10/18/2021 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

I want to let everyone know about a great new addition to the downtown Yuma scene. My good friend Mario Ghedin has opened an Italian deli restaurant here in Yuma, located in the Colorado River State Historic Park (201 N. 4th Avenue). Mario hails from Treviso, Italy, not far from Venice. He has extensive experience in the restaurant business, having worked in Italian restaurants in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, the Canary Islands and San Diego for over 20 years. Now he’s bringing his passion for traditional, real Italian food to our downtown area at the Historic Park in his new business, Autentico Sapore Italiano, which translates as the “authentic flavor of Italian food.”

I’ve known him for a while now as a sales representative for an Italian wine importer in San Diego – some of the great Italian vinos that people have enjoyed from the Wine Cellar are courtesy of Mario. And after hearing about his latest endeavor, my wife and myself and friends stopped by the deli Sunday and enjoyed some wonderful panini sandwiches and antipasti platters. I could go on and on about what the deli has to offer, but instead I encourage everyone to check out Mario’s website at www.autenticosaporeitaliano.com. Open hours are currently Wednesday thru Sunday 10AM to 4PM, telephone is 928-259-9333. Access to the Deli is through the Historic Park Visitors Center – if you haven’t been to the park, just head north on 4th Avenue past 1st Street and turn into the Historic Park parking lot entrance. I do hope you check out Autentico Sapore Italiano soon, and when you do tell Mario that Mike at the Wine Cellar says Ciao!

FEATURED WINES THIS WEEK

Hanna 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley) $18.99

This is a brilliant translucent in the glass, with a greenish tinge. A tantalizing wisp of effervescense ushers in bright aromas of Kaffir limes, pomelo and fresh fennel. The flavors echo the nose, with an evanescent degree of freshness persisting all through a long, silky finish.

Fattorie Melini 2018 San Lorenzo Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) $14.99

The Melini family has been making wines in Chianti since 1705. Their San Lorenzo Chianti is a vivid ruby-garnet color in the glass, with a fine bouquet of raspberries and cherries plus accents of violets and irises. Flavors of dark cherry, wild forest berries and almonds are full and savory.

Mon Frère California 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon $15.99

Mon Frère Cabernet has a fragrant nose of cherry, currant and raspberry, plus hints of toasted oak and vanilla. In the glass, flavors of wild berry and plum mingle on a lingering finish. Polished tannins, a moderate palate weight and the rich fruit make this wine very easy to drink.

St. Huberts 2018 The Stag Red Blend (Paso Robles) $19.99

The Stag has a powerful boysenberry core on the nose, plus holiday baking spice notes of brown sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and clove. In the mouth, it’s rich, round and soft with fine weight and body, offering flavors of ripe juicy dark berries and raspberry custard alongside spice accents and a hint of graham cracker crust.

Argyle 2018 Reserve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) $39.99

Argyle’s Reserve is classic Oregon Pinot. Intense aromas of ripe plums, dark cherries and raspberries have underlying accents of earthy truffle and spice. Precise and clean, it delivers an alluring palate of ripe black cherry and plum fruit, edged with a subtle hint of tobacco leaf.

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS

Booker Vineyard 2018 Harvey & Harriet Red Blend (Paso Robles) $34.99

Harvey & Harriet is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah, 14% Petite Sirah, 10% Cab Franc, 10% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot, aged in 75% new French oak. A layered nose offers aromas of crème de cassis, violets and baking spices. The palate is silky and rich, with a fine interplay of dark fruit and spices on a firm tannic frame.

Santa Cristina 2019 Pinot Grigio (Delle Venezie, Italy) $12.99

This is a fresh and delicious Pinot Grigio with a brightly floral nose, revealing hints of honeyed melon, orange rind and pear. Ripe citrus and crisp green apple flavors show a nicely creamy undertone, with a dash of dried herbs enlivening the finish.

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2018 Indian Wells Merlot (Columbia Valley) $18.99

Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Indian Wells Merlot shows elegance, concentration and smooth tannins. 2018, one of the warmest growing seasons and earliest harvests ever, added a layer of rich ripe black cherry fruit with an opulent mouth-feel and a fine, silky texture.

Cheers!

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