07/11/2016 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

We here at the Wine Cellar will be the first to admit that as we advance further into July, days here in Yuma tend to get REALLY hot.  But a good way to actually enjoy our local summer and not completely wilt from the heat is to consider doing more fun things after dark!  This coming weekend brings a great example.  Saturday evening, July 16^th, the City of Yuma Parks & Rec  offers a “Stargazing” Kayaking Trip on the Colorado River.  The kayak trip goes from 7 to 10PM, open to anyone over 18 years of age for a fee of $20.  According to Parks & Rec, “Bring your binoculars on this trip and you will be amazed at the stars and galaxies that can be seen so clearly while kayaking the Colorado. Paddlers should wear appropriate clothing, bring insect repellent and plenty of water.”  Participants should gather at Gateway Park downtown (259 N. Gila Street).  For more info call 373-5243;  a link to register for the trip is available at  www.yumaaz.gov/event/parks-and-recreation-events/stargazing-kayaking-trip

 

And keep in mind, one of the best ways to enjoy the Yuma summer in a very cool setting is simply by coming down to the Wine Cellar and sampling the current week’s selections!

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Livio Felluga 2014 Pinot Grigio (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy)    $22.99
This is a full-bodied style of Pinot Grigio from the far northern reaches of Italy that opens with clean, bright aromas of apples, pears and citrus fruits. It’s fresh and lively on the palate, yet surprisingly supple, with crisp apple and peach fruit flavors edged with a complex minerality.

 

Etude 2014 Lyric Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County)    $17.99
Etude Winery has produced acclaimed Pinot Noirs in the Carneros region of Napa Valley for over 30 years, and have now applied their proven skill with the varietal to the Santa Barbara County appellation. Their Lyric bottling is a fine rendition, offering a core of ripe black cherry fruit enhanced by hints of red raspberry and tart cranberry.

 

d’Arenberg 2011 Stump Jump Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia)     $12.99
This opens with ripe mulberry and blackberry fruits swirling into heady aromas of anise and peppery spices.  The palate offers ripe plums and raspberries, with the soft, rich texture that’s typical of McLaren Vale Shiraz.  The finish is long and pleasing, with a hint of dark chocolate.

 

The Federalist 2014 Honest Red (Mendocino, Napa & Sonoma County)    $14.99
The Federalist Honest Red is a mix of 55% Merlot, 30% Zinfandel and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, sourced from premium growing regions in Northern California.  The wine offers a soft and round mouthfeel with a medley of rich dark fruit flavors and a lightly spicy finish.

 

Qupé 2012 Syrah (Central Coast)    $19.99
This is a vibrant Syrah, overflowing with ripe black fruit on the nose, followed up by notes of spice and oak.  Dense fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries and stewed plums are tinged with accents of mocha, expresso and cinnamon that come to a lush, lasting finish.

 

Baracchi 2010 Ardito (Tuscany, Italy)    $39.99
This Tuscan blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon is superbly balanced, with an abundance of rich, ripe fruit flavors in a classic Old World style. Complex hints of old leather, anise and smoky spice meld with a wealth of berry and dark cherry fruit.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Cambria 2013 Benchbreak Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)    $21.99
This Santa Maria Valley Pinot opens with earthy dark cherry aromas.  It’s polished and balanced on the palate, yet distinctly fruit-forward, with flavors of black cherries, red raspberries, black tea and anise along with an overlay of seasoned oak, gained from 8 months aging in French oak.

 

Cambria 2014 Clone 4 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)    $21.99
This estate-grown Chardonnay was whole-cluster pressed and 100% barrel-fermented using native yeasts.  A clear golden yellow in the glass, the wine exudes scents of citrus, bananas and tropical fruit and delivers bright flavors of lemon curd, apple and white peach.  The mouthfeel is creamy and polished, with a suave, dry, lasting finish that begs another sip.

 

Deschutes Brewery Pinot Suave Ale (Bend, Oregon)    $17.99
This unusual Belgian-style ale was aged in oak barrels that previously were used to age Oregon Pinot Noir. The result is a unique flavor profile with fruit elements of cherries and figs amid a savory dark malt character, along with notes of cloves, nutmeg and caramel.

 

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.yumwine.com