03/11/2014 Newsletter
Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
Entertainment options abound here in Old Town as we head into the St. Pattie’s Day weekend. As I mentioned last week, Yuma Fine Arts presents the 2014 Taste of Fine Art wine tasting event this Friday, March 14th from 6PM to 9PM in the Art Center Museum at the Yuma Art Center (254 S. Main) – visit www.yumafinearts.org for more info.
And a couple great options for Saturday the 15th: Yuma Rotary’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, Dance, Auction & Costume Contest will be at the Hilton Pivot Point Conference Center from 5:30 PM to 1:00 AM; admission is $75 person (or $400 for a table of 8), you can pick up tickets on-line at www.RotaryStPats.com. As always, all proceeds benefit Yuma area youth activities & scholarships. I’m going to be there, I just haven’t figured out my costume as of yet…
Finally, Arizona Classical Ballet Performing Company of Yuma presents their annual “Artistry on Pointe” gala Saturday evening from 6 to 9PM at the Yuma Art Center. It’s a memorable evening of ballet, song and string performances, along with tapas, drinks, desserts and auctions. Tickets are $25 a person, $40 for couples, available on-line at www.artistryonpointe.eventbrite.com – call 782-3516 for more info.
There you have it, lots to do. The only thing left to say is of course, you’ll want to start things off this week with another great wine tasting at the Cellar!
THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $10.00 to try all six, or $10.00 for a glass:
Luna Vineyards 2012 Pinot Grigio (Napa Valley) $12.99
This wine offers a wonderfully expressive nose of pear, peach and apricot. On the palate, a forward surge of lemon zest and a touch of pine nut leads to broad tones of citrus, fig, pear and pineapple. Honeysuckle and orange marmalade notes frame the crisp finish.
Laetitia 2012 Estate Pinot Noir (Arroyo Grande Valley) $22.99
Exuding dark multerry tones and aromas of cranberry and spiced plums, this Pinot is rich and medium-bodied. Youthful flavors of pomegranate, sandalwood and black cherry are married beautifully with spicy cedar and smoke accents, all framed with silky tannins.
Trivento 2011 Amado Sur Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) $14.99
Trivento’s Amado Sur Malbec begins with an aromatic, enticing nose of jammy black fruit and baking spices. The palate offers plenty of rich fruit with a touch of licorice, and even a hint of dark chocolate. It ends with a lengthy finish full of fruit and smoky spice.
Pasqua 2010 Rosso Passimento (Veneto, Italy) $15.99
Essentially a turbo-charged Valpolicella, this wine is made with partially dried grapes to concentrate the flavors. It contains some Merlot in addition to the indigenous Corvina and Croatina grapes to add smoothness. The result is a succulent red with rich flavors of red cherry jam, raisins and spice, yet it remains savory and dry through the finish.
Niner Wine Estates 2010 Bootjack Ranch Syrah (Paso Robles) $23.99
Grapes for this wine were grown at Bootjack Ranch, an estate vineyard situated on the east side of the Salinas River in Paso Robles. Perfumed aromas of blueberry and violet greet the nose. It’s pliant, gently sweet and fresh, with a building spiciness to its rich ripe dark berry fruit and floral pastille flavors.
Gallo Signature Series 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) $35.99
Gallo’s 2010 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex wine, with intense layers of blackberry and currant fruit framed by hints of chocolate and spice. Velvety tannins meld with hints of warm oak to create a long, supple finish.
NEW ARRIVALS:
Friedrich Wilhelm Gymnasium 2011 Riesling Trocken (Mosel Valley, Germany) $17.99
This wine was crafted in the drier style that’s most favored in Germany – trocken (off-dry), much like the Rieslings produced in the neighboring Alsace region of France. It’s a bright, racy style of Riesling, with tangy acidity and fresh, snappy peach, apricot and apple flavors.
Black Billy 2008 Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) $19.99
This McLaren Vale Shiraz exudes bright blueberry, plum and sweet spice aromas. In the mouth it’s velvety, round and open-textured, showing a solid tannic structure and enough snappy acidity to balance its rich fruit all the way through a long finish.
Dow’s 2011 Vintage Port (Douro Valley, Portugal) $94.99
Intoxicating aromas of crushed berries, lilac, violets and mineral mingle on the nose, followed by aromas of peppercorns and Asian spices. On the palate, the wine shows tremendous depth, with medium sweetness, gripping tannins and a lengthy, chewy finish. A powerful Port – this will age for decades…
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier (Bavaria, Germany) $3.99
Weihenstephan was first established in 1040, and is recognized as the oldest brewery in the world. This Hefeweissbier offers rich, bread-like flavors, along with a tangy lemony citrus character and a complex array of tropical fruit sweetness. The hop profile is mild, allowing the spicy and herbal notes to swirl around freely. The finish is clean, with a zesty citrus aftertaste.
Cheers!
Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona 85364
928-373-0405
http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar
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