3/15/2021 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

It was exactly one year ago this week that the Old Town Wine Cellar Newsletter announced that the Cellar would no longer offer any wine tastings or wines by the glass due to the sudden arrival of a full-blown pandemic. The cessation of wine tasting and pouring on our part was voluntary, but I assumed that a state government mandated shutdown of restaurants and bars would be happening very soon in any case, and of course it did indeed no more than a week later. It’s hard to believe that a full year has now passed, and there’s certainly no doubt that the pandemic has had a huge impact on so many people’s lives and livelihoods during that time. But happily the Wine Cellar is still here and going strong, thanks in no small part to the continuing support of our loyal customers here in the Yuma community. So I want to take this opportunity to give a heartfelt shout-out and expression of gratitude to all of those customers and friends of the shop who really kept the Cellar going. I’m happy that things definitely seem to be looking up of late, with lots more folks coming to Historic Downtown Yuma these days to enjoy all that it has to offer. So I hope that you’ll be joining them soon, and of course stopping by the Wine Cellar when you do!

FEATURED WINES THIS WEEK

Tiefenbrunner 2019 Pinot Grigio (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy) $15.99

Tiefenbrunner is known for producing some of Italy’s finest white wines in this cool and mountainous region close to Austria. This Pinot Grigio offers a superb purity and depth of flavor coupled with a distinct, intriguing mineral character, all in a perfect balance.

Rock Point 2017 Pinot Noir (Rogue River Valley) $14.99

The Rock Point Pinot Noir has a complex bouquet of dark raspberries, sweet earth, leather and notes of fresh cinnamon. The palate is true to Oregon, with lot of fresh dark berry and cherry fruit balanced by a touch of spice, with soft tannins and balanced acidity.

Carlos Serres 2011 Rioja Reserva (Rioja, Spain) $15.99

This classical, sleek and polished Reserva is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. It underwent the Reserva regimen of two years aging in French and American oak plus three more in the bottle. It’s classic Rioja – ripe berry fruit with forest floor nuances, sweet spice notes and accents of balsamic and tobacco.

Argiano 2017 Non Confunditur (Tuscany, Italy) $19.99

‘N C’ is a Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot. It melds the softness of Merlot with the earthiness of Sangiovese and the rich cassis flavors of Cabernet. The result is a complex yet satisfying red with bright aromas of currant and plum, and generous fruit flavors.

Terlato Family Vineyards 2015 Angel’s Peak Red (Napa Valley) $34.99

Anthony Terlato’s Angels’ Peak is a powerful, enchanting wine. Aromas of ripe black fruits –blackberries, currants and figs – intermix with savory accent of spicy oak, wood smoke, cedar and truffle that delve deep into the palate and develop into a silky, elegant finish. It’s built like a true Pomerol, with all the massive intensity and structure, yet in a perfectly defined balance.

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS

Secoli 2017 Amarone (Veneto, Italy) $34.99

The Secoli 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella offers a deep, lavishly dimensioned bouquet that teems with hints of leather, violets, dried cranberries, cloves and black tea. It’s dense and concentrated in the mouth yet not heavy, with a gracefully agile, ripe black fruit quality that’s well supported by solid, dusty tannins.

Ava Grace California Merlot $8.99

Ava Grace Merlot is bursting with aromas of ripe red fruit that fill the nose. It’s silky on the palate and full of rich black cherry, plum and blueberry flavors delicately intermingled with hints of mocha, toasty oak and savory spice.

Ava Grace California Red Blend $8.99

The Ava Grace Red Blend exhibits notes of blackberries and raspberries with hints of spice. The palate is clean, with flavors of cranberry, roses and a hint of rhubarb. The fine, lingering finish is enlivened with accents of vanilla and candied cherries.

Banfi Brachetto d’Acqui Rosa Regale (Piedmont, Italy) $19.99

Brachetto d’Acqui is an effervescent sweet red traditional to Italy’s Piedmont region, a perfect match with berry or dark chocolate based desserts. A vibrant ruby in the glass, it shows a persistent mousse. An alluring perfume of freshly crushed red raspberries is echoed on a wonderfully sweet palate.

Epic Brewing Midnight Munchies Peanut Butter Stout (Denver) $5.99

Not to be feared by arachibutyrophobics (the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth), this Peanut Butter Stout distances itself from its jar-enclosed counterpart. A thick and rich, peanut-buttery quality is stabilized by 2-Row, Crystal and Marris Otter malts, making for an exquisite equilibrium. The viscous mouthfeel is followed by a smooth and sweet aftertaste.

Cheers!

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