09/04/2012 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

This Friday, September 7^th, the Yuma Art Center and NexGen Yuma present the 3^rd Annual “Beer and a Movie” with a reprise of the Coen brothers cult classic The Big Lebowski at the Historic Yuma Theatre (254 S. Main).  As always, the screening will be preceded by a beer-and-White-Russian happy hour (the “Dude’s” two favorite libations) from 6:00 to 6:45 PM.  There will also be a Big Lebowski costume contest and an assortment of Lebowski paraphernalia.  Then kick back and watch one of the funniest Coen brothers films ever the way it should be seen – on the big screen.  Admission is free, but
this event is a benefit for the Yuma Community Food Bank, so a donation of
either cash or canned or packaged foods would be greatly appreciated.  NexGen, Yuma’s Next Generation Leadership Council, has contributed almost $10,000 along with thousands of hours of service to Yuma charities over the past year.  For more info, call the Art Center at 373-5202, and to learn more about NexGen, go to www.nexgenyuma.com
THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $10.00 to try them all, or
$10.00 for a full glass:

Navarro 2009 Estate Riesling (Anderson Valley)    $22.99
Scents of star jasmine and clover honey lead to crisp flavors of citrus and Pippin apple; cool nights in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County
contribute a bracing acidity and moderate alcohol level that keeps this wine clean and refreshing.  A superb Alsatian-styled Riesling from one of California’s most acclaimed producers of the varietal.
Bianchi Family 2006 Refosco (Paso Robles)    $22.99
Bianchi is one of only two wineries in California that produces a wine from the rare red Refosco grape of northern Italy.  Now almost unknown even in its homeland, the varietal creates a medium-bodied and very savory red with aromas of dark plums and cinnamon, and a deliciously fruity mix of cherry and berry fruit with fine acidity.

Terrazas de los Andes 2010 Altos del Plata Malbec (Mendoza,
Argentina)    $9.99
Altos del Plata is a fresh, lively and uncomplicated take on Argentina’s favorite red wine.  It opens with jazzy notes of blackberries and blueberries laced with light accents of smoke and spices.  The palate is bright and
generous, a juicy mouthful of plum and berry fruit.

Ravenswood 2008 Old Vine Zinfandel (Napa Valley)    $17.99
This Napa Zinfandel is robustly ripe and flavorful, with bright aromas of black raspberries and eucalyptus on the nose leading into a silky, fruity-yet-dry palate of tangy wild berry and dark plum fruit flavors.  Spicy hints of
clove, cardamom and cedar mingle on the finish.
Veramonte 2009 Primus The Blend (Colchagua Valley, Chile)    $19.99
The Primus is a superb combination of power and finesse.  Made with the best fruit available from Veramonte’s Colchagua Valley estate, it’s a unique Chilean mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenère, and Merlot.  It’s savory and mouth-filling on the palate, with juicy flavors of black cherry, plum and blackberry.  The ample fruit is framed by notes of smoky, earthy spice.
Zenato 2008 Valpolicella Ripassa (Veneto, Italy)   $29.99
This opens with aromas of juicy black plums and coffee-scented spice.  In the mouth, a ripe core of juicy currant and black plum fruit is accented with elements of spice and toasted oak.  It’s a rich and mouth-filling red, with fine, fruit-drenched tannins and a clean, lingering, mineral and spice finish.

NEW ARRIVALS:
Dry Creek Vineyards 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)    $32.99
This is true old vine Zin (the vines range in age from 90 to 110 years) from arguably the best Zinfandel growing region on earth.  A nearly opaque purple in color, it’s all there on the nose – briary, jammy raspberry and blackberry fruit, along with a dash of coarse-ground black pepper.  Delicious wild berry flavors, dark chocolate and spice – a magnificent rendition of the varietal and the terroir it came from.
Murrieta’s Well 2011 The Whip White (Livermore Valley)    $19.99
The Whip is a tribute to the great white blends of the world; a sophisticated yet approachable blend of classic white varietals.  Fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel tanks and older oak barrels, this offers lush aromas and flavors of pears, vanilla, butterscotch and orange blossom, with a long, balanced and very clean finish.
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2007 Cyrus (Alexander Valley) $59.99
Cyrus is composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.  This wine truly represents the pinnacle of winemaking from the Alexander Valley of Sonoma.  It offers superb depth and richness yet maintains a wonderful balance of fruit, earth and tannins on a memorable
finish.
Dogfish Head My Antonia (Delaware)    $9.99
My Antonia is a continually-hopped imperial pilsner.  It pours a clear golden with plenty of bubbles and a fluffy head, and opens with a pleasant grassy/hoppy character and a nice biscuity malt background.  A touch of herbal spiciness adds interest on the refreshing finish.

Coronado Brewery Red Devil Imperial Red Ale (Coronado Island)   $5.99
Red Devil pours a rich dark red in the glass, and has alluring aromas of sweet malts and floral/citrusy hops.  On the palate, it’s robust and rich, with a great roasted-malt character of burnt toffee and caramel that’s uplifted at the finish with a wallop of tangy hoppiness.
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