12/5/2016 Newsletter
Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
Historic Downtown Yuma’s Christmas season officially gets underway this Saturday, December 10th with the 14th Annual Dorothy Young Memorial Electric Light Parade. As in years past, the parade starts off at 6PM on 3rd Avenue around 10th Street, then goes 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. The party continues on the Main Street Plaza long after the parade finale, with plenty of activities and entertainment. Based on past years, rest assured it will get pretty crowded downtown by late Saturday afternoon, so do plan on getting down here before then if you expect to find a close place to park. Let the season begin!
THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:
Livio Felluga 2014 Pinot Grigio (Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Italy) $22.99
This is a full-bodied style of Pinot Grigio from the far northern reaches of Italy that opens with clean, bright aromas of apples, pears and citrus fruits. It’s fresh and lively on the palate, yet surprisingly supple, with crisp apple and peach fruit flavors edged with a complex minerality.
Kenwood 2013 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) $15.99
Russian River Valley soils combine with the nearby Pacific Ocean’s foggy influence to create ideal conditions for growing really good Pinot Noir. Aromas of raspberry and black cherry mingle with spicy hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. The palate exhibits bright acidity, with a smooth texture and a lingering finish.
Goose Ridge 2011 G3 Red Blend (Columbia Valley) $14.99
Goose Ridge Estate is a family-owned and operated winery dedicated to producing handcrafted, limited-production wines made from only estate-grown fruit. The G3 Red Blend is a classic Bordeaux-style compilation of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Bodegas Muriel 2008 Rioja Reserva (Rioja, Spain) $17.99
This opens with the classic cherry, vanilla and tobacco leaf tones that Rioja reds are famed for. In the mouth, spicy dark cherry and berry fruit flavors mingle with a touch of vanilla and anise, plus a pleasant note of toast from 2 years of oak barrel aging.
Chiantari 2010 Nero d’Avola (Sicily, Italy) $24.99
This Sicilian red made from the native Nero d’Avola grape offers aromas of black currant and boysenberry, infused with subtle nuances of mint. In the mouth, upfront ripe dark fruit flavors abound, then earthy, savory notes kick in. Firm tannins support this richly fruited, flavorful wine.
Mollydooker 2015 The Boxer Shiraz (South Australia) $29.99
The Boxer is a rich and complex Shiraz, with a mix of sweet ripe fruit and powerful tannins. It delivers an effusive mouthful of raspberry, plum and peppery-spice flavors that are vivid and lingering. But the density on the palate doesn’t get in the way of all the fruit and spice, and the finish just keeps going…
NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:
Hartford Family 2013 Old Vine Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) $34.99
This was sourced from old-vine, dry-farmed and low-yielding Zinfandel vineyards having an average age of more than a century. It’s a wine with fine depth of flavor and intensity. Aromas of fresh raspberry and boysenberry are balanced by cracked pepper and spice. Brambly blackberry, nutmeg and chocolate flavors lead into an elegant and silky finish.
il Molino de Grace 2010 il Volano (Tuscany, Italy) $12.99
This Tuscan blend of 75% Sangiovese and 25% Merlot shows a perfect mix of ripe fruit and rustic Italian character. Red cherry and red raspberry fruit is enlivened by elements of licorice and spice on the balanced tannic frame, supported with food-friendly acidity.
Shannon Ridge 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Lake County) $22.99
Shannon Ridge 2012 Home Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is a vivid crimson in color. The nose offers aromas of blackberry, raspberry, mocha and toasty vanilla. The flavors are a mix of ripe black cherry and blackberry, with a subtle accent of cedar. The texture is full bodied and rich.
Lagunitas Night Time Black IPA (Petaluma, California) $5.99
The Lagunitas Night Time combines the hoppy character of a West Coast IPA with the rich and “roasty” flavors of a classic dark ale. This is truly a marriage made in heaven of two wildly differing beer styles, and it adds up to a complex and very satisfying brew.
Cheers!
Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona 85364
928-373-0405
http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar
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