12/17/2013 Newsletter
Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
I want to let everyone know that this week we’ll have a special “pre-Christmas” wine tasting, featuring some great new as well as “old favorite” wines from my good friends at Southern Wine & Spirits of Arizona. We’ll start off with three new arrivals, two sourced from the renowned Dutton Ranch in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, and another from the up-and-coming North Coast appellation of Northern California. We’ll finish with three of my personal long-time favorite reds, wines that I just keep going back to over the years here at the Cellar because they’re so consistently outstanding. I’m really excited about this tasting line-up, and I hope you’ll be able to make it down to join us for a little pre-holiday cheer. Merry Christmas everyone!
THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $10.00 to try all six, or $10.00 for a glass:
The Calling 2012 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) $27.99
A classic Chardonnay, the 2012 vintage was blended from select Dutton Ranch vineyards. Barrel fermentation and ‘sur lie’ aging results in a rich, smooth wine with subtle notes of oak and crisp flavors of Meyer lemon, honeydew melon and white peach. It’s creamy and rich enough, yet still bright and refreshing with a long, clean finish.
The Calling 2012 Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) $34.99
This Pinot Noir offers classic varietal flavors of fresh cherries, earthy hints of mushroom and delicate spice notes, supported by fine acidity, a silky texture and firm tannins. It’s a superb example of a “cool-climate” Pinot Noir from select Dutton Ranch vineyards in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley appellation.
Dreaming Tree 2011 Crush Red (North Coast) $15.99
Crush Red is a blend of 2/3 Zinfandel and 1/3 Merlot. The wine greets the nose with lush aromas of ripe raspberries, spice and vanilla. The taste is all about fresh, juicy berry and cherry fruit, carried on a velvety mouth-feel. The finish is smooth and satisfying, lingering nicely.
Villa Antinori 2010 Toscana Rosso (Tuscany, Italy) $18.99
Villa Antinori is a Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, crafted by the renowned Piero Antinori. The wine’s bouquet offers scents of sweet fruit, spice and a hint of oak. Black cherry and cassis fruit dominates on the palate, accented by a touch of chocolate.
Conn Creek 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) $26.99
Fruit from Conn Creek’s Collins-Holystone Vineyard in the St. Helena District forms the core of this wine, along with vineyards in Stags’ Leap, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak and Spring Mountain AVA’s. The quality of the 2010 vintage in Napa is well reflected in this rich, supple and finely balanced Cabernet.
Fess Parker The Big Easy 2009 Syrah (Santa Barbara County) $29.99
This Santa Barbara County Syrah offers a lovely nose of blackberry, black currant, vanilla, a dash of pepper and a hint of lavender. It’s rich and full-bodied with silky-smooth tannins and abundant dark fruits, edged by pleasant pepper and cinnamon notes.
NEW ARRIVALS:
Miraflores 2012 Black Muscat Rosé (Sierra Foothills) $14.99
This beautifully colored sweet-style rosé offers a bright strawberry nose along with notes of raspberry and red cherry. The palate delivers signature, abundant Muscat flavors, with absolute cornucopia of ripe and juicy dark stone fruits. It makes a great apéritif, or try it with a spicy Asian stir-fry!
Chateau St. Jean 2010 Merlot (Sonoma County) $22.99
Aromas of sweet black cherry, black plum and toasted almonds burst from the glass of this Sonoma Merlot. These bright fruit characters carry over onto the palate and mingle with notes of blackberry, chocolate and cedar. A rich and silky mid-palate, with polished tannins leads in to a lush, lingering finish.
Dow’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro Valley, Portugal) $29.99
Aged Tawny Ports are a blend of older wines that offer fine complexity, and younger wines that contribute fresh fruit flavor and vibrancy. Dow’s is known for its characteristically drier house style. This offers a rich, nutty bouquet. Baked apricot, ripe fig and vanilla mingle on the palate, with a delicate, spice-filled finish.
Cheers!
Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona 85364
928-373-0405
http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Every Monday, we send an email newsletter with our weekly wine tastings list and new wine & beer arrivals - right in your inbox.