09/02/2014 Newsletter
Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
Welcome to September everyone! One great way to celebrate our post-Labor Day status is to take in a cult classic here in Historic Downtown Yuma. You can do exactly that on Friday, September 5th when the Yuma Art Center and NexGen, Yuma’s Young Professionals Organization, present the 4th Annual “Beer and a Movie” with a screening of The Big Lebowski at the Historic Yuma Theatre (254 S. Main). As always, the movie will be preceded by a Happy Hour from 6:00 to 6:45 PM (White Russians of course available). There will be a Big Lebowski costume contest, assorted prizes and an assortment of Lebowski paraphernalia. Admission is free but the event is a benefit for the Yuma Community Food Bank, so a donation of either cash or canned/packaged foods would be greatly appreciated. For more info, call the Art Center at 373-5202, and to learn more about NexGen, go to www.nexgenyuma.com
THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:
The Infamous Goose 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) $14.99
The Infamous Goose is lively and bright, a textbook Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc. It has an intense bouquet of citrus fruits and freshly picked herbs. Crisp and dry on the palate, this wine offers pure, up-front and very tangy gooseberry and citrus fruit flavors supported by racy acidity.
Banfi 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) $19.99
A solid, traditionally styled Riserva, this begins with attractive plum and cedar aromas. On the palate, flavors of ripe dark cherries and plums are edged with complex notes of old leather and tea leaves. Smooth tannins carry to the finish of this pleasantly dry and very food-friendly red.
Celler de Capçanes 2012 Mas Donís Barrica (Montsant, Spain) $14.99
Mas Donis is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, aged nine months in a mix of French and American oak. The Grenache is from 70-year-old vines. Vibrant cherry and dark berry flavors are edged by vanilla and spice, along with subtle elements of herbs and toasty oak.
Firestone Vineyards 2008 Merlot (Santa Ynez Valley) $16.99
On the nose, this wine offers generous notes of cassis, cedar and mocha. In the mouth, flavors of dark plums and currants are laced with complex tones of dark chocolate and espresso. The finish is lengthy and elegant, with a subtle herb character.
Waterford 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley) $22.99
This is textbook Columbia Valley Cabernet, with aromas of dark violets and cassis fruit. The flavors show rich basil and sage tones around a polished core of berry and spice flavors. The texture is rich and full bodied, while the wine’s energy propels the darker fruit characters into a suave, lasting finish.
Fess Parker 2010 The Big Easy (Santa Barbara County) $27.99
This Santa Barbara Syrah/Petite Sirah/Grenache blend offers a lovely nose of blackberry, black currant, vanilla, fresh-ground peppercorns and lavender. It’s rich and full-bodied with silky-smooth tannins and abundant dark fruits, edged by pleasant pepper-spice and cinnamon notes.
NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:
Zin-phomaniac 2012 Zinfandel (Lodi) $16.99
With tempting aromas of dark cherries, blackberries and spice, Zin-phomaniac is a complex, full-bodied Zinfandel with juicy, approachable flavors of ripe red-purple fruit and dark chocolate. A light kiss of vanilla and a touch of sweet spice add depth to the long, satisfying mouthfeel.
Callaway 2012 Hybrid White (North Coast) $11.99
Callaway’s Hybrid is an unusual blend that’s a fine summer quaffer. A mix of 40% Verdelho, 35% Viognier and 25% Gewurztraminer, this offers bright floral aromas, citrus notes and a lightly sweet impression up front, but ends with a clean, crisp and very refreshing finish.
Torbreck 2012 Woodcutter’s Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia) $22.99
A grand statement of the quality of the 2012 vintage in the Barossa, this Shiraz has both depth and power, but with Torbreck’s trademark charm and seductive smoothness. It oozes blackberry fruit, with a spicy edge and subtle tarry notes. The palate is rich and silky, with dark berry, cherry and plum fruit bursting forth.
St. Sebastiaan Grand Réserve Abbey Ale (Belgium ) $10.99
Only a single batch of St. Sebastiaan’s Grand Réserve is brewed each year. It pours a deep, hazy golden-orange color in the glass with a fluffy white head. In the mouth, this Belgian delivers a fascinating mix of fruits and spices, with a rich underlay of yeasty, biscuity malts and hints of toffee 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
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