of bright cherry, currant and raspberry, plus hints of toasted oak and vanilla.  In the glass, flavors of black cherries and plums come to a lingering finish.  Polished tannins, moderate palate weight and balanced acidity make this easy to drink.

 

Peter Lehmann 2012 Portrait Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia)    $15.99
This wine’s bouquet offers hints of classic Barossa chocolate, plus dark plum aromas.  It’s robust and firm, but not at all heavy on the palate with rich, mouth-filling blackberry and plum fruit flavors that get a lift from a pleasant touch of well-seasoned French oak.

 

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.

 

Wine Guerrilla 2010 Zinfandel, Conte Vineyard (Russian River Valley)    $29.99
This is a delicious ‘field blend’ of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Grenache and Carignan. A rich nose of spicy cherry pie has hints of tobacco and leather.  Give it a few minutes to open, and you’ll be rewarded with well-integrated tannins and deep, complex flavors of black cherry, plum and peppery spice with a touch of espresso.  Only 120 cases were produced.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Bell Wine Cellars 2013 Big Guy Red (California)    $15.99
The Big Guy Red is a classic ‘bistro blend’ of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, punched up with a healthy dose of Syrah. The wine delivers plenty of tasty, pleasant dark fruit character, a nice touch of sweet oak and moderate tannins, a great choice for every day enjoyment.

 

Piccini 2008 Sasso al Poggio (Tuscany, Italy)    $22.99
This is a blend of 60% Sangiovese, mixed with equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  The wine was aged in French oak barrels for a year prior to bottling.  A nose of ripe raspberry and red cherry is uplifted by a toasty vanilla note.  The palate is round yet finely balanced, with plenty of dark fruit plus an edge of minerality that comes in at the finish.

 

The Seeker 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)    $14.99
This has aromas of zesty citrus, grapefruit and passion fruit, with a hint of fresh green herbs. A refreshingly vibrant palate offers a core of sweet fruit leading to a juicy finish. A wine ideally suited for shellfish, salads, citrus-sauced dishes, ocean voyages and lounging in the park on a warm summer day.

 

John Henry West Indies Pale Ale (Cold Spring, Minnesota)    $6.99
This is an American Strong Ale style of beer – and there’s nothing pale about it in the glass.  It pours dark and rich with strong malty and caramel aromas.  The flavors are a heady mix of sweet toffee, rum, dark fruit and even chocolate, with just enough hops to rein in the sweetness.

 

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