04/08/2019 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

Fort Yuma Rotary Club is putting on their 6^th Annual Penitentiary Pint Fest at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park right here in Historic Downtown on Saturday, April 13^th.  The Penitentiary Pint Fest goes from 5:30 to 9:30 PM, with a great selection of craft brews from 24 different breweries, plus food and live music by the Big Boss Band.  Tickets are $45 if purchased ahead of time from Fort Yuma Rotary or get them right next door at the Pint House; $55 at the event on Saturday.  Craft brews, live music and Yuma’s balmy spring weather in a beautiful outdoor setting – check it out!

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING

 

Adorada 2017 California Pinot Gris     $17.99 Adorada is a juicy and aromatic California Pinot Gris, exuding orange blossom, ruby grapefruit and apricot aromas and flavors, with just a hint of toasted coconut.  Tangy acidity and a deft note of minerality keeps it clean and refreshing.

 

Miraflores 2015 Misión 1853 (Sierra Foothills)    $24.99 This was made with Mission grapes sourced from Amador County’s Misión Vineyard. Planted in 1853, it’s the oldest continuously producing vineyard in all of the U.S.  Mission was the original wine grape planted in North America, used at the old Spanish Missions of Mexico and California to make sacramental wines.  It’s a lighter-bodied and highly enjoyable red.

 

Robert Mondavi 2017 Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon (Monterey County)    $14.99 This Monterey Cabernet blends California craftsmanship with Southern Bourbon whiskey aging tradition.  Fruit sourced from coastal vineyards imparts deep, rich flavors of black cherries and blackberries.  Aging for three months in select Bourbon barrels adds intriguing nuances of vanilla and brown sugar.

 

Federalist 2016 Honest Red (North Coast)    $15.99 The Federalist Honest Red is a blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, Malbec and Cabernet grapes sourced from premier growing sites in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.  The wine offers a soft and round mouthfeel with a medley of rich dark fruit flavors, ending with a lightly spicy finish.

 

Dominio del Águila 2013 Pícaro Tinto (Ribera del Duero, Spain)    $22.99 This blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Albillo was whole-cluster pressed, and aged for 20 months in French oak.  It’s full-bodied yet delicate and lightly floral, melding a rich dark fruit character with pleasant accents of smoke and vanilla.

 

Gehricke 2016 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)    $27.99 This is a blend of Old Vine Zinfandel plus a dollop of Petite Sirah from the orange, iron-rich soils of the Ponzo Vineyard.  The Zin offers the classic fruity, jammy, briary character of the varietal while the Petite Sirah adds complementary black fruit flavors and density, plus a delicious touch of pepper.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS

 

Hess Collection 2016 Lion Tamer Red (Napa Valley)    $39.99 Like a Lion Tamer who wields a deft hand to soothe those powerful beasts, Hess winemaker Dave Guffy uses Malbec to smooth the powerful tannins in this red blend.  It brings all the roar of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, but when it’s softened with Malbec, the result is a bold yet lush wine with smooth, silky tannins.

 

Grgich Hills 2015 Estate Chardonnay (Napa Valley)    $34.99 This estate Chardonnay from one of the premier producers in the Napa Valley is fresh and lively. A rich palate delivers a delicious medley of ripe pear and green apple fruit flavors amidst a fine backdrop of sweet toasty oak and vibrant acidity, which imparts a nice sense of youthful verve.

 

Château La Freynelle 2016 Merlot-Cabernet (Bordeaux, France)    $14.99 This is a very nice example of “basic” Bordeaux from a pretty good vintage.  The nose offers notes of blackberry and black currant plus savory accents of toasted oak.  The palate is balanced and refined, showing silky tannins amid pleasant hints of espresso and spice.

 

Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro Valley, Portugal) This opens with lovely aromas of toffee, fruitcake and a touch of honey.  On the palate it’s full-bodied and just medium-sweet, with vibrant flavors of dried fruits and complex notes of caramel and roasted nuts.  It’s elegant and satisfying – a classic Aged Tawny.

 

Cheers!

 

Mike Shelhamer

Old Town Wine Cellar

265 S. Main Street, Suite E

Yuma, Arizona  85364

928-373-0405

 

http://www.yumawine.com