10-18-2011 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
Quick note for this week – Saturday, October 22^nd from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, Planned Pethood of Yuma presents the 9th Annual Cause for Paws dinner, auction and raffle at the Pivot Point Conference Center.  Planned Pethood is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that works to raise funds to assist with spay/neuter services for companion cats and dogs that are adopted from the Humane Society of Yuma.  This year’s theme is “Mad Hatter” and costumes are optional, but why not dress up?  Tickets are $40 per person – contact Rene at 920-1769 to purchase tickets or to make a direct donation.  Need more info?  Call Planned Pethood at 344-1518.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $5.00 to try all six, or
$5.00 for a full glass:

Luna Vineyards 2009 Pinot Grigio (Napa Valley)    $12.99
This wine offers a wonderfully expressive nose of pear, peach and apricot.  On the palate, a forward surge of lemon zest and a touch of pine nut leads to broad tones of citrus, fig, pear and pineapple.  Honeysuckle and orange
marmalade notes frame the lush finish.
Ch. Ste. Michelle 2010 Cold Creek Riesling (Columbia Valley)   $16.99
Sleek, fresh and fruity with all the classic lime, fresh peach, green apple and mildly minerally qualities of a superbly wrought  Riesling, this is a buoyant and supremely well-balanced wine that’s edged with the slightest hint of sweetness.  It takes on a surprisingly steely quality on a lengthy, tangy and very palate-cleansing finish.
Castle Rock 2009 Pinot Noir (Mendocino County)    $12.99
This Mendocino Pinot offers enticing aromas of fresh berry pie, ripe
dark cherries and hints of allspice. It’s smooth and silky on the palate and
surprisingly full-bodied, with finely balanced tannins that frame a delicious
core of berries and dark stone fruits.
Goose Ridge 2008 G³ Red (Columbia Valley)    $14.99
The G³ is a Washington blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.  A
deep garnet in color, it offers an aromatic nose of cherries and cedar.  Red and black fruit notes develop in the mouth, with flavors of ripe cherries, plums and raspberries accented by hints of vanilla and sweet tobacco.
Cline 2008 Ancient Vines Zinfandel (California)     $15.99
Made with fruit sourced from gnarly old vines, primarily in the Lodi and Oakley appellations, that are in some cases over 100 years old.  This offers
fresh, vivid fruit flavors of raspberries and blackberries, enlivened by subtle
hints of espresso and dark chocolate.
Bianchi 2004 Petite Sirah (Paso Robles) $17.99
This Petite is smooth, rich and polished, with layers of blackberry, blueberry
and plum fruit.  Lush and super-saturated, it literally coats the palate, with mocha and spice touches adding to its abundantly ripe black fruit flavors.  It’s a big and bold, yet silky-smooth mouthful of red.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY “PREMIUM POUR” ($10.00 a glass)
Two Hands 2008 Gnarly Dudes Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia)     $29.99
Gnarly Dudes is named for the gnarly old vines that stand proudly in the vineyard like soldiers ready to be led into battle.  They produce a small but
beautiful crop of fruit to make this wine.  Deep purple in color, it offers aromas of vibrant raspberry and plum with hints of clove and spice.  In the mouth, velvety-smooth tannins surround a rich core of spicy blackberry fruit.
NEW ARRIVALS:
Andrieux & Fils 2009 Côtes du Rhône Villages Cuvée Jules (Rhone Valley, France)    $15.99
From the celebrated ‘09 vintage, this is a three-way blend of Grenache, which
gives the wine fullness and elegance, Syrah, which adds complex flavor elements, and Mourvedre to provide balance and delicacy. The result is lots of
ripe black cherry and raspberry fruit with delicious licorice accents.  Full-bodied, spicy and rich, with a long and complex finish.

Ridge Vineyards 2009 Geyserville Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)     $34.99
Every vintage of the Geyserville is special, distinct, extraordinary.  But all of them have elements in common, such as the blackest of blackberry fruit, abundant pepper spice, chocolate and cedar.  The term ‘layered’ is the best
descriptor for this wine.  Over the years it will develop, re-inventing itself in the bottle with cellar aging, developing more nuances and complexity.
Capafons-Ossó 2004 Vessants (Montsant, Spain)    $17.99
The Montsant region adjoins the much more well-known region of Priorat in northeast Spain, with essentially the same climate, soils and terrain.  The
Vessants is a unique blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan and Syrah grapes.  The result is a fruit-filled yet surprising
complex red, with velvety tannins and a slightly smoky finish.
Coco Rosso Dark
Chocolate Red Wine (Washington)    $12.99
Start with good red wine, then infuse it with natural dark chocolate to create a decadent wine experience.  Coco Rosso is delicately blended with lush flavors of black cherries, plums and raspberries, enhanced with rich, savory dark chocolate tones.  The seductive marriage of dark chocolate and fruit makes this a unique apéritif, and a fine match with rich desserts.
Cheers!

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

http://www.yumawine.com/

http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar