07/30/2018 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

ROADWORK UPDATE:  The city had indeed now closed off Maiden Lane between the Wine Cellar and the public parking lots (east side), and is currently digging big holes in the street.  Hey, it’s infrastructure.  As promised, they have provided for a pedestrian crossing through the barricades, which I had fervently hoped might be right across the street from the Cellar.  But no… The crossing is a half block to the north, just across from the 251 Restaurant.  So please be aware that if you park near the Cellar, you’ll have to either hoof it a half block north to the temporary crossing or else walk down to 3^rd Street and use the pedestrian crossing there to get across Maiden Lane.  But it’s just for one more month – the city promises they’ll be all done by the end of August.  So please bear with the construction and don’t let it cause you to avoid Historic Downtown – we hope to see you at the Cellar soon!

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Weingut Dr. Fischer 2014 Ockfen Riesling (Mosel Valley, Germany)    $19.99 The Ockfen Vineyard beside the Saar River in Germany’s Mosel Valley is famed for the quality of its Riesling. This wine’s fresh aromas offer hints of Bosc pear, apple and floral notes.  The palate shows juicy ripe orchard fruits and citrus beautifully framed by crisp, tangy acidity.

 

Morgan 2015 12 Clones Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)    $28.99 The Double L Vineyard provided the majority of the fruit; the rest comes from Gary’s, Rosella’s and Paraiso Vineyards. Aromas of black cherry, dark plum, mineral and exotic spice emerge on the nose, with matching flavors on the palate.  Pure, deliciously ripe dark fruit is the core essence of this wine – a classic SLH Pinot.

 

Casa Castillo 2012 Monastrell (Jumilla, Spain)    $11.99 Monastrell, known as Mourvèdre in southern France, is a key component of France’s Rhone Valley reds like the renowned Chateauneuf-du-Papes.  But the varietal originated in Spain, and it’s the most widely grown grape in some regions.  This version from Jumilla is a fine example.

 

St. Hallet 2014 Faith Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia)    $15.99 St. Hallet’s Faith bottling offers vibrant black cherry, raspberry and dark chocolate flavors, balanced with smooth, supple tannins and a hint of vanillin oak.  The overall palate effect is of rich, ripe dark fruit and a fine generosity of flavor – classic Barossa Shiraz.

 

Carol Shelton 2013 Wild Thing Zinfandel (Mendocino County)    $19.99 The “Wild Thing” is actually very well-balanced, velvet textured and multi-layered.  Bright, brambly raspberry and blackberry flavors fill the mouth, with smooth tannins and fresh acidity that keep this savory Mendocino Zin super-lively and delicious through the finish.

 

Provenance 2015 Merlot (Napa Valley)    $24.99 Tom Rinaldi was winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards for over 20 years before launching his Provenance Winery.  His Merlot offer lush red currant, blackberry and black cherry aromas and flavors accented by notes of pepper and black olives.  A round, smooth tannic frame cloaks the lush and lingering finish.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Tuck Beckstoffer 2014 Melee Grenache (California)    $34.99 This wine offers a kaleidoscope of aromas emerging from the glass. Hints of summer fruits, white pepper, lavender, underbrush and mineral lead to an incredibly focused, yet elegant, balanced and graceful palate. The finish is a blockbuster that shows both  power and finesse.  A wine for the ages.…

 

Hearst Ranch 2017 Julia Rosé (Paso Robles)    $16.99 The Julia Rose is particularly stunning in the glass. The salmon color heralds bright raspberry, rose petal and peach flavors, with bright acidity that delivers a nicely balanced mouthfeel.  A steely mineral edge extends the clean, zesty finish.

 

Gundlach Bundschu 2016 Mountain Cuvée (Sonoma County)    $16.99 The Mountain Cuvée is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Savory hints of toasted oak and spicy notes of plum and black cherry mingle on the nose.  On the palate, flavors of ripe red raspberry and currant are beautifully complemented by chocolate and cedar notes.

 

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