
8/30/2021 Newsletter
Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
August is wrapping up this week, which obviously means September is at hand. Which in turn means several things: For one, this Friday, September 3rd brings the final installment of the 2021 Lutes’ Summer Jazz Series at Lutes’ Casino. The Yuma Jazz Company’s special guest performer for this final appearance of the year at Lutes’ will be guest trumpeter Bryan Stewart. As always the show will go from 7 to 9 PM, with no cover.
Also, the onset of September means First Friday will be celebrated again here in Historic Downtown. Retail stores and assorted other businesses will remain open until at least 8PM, and of course all our downtown eating & drinking establishments will be going strong (the Wine Cellar will certainly be among them!) So consider venturing downtown this coming Friday, and by all means stop in at the Wine Cellar for a glass or two.
And finally, the Labor Day holiday weekend. Be sure to stop by the Wine Cellar this week to stock up on wines and craft beers to help celebrate the holiday if you’re staying around town (and even if you’re not). And have a great and safe holiday weekend everyone!
FEATURED WINES THIS WEEK
Famiglia Pasqua 2018 Passimento Bianco (Veneto, Italy) $18.99
Produced in the Valpolicella region, this wine is made from Garganega grapes that are partially dried prior to fermentation, losing 20 to 30% of their weight. The result is a unique white with dried apricot and honey tones and a creamy rich mouthfeel, yet balanced by bright acidity.
Castillo de Monséran 2016 Garnacha (Cariñena, Spain) $11.99
Spanish Garnacha (aka Grenache) is peppery, zesty and loaded with fresh raspberry fruit. This version exudes fresh aromas of black cherries and crushed raspberries. In the mouth it’s soft and round, with ripe red raspberry and cherry fruit plus a light touch of toasty oak.
Gundlach-Bundschu 2018 Mountain Cuvée (Sonoma County) $17.99
Mountain Cuvée is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Savory accents of toasted oak plus spicy notes of plums and black cherry mingle on the nose. The flavors of raspberry and black currant are laced by dark chocolate and cedar notes.
Famiglia Pasqua 2017 Passimento Rosso (Veneto, Italy) $18.99
This Valpolicella wine is made with partially dried grapes to concentrate the flavors prior to fermentation. It contains some Merlot in addition to the indigenous Corvina and Croatina grapes to add smoothness. The result is a rich, succulent wine with flavors of cherry jam, plums and spice that are savory and dry.
J. Lohr 2018 Tower Road Petite Sirah Paso Robles $22.99
Vivid, pure blackberry-raspberry-blueberry flavors are terrifically ripe, juicy and deeply concentrated. Full-bodied tannins manage to stay in the background to let a delicious core of dark fruit flavors swirl on the palate. Peppery accents enliven the lasting finish.
NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS
Nickel & Nickel 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, State Ranch Vineyard (Napa Valley) $114.99
This is a well-built Napa Cabernet with rich currant, crushed plum, and blackberry fruit flavors that build steadily, intermingled with accents of violets, sweet tobacco and mocha. The substantial tannic grip through the finish indicates this wine’s ample aging potential.
Hanna 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley) $18.99
This is a brilliant translucent in the glass, with a greenish tinge. A tantalizing wisp of effervescense ushers in bright aromas of Kaffir limes, pomelo and fresh fennel. The flavors echo the nose, enhanced with an evanescent degree of freshness persisting all through a long, silky finish.
Brauerei Michael Plank Heller Weizenbock (Bavaria, Germany) $4.99
The Plank Heller Weizenbock is crafted in the style of a wheat doppelbock. Golden in color with a thick white head, it offers a mix of honey, caramel and citrus aromas. The palate has a hint of sweetness with a creamy malt texture and a touch of hops.
Cheers!
Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona 85364
928-373-0405
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