5-30-11 News Letter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

We’ve made it past Memorial Day, so the Yuma summer season is officially here – at least as far as I’m concerned. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of fun and entertaining diversions available to keep you going through our notoriously toasty summer months, and your trusty Wine Cellar newsletter will be sure to keep you apprised of such. Like for instance, Yuma Fine Arts’ 2nd Annual Summer Beerfest at the Yuma Art Center (254 S. Main Street) happening this coming Saturday evening, June 4th from 6:00 to 9:00PM. You can sample an array of quality foreign as well as domestic craft brews along with hot brats and beans, cole slaw and dessert… and you’ll be supporting the arts here in Yuma! Tickets may be purchased on-line at yumafinearts.org or at the gift shop inside the Art Center – the cost is $30 for beer tasting and food, or $12 for food only. You can even reserve a table for larger groups. The Cellar closes at 6:00 on Saturday; so I think you’ll be seeing me over there…

THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $5.00 to try all six, or $5.00 for a full glass:

Pescevino Bianco delle Marche (Le Marche, Italy) $11.99
The Pescevino is a crisply dry, aromatic white crafted with one thing in mind: Fish! A blend of Verdicchio, Trebbiano and Chardonnay grapes from the Marches region on the Adriatic Sea, it opens with a fragrant fresh lemon bouquet, plus a hint of pine needles. The palate is dry, yet very savory, with a tangy citrus and green apple character.

Erath 2008 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley) $14.99
An elegantly structured Alsatian-styled white from Oregon, with intriguing mineral notes that frame the soft peach and white pear flavors. Very crisp and refreshing – this is a great aperitif wine, and it also pairs beautifully with seafood dishes, chicken and pasta salads.

Rioja Vega 2008 Joven (Rioja, Spain) $9.99
Joven (literally translated, it means “youthful”) is a tank-aged blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Grenache grapes from young vines. This dark garnet-colored wine offers plenty of spicy black cherry and currant aromas and a similar flavor profile, food-friendly acidity and medium tannins. It’s a great choice as an easy-drinking, “every-day” red.

Castello di Querceto 2006 Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy) $15.99
The Querceto is a full-bodied, well-structured Chianti Classico. This wine begins with lush aromas of crushed blackberries, flowers and lightly toasted oak. In the mouth, it’s smooth and silky, with fine tannins and a clean, dry finish.

Michael Pozzan 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley) $14.99
Nestled up against the Mayacamas Mountains just to the west of Napa Valley, Knights Valley is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon. This one offers bright, juicy black cherry and cassis fruit plus a touch of sweetly toasted oak, set against a complex background of spice and herbs.

Wyndham Estate 2005 Founder’s Reserve Shiraz (South Eastern Australia) $19.99
An outstanding example of Aussie Shiraz, showcasing rich plum and blackberry flavors that are deftly accented by subtle touches of white pepper and Asian spice. The generous and vividly tched flavors stay in harmonious balance all through the smooth, lingering finish.

THURSDAY & FRIDAY “PREMIUM POUR” ($10.00 a glass)

Laetiitia 2009 Reserve Pinot Noir (Arroyo Grande Valley) $37.99
Elegant and refined, this Pinot offers deep, rich flavors of black cherry, dark plum, fig and
wet river stones. The Laetitia Reserve style is smooth and seamless, with complex layers of
luscious dark fruit layered over undertones of truffles, lightly toasted oak and cedary spice.

NEW ARRIVALS:

BV 2009 Coastal Estates Red (California) $10.99
BV’s Coastal Estates wines are sourced from Central Coast vineyards that produce fruit-forward, approachable quaffers. This one is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Barbera and Petite Sirah. It’s a lightly sweet and super-fruity glass full of red, with a touch of vanilla accenting ripe cherry and plum fruit.

Belle Glos 2009 Meiomi Pinot Noir (California) $19.99
Belle Glos produces distinctive Pinot Noirs sourced from some of California’s top wine-growing regions. Meiomi is a compilation of carefully selected fruit from Sonoma, Santa Barbara County and Monterey County. The result is a lusciously fruity, rich and smooth California Pinot Noir for a really nice price.

Joh. Jos. Prum 2007 Riesling Auslese, Bernkasteler Badstube (Mosel Valley, Germany) $39.99
Intoxicatingly aromatic, this is a world-class Riesling that shows beautiful delicacy and superb balance in its layers of apricot, pear and citrus flavors. It’s airy and appealing, with a mouthwatering degree of tanginess that adds elegance and finesse to the lingering finish.

Bodega Norton 2007 Privada (Mendoza, Argentina) $24.99
The Privada is Norton’s signature blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot. This is a wine that really goes for the gusto, with plenty of toast and rich spice mingling with layers of fig, plum and black currant fruit. It finishes up with a healthy dollop of licorice and spice on a long, thickly textured finish.

Cheers!

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

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