4/12/2021 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

Hardly a day goes by that someone doesn’t walk in and ask “when do you do wine tastings in the Cellar?” or I get a call from someone asking if they will need to make a reservation to come in and sample our wines of the week. The answers are simple: “always” and “never.” We’re happy to offer wine tasting, and of course wines by the glass, any time the Cellar is open, 11AM to 7PM Tuesday through Friday and 10AM to 6PM on Saturday. And no reservations are ever necessary. As any regular attendee can tell you, we’re pretty casual here in the Wine Cellar. Just show up and ask to try the wines, and before you know it you’ll have a glass in your hand. It’s that easy! So please help me spread the word; there still seems to be a lot of confusion out there about wine tasting in the Wine Cellar when nothing could be simpler. So what’s keeping you? Hope to see you soon!

FEATURED WINES THIS WEEK

McBride Sisters 2019 Chardonnay (Central Coast) $17.99

This opens with aromas of green apple, honeydew melon and orange blossom. The palate shows a perfect synchrony of flavors, with a refreshing character of lemon curd and quince. The elegant finish emotes crème brûlée, with the perfect toasting derived from light oak barrel aging.

Au Contraire 2017 Reserve Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) $24.99

Au Contraire is a blend of fruit sourced from premier Russian River Valley growing sites. The nose offers aromas of cherry, raspberry and plum with a touch of violets amid subtle spice hints. A silky mouthfeel and balanced acidity frame an abundance of ripe dark fruit.

Finca Las Moras 2018 Barrel Select Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) $12.99

Finca Las Moras Barrel Select is a fresh and uncomplicated take on Argentina’s favorite red. It opens with jazzy notes of blackberries and plums, laced with light accents of smoke and spice. The palate is full-bodied and rich, delivering a juicy mouthful of dark fruit flavors.

McBride Sisters 2018 Red Blend (Central Coast) $19.99

This proprietary blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, Malbec and Petite Sirah was aged in a mix of French, American and Hungarian oak barrels. Aromas of cherries and plums dominate the nose, with a backdrop of cedar and vanilla. In the mouth it’s an elegant and balanced red, with rich dark fruit flavors and soft, easy tannins.

Martin Ray 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) $22.99

This mountain-grown Napa Cabernet has gorgeous fruit purity, with ripe, fleshy black plum, currant and berry flavors that are framed and supported by firm yet nicely polished tannins. The result is a concentrated, finely focused wine that’s intense and rich, yet beautifully balanced.

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS

Nannetti 2013 Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) $59.99

This Brunello opens with lush, penetrating aromas of ripe dark fruit edged with subtle spice tones, then revealing a whiff of dried flowers in the background. An elegant and richly flavorful wine, this has a velvety and polished texture and a long, refined finish.

Paula Kornell California Brut Sparkling Wine $21.99

This is a superbly focused, rich and refined California sparkler with juicy apple and raspberry flavors that are creamy yet still deliciously crisp and clean. Cassis and citrus-zest flavors linger on a refreshing finish, framed with accents of brioche and jasmine.

Twenty Acres 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Clarksburg) $12.99

Twenty Acres Cabernet abounds with flavors of cherries and plums, with hints of chocolate. An addition of Petite Sirah adds flavors of blueberry, boysenberry and hints of black pepper. Finishing the wine’s aging in new French oak barrels imparts hints of toasted oak and a smooth, silky mouthfeel.

Cheers!

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