12/26/2018 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

A new tradition begins!  Next Monday, December 31, 2018, an Iceberg will be dropped in Yuma’s Historic Downtown as part of an inaugural Yuma New Year’s Eve celebration.  The Iceberg will actually be a giant, fabricated head of iceberg lettuce (8’x 8’), brightly illuminated from the inside.  A large countdown clock will add to the excitement .  Organized by Visit Yuma in cooperation with the City of Yuma, the “Yuma’s Iceberg Drop Celebration” will start at 8 PM on New Year’s Eve and feature the dropping of the giant lighted lettuce head at both 10 PM to coincide with New York City’s Ball Drop, and then again at Midnight local time to officially ring in the year 2019 right here in Yuma.

 

Food and drinks will be offered by participating downtown merchants 251 The Twisted Kitchen, Da Boys, Jimmy Dees, Lutes Casino, The Pint House and Prison Hill Brewing Co.  Part of the proceeds will go to benefit the Yuma Community Food Bank and Humane Society of Yuma.

Music will also be a big part of the celebration, featuring the Gwynn Sisters and Jason & Elle live on stage and tunes throughout the evening provided by BMC Productions & Entertainment.

 

And with that:  Happy New Year to everyone from the Old Town Wine Cellar!  THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Amavi 2016 Sémillon (Walla Walla Valley)    $19.99 Barrel-fermented in neutral French oak, this wine is deliciously aromatic, with aromas of pear, citrus and beeswax followed by lush melon and peach/pear flavors edged with a tangy citrus element.  The palate is smooth and elegant, with a honeyed richness balanced by crisp acidity.

 

Smith & Perry 2015 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)    $14.99 Smith & Perry is the second label of Van Duzer, one of Oregon’s leading wineries.  Made from hand-harvested and carefully selected fruit, this is a balanced, fresh and vibrant Pinot Noir.  Flavors of ripe black cherries are accented with touches of oak and spice.

 

Finca Las Moras 2016 Barrel Select Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)    $12.99 The Finca Las Moras Barrel Select is a fresh and uncomplicated take on Argentina’s favorite red.  It opens with jazzy notes of blackberries and plums, laced with light accents of smoke and spice.  The palate is full-bodied and rich, delivering a juicy mouthful of dark fruit flavors.

 

Federalist 2016 Honest Red (North Coast)    $15.99 The Honest Red is a blend of Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes sourced from premier growing sites in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.  The wine offers a soft and round mouthfeel with a medley of rich dark fruit flavors, ending with a lightly spicy finish.

 

Allegrini 2014 Palazzo Della Torre (Veneto, Italy)    $19.99 This savory northern Italian red is crafted in an innovative fashion, with some of the grapes dried prior to being crushed.  The result, similar in style to Amarone, is a wine with a full, rich and complex character.  A bouquet of floral notes, vanilla and black fruits is followed by ripe black cherry and plum fruit flavors, edged by subtle spice accents.

 

J Lohr 2015 Tower Road Petite Sirah (Paso Robles)    $22.99 Vivid, pure blackberry-raspberry-blueberry flavors are terrifically ripe, juicy and deeply concentrated. Full-bodied tannins manage to stay in the background to let a delicious core of dark fruit flavors swirl on the palate.  Peppery accents enliven a lasting finish.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Gainey Vineyard 2016 Estate Merlot (Santa Ynez Valley)    $18.99 Vinted with estate-grown fruit from Gainey’s Home Ranch Vineyard, this is a classic style of Merlot loaded with black cherry and plum fruit enhanced by subtle notes of cinnamon and clove. The abundant fruit is wrapped in a fine cloak of smooth, velvety-rich tannins.

 

Carmenet Sparkling Chardonnay (California)    $12.99 Carmenet Brut is a sparkling wine with surprising finesse and elegance.  Bottle fermentation in the classic Champagne method gives it complexity and fullness.  Rich flavors of apple and pear are lifted by a slight nuance of pastry that lingers on the palate through a refreshing finish.

 

Croft 430^th Anniversary Ruby Port (Douro Valley, Portugal)    $29.99 The 430^th Anniversary Port commemorates Croft’s establishment in 1588, and the rich history of the oldest Port shipper on earth.  This shows luscious aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cassis and plum.  A superb Reserve Port, with all of the elegance and refinement that Croft is renowned for.

 

Ommegang King in the North Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout (Cooperstown, New York)    $12.99 King in the North pours jet black, with a thick tan head. Aromas of roasted malt, coffee and chocolate meld with scents of bourbon and vanilla. The flavors are rich and full, with chocolate, vanilla, coffee and roasted malts edged by a nice combination of bourbon and oak tones.

 

Cheers!

 

Mike Shelhamer

Old Town Wine Cellar

265 S. Main Street, Suite E

Yuma, Arizona  85364

928-373-0405

 

http://www.yumawine.com