12/27/2016 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

2017 is almost here, and as always at this endpoint of the year I would like to express my great appreciation to all of my customers and friends here in the Yuma area that have long supported the Old Town Wine Cellar (next week will constitute Year 15!).  I was very sorry to hear that my friends just down the street at the Main Squeeze Winery are closing their doors at year-end, but I also want to clear up any confusion that may have resulted recently from their decision. Since the word got out, more than a few people have told me they heard that I was closing!  Nothing is further from the truth – the Wine Cellar will be here in Historic Downtown for many years to come, bringing the best wines and craft beers that we can find to a community that I’m very happy to have become a part of.  So if you hear anything to the contrary, please set the record straight – I would greatly appreciate it!

 

And one last note for this last week of 2016: as we did last week, the Wine Cellar will be open our normal hours, through 6PM Saturday December 31^st, so stop by if you need to stock upon some good bubbly or other libations to help celebrate the turn of the calendar.  Best wishes to all for a happy and prosperous 2017!

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Torres 2014 Verdeo (Rueda, Spain)    $11.99
This 100% Verdejo is pale gold in the glass, with glints of green.  Intense and fragrant, it offers clean floral notes of lemon blossom against an enticingly ripe fruit backdrop of quince and pear, finishing with the fresh herbaceous expression of fennel that’s typical of this Spanish varietal.

 

Cà Maiol 2015 Garda Chiaretto Rosé (Veneto, Italy)    $19.99
The Chiaretto rosé is made primarily from the native Gropello grape, grown only near Lake Garda in northern Italy. It’s a deliciously fresh and clean wine with bright flavors of cherries, strawberries and rose hips, plus an intriguing touch of saline minerality that adds complexity.

 

Tilia 2013 Bonarda (Mendoza, Argentina)    $11.99
Bonarda is known as Charbono in California. It’s a varietal that originated in France, but is now virtually extinct there.  Aromas of ripe dark fruits and hints of violet and anise give way to a juicy mouthful of black cherry and plum edged with a dash of black pepper.

 

Graziano 2009 Petite Sirah (Mendocino County)    $17.99
This Mendocino Petite offers an aroma profile of cracked peppercorns, bay leaf and clove, with light toffee notes in the background.  The palate is a rich mouthful of ripe black fruits framed by firm tannins and a nice dash of toasty oak at the finish.

 

Michael David Vineyards 2013 Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon (Lodi)    $24.99
Earthquake Cabernet shows outstanding concentration and flavors that are deep and rich in a bold, full-bodied and mouthfilling wine. The palate is saturated with blackcurrant, sweet blackberry and dark cherry fruit flavors.  Fine-grained tannins add polish to a lengthy finish.

 

Chiantari 2010 Nero d’Avola (Sicily, Italy)    $26.99
This native Sicilian red offers bright aromas of black currant and boysenberry infused with subtle nuances of mint. In the mouth it’s a richly fruited wine with fresh upfront ripe dark fruit flavors, then earthy and savory notes kick in. Firm but velvet-coated tannins support this flavorful red.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Michael-David Vineyards 2013 Lust Zinfandel (Lodi)    $39.99
Lust represents the absolute pinnacle of Lodi Zin – a wine with a satisfyingly earthy and yet superbly refined character, with an almost endless depth of briary dark fruit flavors edged by a swirl of brandied cherries, caramel and toasty oak.  A superb combination of both power and finesse; this is a memorable Zin.

 

Bruno Giacosa 2014 Roero Arneis (Piedmont, Italy)    $22.99
Arneis is an ancient grape varietal that originated in northern Italy’s Piedmont. It make a refreshingly crisp and lightly floral white with bright flavors of pears, apricot and citrus.  It finishes bracingly clean, with a tangy mineral character.

 

Primarius 2014 Oregon Pinot Noir     $15.99
Dark fruit aromas dominate the nose on this Pinot, primarily black cherry, with touches of spice and oak.  The body is light and elegant, with red cherry, blueberry and pomegranate flavors that finish with a spiced-cherry edge.

 

Cameron Hughes 2011 Lot 384 Meritage (Dry Creek Valley)    $17.99
Lot 384 is composed primarily of Dry Creek Merlot, with smaller adds of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley to finish the blend. The wine, purchased from a well-regarded Sonoma producer, was aged in barrel for 14 months.  It’s a smooth and flavorful red.

 

Cheers!

 

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

 

http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar

 

http://www.yumawine.com