5/26/2015 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

The Yuma Jazz Company Quintet is going to jazz up our summer here in Historic Downtown with the the 3rd Lutes’ Summer Jazz Series.  The summer series of concerts will feature the regular Quintet in performance with special guest musicians and vocalists.  There will be seven shows presented every other Friday evening from 7 to 9 PM, the first this Friday, May 29^th and the final performance Friday, August 21^st.  There’s no cover charge for the performances, presented by Lutes’ Casino (right down the street at 221 S. Main) and Yuma’s Public Radio Station KAWC.  Be sure to catch a performance or three; you don’t have to be a jazz fan to enjoy how really well they play.  Great live music in a fun setting here in Historic Downtown with lots of good food and drink at hand – what’s not to like?

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Balletto 2012 Gewürztraminer (Russian River Valley)    $19.99
This is a deliciously fresh, ‘off-dry’ Gewürztraminer, medium-bodied with fine acidity. Scents of lychee fruit, ripe peach and rose petals are followed up with delicate flavors of orange peel, peach, pear and melon, accented by the characteristic spice notes of the varietal.

 

Cambria 2013 Clone 4 Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)    $22.99
This wine is vinted from Pommard Clone 4 grapes that are grown at Cambria’s estate vineyards located on the Santa Maria Bench, just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  It’s silky smooth, dry and elegant, with flavors of cherry, cranberry, persimmon, sweet oak and baking spice.

 

Viña Zaco 2012 Tempranillo (Rioja, Spain)    $14.99
Viña Zaco is made entirely from Tempranillo, and disregards traditional Rioja designations like Crianza, Reserva, etc.  The goal was simply to create a Rioja that offers the full expression of the varietal.  Raspberry and blackberry fruit is framed with spice in this modern-styled red.

 

Château La Fleur Plaisance 2010 Montagne-Saint-Emilion (Bordeaux, France)    $17.99
This ‘Right Bank’ blend of 80% Merlot & 20% Cabernet Franc offers a polished texture and finely layered flavors. It opens with beautiful, perfumed scents of berries, red currants and gentle cinnamon-like spice. The palate offers a nice mix of black cherry and berry fruit.

 

Luigi Righetti 2011 Valpolicella Ripasso Campolieti (Veneto, Italy)    $19.99
The Campolieti is a full-bodied, velvety and harmonious red, with an enticing bouquet of dark cherry fruit and cinnamon-tinged spice.  A rich, sumptuous palate of ripe black cherry and plum fruit is accented with hints of dark chocolate and toasted almonds.

 

Conn Creek 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)    $29.99
Fruit from Conn Creek’s Collins-Holystone Vineyard in the St. Helena District forms the core of this Cabernet, along with vineyards in the Stags’ Leap, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak and Spring Mountain districts.  It all combines to create a rich, supple and finely balanced Cabernet.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Bonterra 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Mendocino / Lake County)    $12.99
Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc begins with an alluring bouquet of ripe ruby grapefruit and nectarine, edged with hints of fresh herbs.  The palate follows with bright, juicy flavors of citrus, lemon and pineapple, with the lush fruit nicely balanced by a zesty tingle of acidity.

 

Gran Passione  2013 Rosso (Veneto, Italy)    $12.99
This wine is made with partially dried grapes to concentrate the flavors. It contains some Merlot in addition to the indigenous Corvina and Rondinella grapes to add richness. The result is a succulent red with juicy flavors of blackberry jam, raisins and Asian spice, yet it remains savory and dry through the finish.

 

Vinos Lechuza 2011 Amantes (Valle de Guadelupe, Mexico)    $34.99
Amantes is a unique blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Nebbiolo and 8% Grenache from the Guadelupe Valley of Baja, Mexico. Barrel aging was 2 years, in a mix of French and American oak.  The result is a wine with a rich nose of violets and dark plums, and a structured yet explosive palate of dark fruits.

 

St. Bernardus ABT 12 Abbey Ale (Belgium)    $13.99
Abt 12 represents the absolute top in the hierarchy of the St. Bernardus beers, and is also the beer with the highest alcohol level (10.5%).  It’s almost ebony in color, with a smooth and creamy texture that’s enticing yet assertive. Richly sweet, dark dried fruit flavors and notes of herbal spice have a subtle bitter quality, helping keep it even.

 

Cheers!

 

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

 

http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar

 

http://www.yumawine.com