2/13/2023 Newsletter
Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
This Friday evening, February 17th, Fort Yuma Rotary’s Mardi Gras on Main Block Party returns! The event happens on the Main Street Plaza here in Historic Downtown Yuma. It’s always a great party – this year’s version will go from 5:00PM to 11:00PM with live music and lots of other activities, plus food and beverage options available. Dig your beads and masks out of the closet and have some fun for a good cause – all proceeds from the event benefit the community.
FEATURED WINES THIS WEEK
San Felice 2020 Vermentino (Tuscany, Italy) $14.99
A traditional grape in the Maremma region on the Tuscan coast, Vermentino ripens to perfection on the hills of the Perolla estate. This offers aromas of ripe peaches, apricots, honeysuckle and citrus blossoms on the nose. The palate is fresh and tangy, with a citrus-tinged finish edged by a touch of ginger.
Chateau d’Esclans 2021 Whispering Angel Rosé (Côtes de Provence, France) $22.99
Pale salmon pink in color, this classic Provence dry rosé offers tantalizing raspberry and savory herbal aromas edged by a racy quality that cuts a swathe though the silky texture. Crisply refreshing, it finishes with an intriguing hint of saline minerality.
Bodegas Iranzo 2021 Spartico (Utiel-Requena, Spain) $12.99
Spartico is primarily Tempranillo along with some Cabernet Sauvignon, all from certified organic vineyards. It truly captures the pure expression of the grapes, without the use of any additives including sulfites, and is completely un-oaked. It’s fruit-filled and juicy, with a soft mouthfeel but still plenty of tannic grip.
Olianas 2020 Cannonau di Sardegna (Sardinia, Italy) $19.99
This supple, multi-layered Cannonau (the local name for Grenache) is made entirely in amphorae from organically grown grapes. The wine overflows with red and black fruits, subtle spice tones and herbal notes. In the mouth it’s round and rich with silky tannins and a long, complex finish.
Delas 2020 Crozes-Hermitage Les Launes (Rhone Valley, France) $29.99
Les Launes exudes vibrant aromas of spice-tinged raspberries and wildflowers that pick up a hint of olive as the wine opens up. It’s juicy and nervy in style, with a gently sweet blackberry and cassis character and a light degree of spiciness, plus a hint of violets on the finish.
NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS
Guado al Tasso 2021 Il Bruciato (Tuscany, Italy) $29.99
Il Bruciato is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah sourced from the coastal Maremma region of Tuscany. On the palate, red cherry and currant flavors are accented with accents of cedar and fennel. Smooth tannins complete this elegant ‘Super-Tuscan’ red.
Rodney Strong Vineyards 2019 Upshot White (Sonoma County) $17.99
Upshot is the result of a passion for creating flavorful, deeply nuanced blended wines. This bright white bursts with aromas of peaches, apricots, and jasmine blossom with flavors of melon, peach and a complex, ‘wet stone’ minerality leading to a crisp and refreshing finish.
Cavicchioli Lambrusco Dolce (Emiglia Romagna, Italy) $10.99
The froth is evanescent, with a violet color and fine perlage. The color is a vivid ruby red, the nose is perfumed with flowery notes, and the palate is pleasantly sweet and harmonious. Lambrusco, a frizzante (lightly sparkling) red wine is best served chilled, as an apéritif or paired with spicy fare.
OEC Brewing Coolship Czech-style Blond Lager (Oxford, CT) $4.99
For the Coolship, OEC utilized a double decoction mashing process to fully develop a deep bready character. Imported Czech Noble Hops add floral flourishes and a hint of bitterness at the finish. Then they rested the brew briefly in their coolship, providing fine depth as well as an earthy complexity.
Cheers!
Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona 85364
928-373-0405