11/29/2023 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is ready to kick-off the Christmas Holiday. There are numerous events planned in Downtown Yuma throughout the month so be sure to come down and support all the small businesses and restaurants. And of course, stop by to check out our ever-expanding selection or for a tasting. The Old Town Wine Cellar has some great wines this week and with our wonderful weather, now is the time to enjoy a glass on our patio.

FEATURED WINES THIS WEEK

Flying Leap Vineyards 2021 Trio (Sonoita, Arizona) $24.99

Like a classical trio’s harmonious blending of the piano, violin and cello, our annual Trio wine blend expresses the synergy of flavors created from blending Malvasia Bianca- an aromatic, Italian white winegrape with Grenache Blanc & Picpoul. Notes of elderflower & fresh-cut Spring daffodils on the nose, with luscious apricot and citrus tones on the palate. Serve lightly chilled and enjoy with fresh oysters, seared scallops or pair with any cream-based soup.
($10 by the glass)

Hahn 2021 GSM Appellation Series (Arroyo Seco, California) $21.99

Ruby red in color, this wine bursts with aromas of strawberry and blueberry with a touch of lavender and white pepper. On the palate, layers of cherry, blueberry, blackberry and warm spice are complemented by a round mouthfeel and velvety tannins. Pairs well with Stir Fry Sesame Chicken and Mushrooms or Mushroom Flatbread.
($10 by the glass)

Cantina Mesa 2021 Cannonau Primo Scuro (Italy) $16.99

Moderate ruby in color, with generous aromas of wild ripe red fruits and spice. On the palate, the wine has more body than the color would indicate with round acidity, supple tannins and warm finish. Pair with cold cuts, fatty fishes, grilled meats and soft cheeses.
($10 by the glass)

Flying Leap Vineyards Downrange Red (Elgin, Arizona) $16.99

Downrange Red is the first collaboration between Flying Leap and the Hoffman and Girotti families in Argentina. The fruit was grown in the foothills of the Andes mountains, about 150 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean coast. Cellared in concrete tanks, this red blend is packed with blackberry and red currant notes, with a soft, velvet mouthfeel and spice nuanced finish.
($10 by the glass)

Caymus Suisun 2021 The Walking Fool Red Wine (Suisun Valley, California) $35.99

This new red wine blend is produced from Suisun Valley, a remarkable AVA that has become the Wagner family’s second home. Like its close neighbor Napa Valley, Suisun Valley has ideal soils and climate for a variety of grapes. The Walking Fool is named after a long-ago relative who was often seen traveling by foot – thus earning this affectionate moniker. Featuring Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, this wine is smooth and lively, with juicy raspberry, notes of espresso and softly fine tannins.
($15 by the glass)

CORAVIN® BY THE GLASS OPTIONS

DAOU Estate 2020 Soul of the Lion (Paso Robles, California) $172.99/Bottle

The 2020 vintage presents an alluring profusion of black cherry, mulberry and Oregon blackberry aromas with notes of leather, cigar box and dark chocolate. The palate is silky and voluptuous, delivering loads of currant, cassis, black raspberry and ripe cherry. Notes of fig and baking spice are underscored by earthy tones of dates and truffle. Mature, ripe tannins yield a weighty, velvety texture integrated with a limestone minerality and subtle oak. A lengthy finish leaves lingering impressions of blackberry, plum and espresso with a touch of white pepper.
($35 per glass)

Orin Swift 2021 Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, California) (175.99)

An almost-black, opaque garnet core sits in the glass with slow-moving tears falling down the sides. Immediate aromatic notes of ripe cassis, charred ribeye, sandalwood and freshly cut oak pilfer. The first sip is a complex, layered conundrum of blackberry, black plum, fennel, licorice and dark chocolate. More sips peel back the layers to reveal a rich and balanced wine with a deep cassis core. A sweet linger on the finish closes the wine with softly textured chalky tannins.
($35 per glass)

DAOU Reserve 2020 Seventeen Forty (Paso Robles, California) $78.99/Bottle

Inspired by the classics of Saint-Émilion, DAOU Reserve Seventeen Forty is a Cabernet Franc driven wine with a harmonious complement of Merlot. Beguiling aromas of blackberry cobbler, raspberry, crème de cassis and cherry pipe tobacco anticipate hints of toasty oak, black licorice and pencil shaving. Lush and full bodied, this wine has rich flavors of cherry, black plum, dark chocolate and blueberry compote with lovely accents of graphite and cinnamon. Solid structure and fine-grained tannins support a lengthy, focused finish, leaving notes of plum and boysenberry underscored by cocoa and black truffle.
($20 per glass)

Zenato 2017 Amarone Classico (Veneto, Italy) $74.99/Bottle

Dense and concentrated, yet still beautifully balanced and well-integrated, this is classic Amarone. Lush aromas of plums, dates and toasted oak greet the nose. It’s rich and full on the palate with layers of ripe, raisiny fruit and super-silky tannins to give it grip on the lengthy finish. A truly elegant, stylish wine.
($15 per glass)

Silvio Nardi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) $74.99/Bottle

This Brunello opens with lush, penetrating aromas of ripe dark fruit edged with subtle spice tones, then revealing a whiff of dried flowers in the background. An elegant and richly flavorful wine, this has a velvety and polished texture and a long, refined finish.
($15 per glass)

NEW ARRIVALS

Beaulieu Vineyard 2019 Georges de Latour Private Reserve $155.99/Bottle

Wow! The aromas to this are really exceptional, with a tangerine edge to the blackcurrants, graphite, lead pencil, flowers and wet earth. It changes all the time. So expressive and refined. Full-bodied with great intensity and depth of fruit. The ultra-fine tannins display millions of layers. The texture on the palate is superb and lasts for minutes. This is the new 1974 George de Latour, which was a legend. Real Napa Valley red here. Drinkable now, to understand it, but truly great in five to six years and onwards.

Department 66 2017 Others (Maury, France) $23.99

Striking a seemingly perfect balance between plushness and precision, the vibrantly crimson colored 2016 perfumes with cherry cola and fresh flowers while buttressed with brambly garrigue notes and characteristic flinty minerality. Straightforward and compact, the wine opens with bright raspberry and rhubarb and then reveals more nuanced hints of confectioner’s chocolate, schist, and dried herbs. Ever-present, is a satisfying vein of acidity that perfectly supports the wine’s complexity. Grenache, Carignan, Syrah and Mourvedre.

Ogopogo Brewing Harmonia Mango Wheat Ale (San Gabriel, California) $4.99

Harmonia Mango Wheat Ale is smooth, playful, and balanced. The Greek goddess Harmonia is the embodiment of harmony and concord. Cheers to her honor!

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

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