03/13/2012 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

I want to give everyone a little advance notice this week about the 2012
Taste of Fine Art.  On Friday evening, March 30^th, Yuma Fine Arts Association presents their 9^th annual wine tasting extravaganza from 6:00 to 9:00 PM in the beautiful Art Center Museum located in the Yuma Art Center (254 S. Main Street).  There will be a variety of fine wines to sample (selected by yours truly) along with an array of great appetizers prepared by chefs from a number of the finest restaurants in Yuma.  As always, there will also be a silent auction of original artworks and other great items donated by local businesses and supporters of the arts (including again, yours truly).  Not to toot my own horn too much…  Admission to the festivities this year is just
$35.00, and as always you can purchase your tickets right here at the Wine
Cellar.  It’s a really fun event, and a great way to support the arts in Yuma, so get your tickets soon!
THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $10.00 to try them all, or
$10.00 for a full glass:

La Sirena 2011 Moscato Azul (Napa Valley/Paso Robles)   $29.99
The Moscato Azul exhibits the uniquely perfumed bouquet, spiciness and tropical fruit and floral character that are typical of the Muscat varietal.  It’s wonderfully clean and fresh on the palate, offering tons of flavor and staying enticingly fresh and surprising dry all through the crisp finish.
Castello D’Albola 2007 Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy)   $15.99
This Classico begins with fresh black cherry aromas mixed in with hints of
leather, earth, plums and violets.  The palate is medium in body, with supple tannins and brisk acidity.  Classic Chianti flavors of ripe black cherries and plums are accented by a hint of licorice.

Wyndham Estate 2008 Founder’s Reserve Shiraz (South Eastern Australia)  $17.99
An outstanding example of Aussie Shiraz, showcasing rich plum and
blackberry flavors that are deftly accented by subtle touches of white pepper
and Asian spice. The generous and vividly tched flavors stay in harmonious
balance all through the smooth, lingering finish.
Beaulieu Vineyard 2008 Merlot (Napa Valley)    $19.99
This is an elegant, balanced Napa Merlot, made with fruit sourced from prime valley vineyards.  It opens with a rich bouquet of black cherries, plus a note of vanilla from oak barrel aging.  A vibrant fruit character of dark cherry and
wild berry fruit flavors is framed by smooth and supple tannins.
David Bruce 2009 Petite Syrah (California)    $19.99
This Petite is made with fruit sourced from premium vineyard sites in Paso
Robles and Monterey County.  It opens with lush blackberry and blueberry aromas, plus a kick of white pepper.  Bright, spice-tinged flavors ride on a dense but supple and balanced mouthfeel.  Limited use of new oak allows the fruit to shine through beautifully.
Miraflores 2009 Zinfandel (El Dorado County)    $24.99
This is a dense, layered and complex Sierra Foothills Zin that’s packed with
deep, rich fruit. Scents of black currant and bittersweet chocolate lead to
complex black cherry, fresh anise and white pepper flavors.  The tannins are ripe but remain powerful through a lengthy finish.

NEW ARRIVALS:

M. Chapoutier 2008 Crozes-Hermitage La Petit Ruche (Rhone Valley, France)    $21.99
Chapoutier is renowned for producing some of the finest wines in the entire Rhone Valley region. Northern Rhone 100% Syrah wines such as this Crozes-Hermitage are their specialty.  This wine exhibits fresh aromas of black currants and raspberries, and lush black fruit flavors edged with tangy spice and mineral tones.
Folie à Deux 2009 Merlot (Napa Valley)   $17.99
This classic Napa Valley Merlot shows tantalizing aromas of ripe cherries and  raspberries along with aspicy touch of white pepper.  A medium-bodied wine, it offers rich and juicy wild berry flavors edged by a hint of dark chocolate.
Gabbiano 2008 Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy)   $14.99
The Sangiovese for this wine is sourced at higher elevations in the Classico zone.  On the nose, a delicate floral bouquet of violets mixes with hints of cherry jam and tobacco.  The palate offers clean blackberry and dark cherry
flavors, spice elements and fine balancing acidity.  The tannins are smooth and well integrated, leading to a crisply dry finish.
Great Divide Imperial Stout Espresso Oak Aged Yeti (Denver,
Colorado)    $11.99
Espresso Oak Aged Yeti is yet aother new member of the Yeti family.  A generous infusion of espresso adds yet another layer of complexity to this  beer, combining with a vanilla oak character, intense roasted malts and a bold hop profile in a whole new breed of mythical critter.
Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet (Belgium)    $11.99
Tripel Karmeliet is still brewed to an authentic beer recipe from 1679 originated in a Belgian Carmelite monastery.  The recipe calls for the use
of 3 grains: wheat, oats and barley. Then after brewing, it’s re-fermented in
the bottle to produce a robust, yet smooth, fruit-and-spice-filled brew that’s
dangerously easy to drink…
Cheers!

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

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