12/4/2017 Newsletter
Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
This Saturday, December 9th will bring the highlight of Historic Downtown Yuma’s Christmas season, with the 15th Annual Dorothy Young Memorial Electric Light Parade. As in years past, the parade starts off at 6PM in the vicinity of 11th Street & 3rd Avenue, then heads down Orange Avenue to Giss Parkway and on to the Main Street Plaza. There will be lots of decorated and illuminated floats, marching bands and of course Santa on his sleigh, and festivities continue well into the evening with plenty of activities and entertainment on the Plaza. Rest assured it will get pretty crowded downtown by late Saturday afternoon in anticipation of the parade’s arrival, so plan on getting down here well before then if you expect to find a close place to park. You can always hang out at the Wine Cellar!
THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:
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. The finish is bracingly clean, with a tangy mineral character.
Laetitia 2016 Estate Pinot Noir (Arroyo Grande Valley) $22.99 Exuding dark mulberry tones and aromas of cranberry and spiced plums, this Pinot is rich and medium-bodied. Youthful flavors of pomegranate, sandalwood and black cherry are married beautifully with spicy cedar and smoke accents, all framed with silky tannins.Mexico and California to make sacramental wines. It’s a lighter-bodied and highly enjoyable red.
André Brunel 2013 Grenache (Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, France) $11.99 André Brunel of Châteauneuf-du-Pape fame puts maximum effort into all of his wines, from the top Châteauneufs to this humble Vin de Pays Grenache. It’s a surprisingly complex and intense red, with a nice mix of cracked black pepper spice tones and ripe berry and plum fruit.
Hahn Winery 2015 GSM (Central Coast) $14.99 GSM is the standard name in the wine world for a mix of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes vinted in the style of the classic red blends of France’s southern Rhone Valley. This version from California’s Central Coast region offers a fine mix of dark fruits and a spicy, peppery character.
Beronia 2011 Rioja Reserva (Rioja, Spain) $22.99 This Reserva is made from carefully selected premium Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo grapes sourced from older vineyards. It was aged 20 months in oak and 18 more months in the bottle before release. An aromatic nose offers hints of vanilla, clove and cinnamon. The velvety palate delivers abundant berry and plum fruit, with accents of tobacco and spices.
Trivento 2014 Golden Reserve Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) $22.99 Trivento’s Golden Reserve offers rich aromas of black cherry, blackberry, black olives, violets and fennel. The palate is smooth and plush, with vivid layers of cherry, fig and raspberry fruit followed by cocoa, cedar and licorice notes on a muscular finish.
NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:
Conti Costanti 2011 Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) $59.99 This begins with aromas of super-ripe dark fruit, flowers, spices, chocolate, sweet oak and a delicate hint of earth. It’s full-bodied and rich, with blackberry, black cherry and toasty oak character, and complex hints of anise and cedar that create an intense and elegant whole on a velvety tannic frame.
Château d’Aqueria 2016 Tavel Rosé (Tavel, France) $19.99 Chateau d’Aqueria is the largest estate in Tavel, and has produced wine there since the 16th century. A blend of Grenache, Clairette, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Syrah, Bourboulenc and Picpoul, this has an elegant, medium-bodied palate with savory flavors of framboise, black cherries and fresh herbs.
Full Sail Kentucky Cream Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale (Hood River, Oregon) $12.99 This is a honey-colored brew brewed with malted barley, corn and rye, then aged for a year in Kentucky Bourbon barrels. Barrel-aging imparts aromas of ripe dark cherries, vanilla, tobacco leaf, and oak. Flavors of caramel, honey and dried fruits finish with warm sweetness and a subtle spiciness.
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.