09/06/2016 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

Now that we’re past Labor Day, things are starting to cool off here in Yuma just as the downtown scene is heating up!  For example, the funniest show of the year returns to Yuma this week when The Latin Comedy Jam takes place Saturday, September 10^th in the Yuma Art Center’s Historic Yuma Theater (254 S. Main Street).  Hosted by Mike Acquisto-Gotti, The Latin Comedy Jam delivers a hilarious blend of situational and topical comedy from some of the nation’s top Latino comedians.  The show gets started at 8:00PM; doors open at 7:00.  Tickets range from $19 to $29 – call the Art Center Box Office at 373-5202 for ticket info.    

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Emmolo 2014 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)    $17.99
This is a fresh and fragrant Sauvignon Blanc, with bright, tangy ruby grapefruit, sweet lime, gooseberry and orange blossom on the nose.  There’s plenty of depth and dimension to the flavors as well, with citrus, passionfruit and guava notes that lead to a crisp, clean finish.

 

Cambria 2013 Benchbreak Vineyard 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.

 

André Brunel 2013 Grenache (Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, France)    $11.99
André Brunel of Châteauneuf-du-Pape fame puts maximum effort into all of his wines, from the top Châteauneufs to this humble Vin de Pays Grenache.  It’s a surprisingly complex and intense red with a mix of cracked black pepper spice and ripe berry and plum fruit.

 

Rancho Sisquoc 2014 River Red (Santa Barbara County)    $17.99
River Red is a blend of 8 different grapes, all estate-grown at Rancho Sisquoc. It offers powerful clove and spice notes at first taste, plus a dark chocolate accent.  Sweet red cherry fruit and edgy tannins are balanced by a light espresso bite, with a nice touch of oak toast at the finish.

 

Cambria 2012 Tepusquet Vineyard Syrah (Santa Maria Valley)    $19.99
Tepusquet Vineyard’s sandy, loamy soils restrict vine vigor and increase grape concentration, enhancing varietal character and creating more robust flavors. This Syrah offers deep dark fruit and cinnamon spice notes on the nose.  Rich mocha, blackberry and plum fruit flavors mingle with spice and earth tones on the palate.

 

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Canoe Ridge Merlot (Columbia Valley)    $24.99
Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Canoe Ridge Vineyard offers an elegant expression of Washington Merlot, with a rich dark cherry fruit character.  Light overtones of green and black olives emerge on the palate, with notes of spicy char from aging in French and American oak.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Penfolds 2013 Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz (South Australia)    $32.99
This multi-region Shiraz was one of the first “Bin Number” wines produced by Penfolds, way back in 1959.  The 2013 vintage was sourced from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway and Langhorne Creek. It offers thick and velvety flavors of blackberry and plum that are ripe and rich, showing notes of black tea, mineral and herbs on a juicy finish.

 

Château du Caillau 2013 Malbec (Cahors, France)    $17.99
Cahors in southwest France has been known since the Middle Ages for its ultra-dark, high-tannin Malbec –  the “Black Wine of Cahors.”  Philippe Bernede’s family has produced Malbec at Château du  Caillau for six generations, but his wines are crafted in a more modern style that mixes rich blackberry and cassis fruit with a solid tannic structure and subtle smoky nuances.

 

Fess Parker 2015 Riesling (Santa Barbara County)    $12.99
This is a refreshing, off-dry style of Riesling with luscious, ultra-ripe peach, apricot and melon aromas and flavors.  Balancing the richness of all that fruit is a streak of keen acidity that frames a bright, zesty finish.

 

Ayinger Altbairish Dunkel (Bavaria, Germany)    $4.99
This Dunkelweizen (dark wheat beer) pours a cloudy light brown.  The nose offers a nice mix of wheat, banana, bread and spices. The flavors mirror the aromas beautifully, with a solid malty backbone plus a touch of citrusy fruit.  The texture is smooth and creamy, with a slight degree of tongue-tingling carbonation.  A perfect choice for Oktoberfest!

 

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