08/20/2013 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

The summer doldrums are well and truly upon us, especially with our sweltering mid-August weather here in Yuma.  And it’s not going to get a whole lot better anytime soon – but relief from the heat can always be found at the Wine Cellar.  It’s a cool 70º in here all the time (the wines prefer it that way).  So venture down to Old Town soon and take advantage of the opportunity to cool off and enjoy a selection of great wines (or beers) from all over the world.  Like this Thursday or Friday, for instance…

 

THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $10.00 to try them all, or $10.00 for a full glass:

 

Hearst Ranch Winery 2011 Three Sisters Cuvée White (Paso Robles)    $19.99
The nose of this classy Rhone blend is all about mango, violet and peach.  The flavor profile is dominated with juicy pear, citrus and nectarine flavors that transition to a balanced, crisp acidity with lingering accents of orange zest.  80% Grenache Blanc and 20% Viognier.

 

August Kesseler 2008 Pinot Noir N (Rheingau, Germany)    $12.99
August Kesseler is one of Germany’s most highly regarded producers of Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir).  This light and supple red offers a fine array of cherry, raspberry and mineral flavors.  It’s nicely balanced and well-integrated, with hints of spice on the lingering aftertaste.

 

Las Rocas 2009 Garnacha Viñas Viejas (Calatayud, Spain)    $17.99
Conditions are perfect in Spain for the heat-loving Grenache varietal; the result is a wine that offers wonderfully savory flavors of raspberry, pomegranate and peppery spice.  This one was produced from vines that are 80 to 100 years of age.  It’s richly flavored, with mineral notes that reflect the depths the roots have reached in their long journey through the parched Spanish soils.

 

Pasqua 2010 Rosso Passimento (Veneto, Italy)    $15.99
Essentially a turbo-charged Valpolicella, this is made from partially dried grapes to concentrate the flavors prior to fermentation.  It contains some Merlot in addition to the indigenous Corvina and Croatina grapes to add smoothness.  The result is a succulent red with flavors of red cherry jam, raisin and spice, yet savory and dry through the finish.

 

Ferrari-Carano 2010 Siena (Sonoma County)   $19.99
The Siena opens with rich black cherry aromas, plus subtle hints of fennel and licorice.  Ripe, juicy red fruit flavors follow the nose, shaped by a pleasant acidity and soft tannins.  Tart cherry flavors linger on the finish, accented by a touch of dark chocolate.  A proprietary blend of Sangiovese and Malbec.

 

Atalon 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)    $27.99
Atalon’s 2010 Cabernet opens with with sweet aromas of ripe black cherry, blackberry, plum and cedar.  It’s soft and rich on the palate, with abundant ripe black fruit, olive, dried herbs, spice, integrated oak and a note of dark chocolate.

 

NEW ARRIVALS:

 

Quivira 2011 Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)    $21.99
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 the wine is very well-behaved.  A brambly, berry-driven palate offers not only classic Dry Creek red raspberry character but also dark cherry and blackberry fruit accented by a touch of baking spices and a light iss of oak.

 

Prunotto 2009 Monferrato Mompertone (Piedmont, Italy)    $21.99
Mompertone is a Piedmontese blend of 60% Barbera and 40% Syrah.  A spicy, ripe black cherry nose leads to a refined dark cherry/black raspberry palate that’s silky smooth and shows the best attributes of both varietals, with rich dark fruit and dense tannins from the Syrah complemented by the earthy/spicy character of the Barbera.

 

Revelry Riesling (Columbia Valley)    $9.99
This vibrant Washington Riesling opens with fragrant notes of wildflowers along with hints of fresh cut apples and pears.  On the palate, deliciously crisp stone fruit flavors are edged by clean mineral notes on the bracing finish.

 

Grand Canyon Brewing Hop Bomber IPA (Williams, Arizona)    $5.99
Hop Bomber is an American-style IPA with the unique feature of a “Flavor Bomb” in each bottle which is filled with whole hop cones.  The aroma is replete with floral and citrus.  A note of malty sweetness hits the front of the tongue, along with notes of toffee, honey and toast.  Orange peel, pine and floral hop/spice notes grace a satisfying finish.

 

Cheers!

 

Mike Shelhamer
Od Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona  85364
928-373-0405

 

http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar

 

http://www.yumawine.com