06/24/2014 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

You know it really is summer in Yuma when Territorial River Regatta weekend rolls around.  Los Caballeros de Yuma are holding the annual community float-down on the Colorado River this Saturday, June 28^th.  The regatta begins at 8AM a few miles upstream at the confluence of the Gila & Colorado, proceeds down through the Yuma Crossing Park and ends at West Wetlands Park  west of downtown.  Anything that floats is welcome, from basic tubes to anything else you can dream up – and no size limitation this year!  As always, prizes will be awarded for floats in a number of categories.  Go to www.territorialriverregatta.com for rules & regs, entry forms and maps.  And if you want to enjoy the regatta without getting wet, come on down to the Crossing Park under the Ocean to Ocean Bridge here in Old Town Saturday morning and you can take it all in.  The heat’s on – but that doesn’t stop true Yumans from having fun in the sun!

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Ramon Bilbao 2012 Valiñas Albariño (Rias Baixas, Spain)    $14.99
This crisply dry and wonderfully tangy white offers delicate aromas of citrus, dried flowers and spice.  Vividly etched white peach, pear, pineapple and citrus flavors mingle on the palate.  A fresh, lively acidity carries this nicely to a crisp and mouthwatering finish.

 

Kenwood 2012 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)    $17.99
Russian River Valley soils combine with the nearby Pacific Ocean’s foggy influence to create ideal conditions for growing great Pinot Noir.  Aromas of raspberry and black cherry mingle with spicy hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.  The palate exhibits bright acidity, with a smooth texture and a lingering finish.

 

Once Upon a Vine 2012 Big Bad Red Blend (California)    $11.99
The Big Bad Red Blend is plenty big, and it’s not bad at all!  It’s a rich, smooth and very fruit-forward California blend, with enough tannins and complexity to keep it interesting.  It’s the perfect red for a simple dinner, and a satisfying quaffer by the glass anytime.

 

Masi 2008 Ripasso Campofiorin (Veneto, Italy)    $17.99
Campofiorin was created by Masi to be an affordable mid-point between the pleasant fruitiness of a basic Valpolicella and the complex, raisined richness of Amarone.  The fruit-filled nose is perfumed with just a hint of cinnamon.  It’s soft, rich and spicy on the palate, with savory flavors of ripe red plums and berries and a pleasant hint of licorice.

 

Luis Cañas 2004 Rioja Reserva (Rioja, Spain)    $22.99
2004 was considered a classic vintage for Rioja.  This Reserva is a deep ruby red with a garnet edge.  The nose is redolent of ripe red fruit plus hints of spice and oak.  On the palate, cherry and brambly berry fruit is enlivened with complex spice and toast accents.

 

Freemark Abbey 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)    $34.99
Full and rich, this is textbook Napa Cabernet.  The ripe black cherry and currant flavors are deftly interwoven with cedar, olive and anise accents that give it an intriguing complexity.  It offers plenty of pleasure now, but will truly reveal itself with a few more years in the cellar.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Penley Estate 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra, Australia )    $19.99

Penley’s Phoenix Cabernet reflects the distinctive qualities imparted by the famous red terra rossa soils of Coonawarra.  This rich and complex wine exudes ripe berry aromas on the nose, accented with hints of spice and toasty oak.  Vivid flavors of dark fruit, peppery spice and chocolate mingle on the lengthy, savory finish.

 

Bottega Vinaia 2013 Pinot Grigio (Trentino, Italy)    $14.99

This begins with bright aromas of orchard fruits like apple and pear, along with floral tones and a hint of bitter orange peel. The palate shows an intensity and persistence rarely found in Pinot Grigio.  It’s fresh, dry and flavorful, with a crisp, refreshing finish.

 

Samuel Smith Pure Brewed Lager (Yorkshire, England)    $4.99

Brewed using only organic malted barley, organic hops, water and a bottom-fermenting yeast; this lager is matured at low temperatures to create its delicate flavors and soft hop-character finish.  The longer maturation period allows the yeasts to go into a secondary fermentation, enhancing the beer’s flavors, purity and character.

 

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