11-01-2011 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

Just a quick update to go along with our mellow Fall weather – my good friend and neighbor in our beautiful Paseo here in Old Town, Carla Reneé Restaurant, is now open again for lunch Tuesday thru Friday, serving from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM.  They’ve always done a great lunch – trust me, I have indulged many a time over the last five-plus years.   But that’s not all – Carla’s renowned Sunday Brunch is back as well!  The Brunch is served from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM, and as great as it was in the past, Chef Kyle tells me that he’s come up with some new options will knock my socks off.  I believe everything he tells me, and you should too.  They even have  musical accompaniment now – a three-piece band called Muffy & the Sharks played
at Carla’s last week, and proved so popular that she’s bringing them back for her brunches as well.  And from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM Sunday, Bloody Mary’s are only $5.00, and Mimosas and Belini Cocktails are just $10.00.  And outside seating is available both on the Main Street side and the back patio on the Paseo.  There’s nothing not to like – see you down here!

THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING$5.00 to try all six, or
$5.00 for a full glass
:

M. Chapoutier 2009 Les Vignes De Bila-Haut Blanc (Cotes du Roussillon, France)    $12.99

Bila-Haut Blanc is a blend of the native Roussillon varietals Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Macabeu.  The nose offers elegant citrus aromas with a
light minerally edge.  On the palate, rich flavors of ripe apple and pear and a touch of mango extend through the fresh and spicy finish.

Thomas Halby 2007 Riesling Spätlese Wehlener Sonnenuhr (Mosel Valley, Germany)    $17.99
A rich and delicious Riesling from a world-famous vineyard in Germany’s Mosel River Valley.  It offers intense aromas of peaches and apricots on the nose, with equally intense and vivid fruit flavors on the lush, juicy palate.  It’s
balanced by finely honed acidity on the fresh finish.

picket fence 2009 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)   $16.99
This wine has an elegant, pure fruit-driven style, with brilliant intensity,
appealing spice tones and rich Bing cherry flavors.  The rich fruit, coupled with a velvety texture on the palate, makes this a superlative expression of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
Palacios Remondo 2010 Rioja La Vendimia Garnacha-Tempranillo (Rioja, Spain)   $14.99
La Vendimia, which signifies “the harvest,” is a great example of the quality potential of Spanish jovenes (reds aged less than 6 months in oak).  A mix of Spain’s original varietals, Garnacha and Tempranillo, this is a lively and bright quaffer, offering flavors of raspberry jam and sweet spice.
Finca El Origen 2010 Malbec Reserva (Uco Valley, Argentina)
$14.99

This is a bold and full-throttle, yet at the same time surprisingly mellow Malbec.  The nose is full of cherries, blackberries and currant.  On the palate, this Reserve level wine is rich with heavy dark fruits.  Forceful tannins round out the wine, and provide a strong full finish that shows a satisfying degree of grip at the end.
Oberon 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)    $17.99

This is classic Napa Valley Cabernet, with a deep garnet hue and a concentrated black fruit character.  Lush, rich black cherry and currant flavors are augmented by 18 months of aging in French oak.  The abundant fruit is supported by firm and chewy, yet quite supple tannins.

 

THURSDAY & FRIDAY “PREMIUM POUR” ($10.00 a glass)

 

Tres Sabores 2008 ¿Por qué no? (Napa Valley)    $24.99

¿Por que no? is the quintessential party, pizza, picnic, bbq and bistro red, thanks to the spirited joy it brings to the palate.  Estate-grown fruit, along
with Calistoga district Zinfandel, Rutherford district Cabernet and Petite Sirah and even some gorgeous Oakville Cabernet grapes make this unconventional blend truly delicious. ¿Por qué no?! Why not try it?
NEW ARRIVALS:

 

Conn Creek 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)   $19.99

Fruit from Conn Creek’s Collins-Holystone Vineyard, in the St. Helena AVA, forms the core of this Cabernet, along with vineyards in Stags’ Leap District, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak and the Spring Mountain AVA’s.  The phenomenal ‘07 vintage in Napa is well reflected in this rich, supple and finely balanced Cabernet.

Waterbrook 2010 Riesling (Walla Walla Valley)    $11.99

This is a textbook Washington Riesling, offering bright notes of apricot and tangerine on the fragrant nose.  The rich palate offers lush tones of vanilla,
apples and Satsuma oranges.  The finish is balanced and clean, with hints of lingering sweetness offset by crisp, clean acidity.
Nicolas Feuillate Brut Champagne “Blue Label” (Reims, France)   $34.99

Feuillate’s “Blue Label” non-vintage Brut is a clean, delicate, and very elegant style of Champagne, with lovely aromas of Golden Delicious apples and fresh pie crust.  In the mouth, zesty berry, apple and citrus flavors are accented with vanilla and a light touch of sweetness.  Try it with sushi or sashimi!
Cheers!
Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona  85364
928-373-0405
http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar