05/25/2020 Newsletter
Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
I want to announce to everyone that the Old Town Wine Cellar will begin serving wine again by the glass effective Tuesday, May 26th. I do want to emphasize, however, the Wine Cellar will NOT be featuring a wine tasting flight going forward, as we have long done in the past. The reason for this is due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the need to exercise extreme caution in our social interactions with others. By its nature, wine tasting in the Cellar involves people continually coming back up to the counter to get their next pour of wine, and in the process encountering other patrons at fairly close quarters. We will from now on feature six different “wines of the week” just as we have done in the past, and offer those wines by the glass for $10 (or a half-glass for $5), also just as in the past. And of course, patrons are always welcome to purchase a bottle from the large selection of wines in the shop and consume some of it on premise for no extra fee. To enhance everyone’s safety, we have rearranged the Cellar to provide a much greater degree of open space, and have nearly doubled the seating capacity, with the intent to provide maximum spacing between patrons while they are in the shop. I hope you will be able to come to the Wine Cellar soon and enjoy a glass of wine or two while taking in our new look!
THIS WEEK’S FEATURED WINES:
Wilkes 2018 Viognier (Paso Robles) $19.99 This begins with aromatics of lime blossom, peach, Earl Grey tea and a touch of granite minerality. It’s nicely dry, with a silky texture and mild acidity. The palate offers a medley of ripe orchard fruit flavors, with the classic floral essence that Viogniers are renowned for.
Acacia 2017 Chardonnay (Carneros) $21.99 Citrus-laced flavors of baked apple, d’Anjou pear and white nectarine are punctuated by Meyer lemon zest, toasty oak, ginger spice and crème-brulée. This Chardonnay’s silky texture and bright, balanced acidity make it a perfect partner with rich seafood cuisine.
Imagery 2018 California Pinot Noir $17.99 The 2017 Imagery Pinot offers an inviting nose of black cherry and strawberry along with leather, vanilla and a bit of forest floor. The bouquet evolves nicely in the glass as it begins to breathe. The palate reveals a smooth, soft and flavorful medium-bodied Pinot with a wonderfully round mouthfeel.
Bodegas Iranzo 2018 Spartico (Utiel-Requena, Spain) $12.99 Spartico is an equal mix of hand-harvested Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon from certified organic vineyards. The wine truly captures the pure expression of the grapes, without the use of any additives, including sulfites, and is completely un-oaked. It’s fruit-filled and juicy, with a smooth, soft mouthfeel but still plenty of tannic grip.
Quivira 2015 Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) $18.99 The deep, rich color in the glass may leave the impression that this is going to be a big and weighty Zin, but you’ll quickly discover this wine is quite well-behaved. A brambly, berry-driven palate offers the classic Dry Creek red raspberry character accented by a hint of baking spices and a light touch of toast.
Martin Ray 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) $22.99 This mountain-grown Napa Cabernet has gorgeous fruit purity, with ripe, fleshy black plum, currant and berry flavors that are framed and supported by firm yet nicely polished tannins. The result is a concentrated, finely focused wine that’s intense and rich, yet beautifully balanced.
NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:
Two Hands 2016 Hopes & Dreams (Barossa Valley, Australia) $27.99 A “Winemaker’s Blend” of Grenache, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre and Carignan, the Hopes & Dreams is a fragrant glassful of supple, full-bodied red. The wine offers hints at cinnamon and pepper on the nose, picking up rich flavors of raspberry and blackberry in the mouth, and finishing with a dash of spice.
Paul Mas 2018 Picpoul de Pinet (Languedoc, France) $14.99 This wine, made from the Picpoul varietal native to southern France, exhibits a yellow color with shimmering flashes. An intense, complex nose offers scents of ripe fruit, citrus peel, honey and white flowers. It has a rich yet lively feel on the palate, with a wonderful freshness that holds on through a crisp finish.
Stemmari 2015 Cantodoro Rosso Riserva (Sicily, Italy) $15.99 This blend of 80% Nero d’Avola, a native Sicilian varietal, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon exudes a bright nose redolent of red currants, blackberry, licorice and baking spices. The firm, savory palate delivers a mouthful of juicy black cherry and wild berry flavors carried on velvety tannins.
Lincoln Beer Company Trejo’s Cerveza Mexican Craft Lager (Los Angeles) $5.99 Danny Trejo’s Cerveza is just as bad-ass as its namesake! This brew perfectly represents both El Jefe and the L.A. culture with its fresh, clean and distinctive taste. This straw-colored beer is refreshing, bold and satisfying, a fine rendition of the style that makes the classic Mexican lagers so delicious.
Cheers!
Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona 85364
928-373-0405
http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar