9-06-2011 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

Things are picking up here in Old Town, as we make the official transition to Fall:

This Friday, September 9^th, the Yuma Art Center and NexGen present “Beer and a Movie” with a 7:00 PM showing of the cult classic The Big Lebowski at the Historic Yuma Theatre (254 S. Main).  The screening will be preceded by a beer and White Russian happy hour (the Dude’s two favorite libations) from 6:00 to 6:45 PM.  There will also be a Big Lebowski costume contest, with lots of prizesand an assortment of Lebowski paraphernalia.  Then kick back and watch one of the funniest Coen brothers films ever on the big screen (if you’ve never seen this move, the Dude says you gotta go).  Admission is
actually free, but there’s a suggested donation of $5.00 (proceeds benefit the Historic Yuma Theatre and NexGen’s community programs).  NexGen,
Yuma’s Next Generation Leadership Council, has contributed almost $10,000 along with thousands of hours of service to Yuma charities over the past year.  For more info, call the Art Center at 373-5202, and to learn more about NexGen, go to www.nexgenyuma.com

And be sure to stop by the Wine Cellar Friday for the wine tasting before you slip into Dude mode and start on the White Russians!

 

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

William Hill 2009 Chardonnay (Central Coast)    $11.99
This Chardonnay offers a heaping plate of juicy tropical fruits, on both the nose and on the palate.  Flavors of ripe Golden Delicious apples and Bartlett pears are framed with toasty oak through the lush finish.  It’s a rich wine that shows a fine balance of acidity and ripe fruit.

 

Valley of the Moon 2009 Pinot Blanc (Sonoma County)    $13.99
Fresh aromas of kiwi fruit, lemon zest and pear, accented by a background note of green apple, give this Sonoma Pinot Blanc an uncommon allure. Tropical fruit and tangerine highlight the vibrant flavors.  The lithe palate is matched by superb balance through a crisp, lingering finish.

 

Gloria Ferrer 2007 Estate Pinot Noir (Carneros)   $17.99
Aromas of black cherry and tangy spice grace the nose of this elegant, medium-bodied Pinot.  It’s smooth as silk on the palate, loaded with black and red cherry fruit and a hint of raspberry jam.  A light earthy element adds a nice complexity.

 

Di Majo Norante 2009 Sangiovese (Molise, Italy)    $11.99
A blackberry and floral-filled nose tinged with spice tones leads to juicy black cherry flavors backed by firm tannins.  It’s medium-bodied, with a clean finish.  This is a balanced red that pairs well with just about anything you put on the table.

 

William Hill 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Coast)   $12.99
This Cabernet opens with a spicy blackberry bouquet, edged with hints of spearmint and oak toast.  It’s a smooth, balanced and complex wine on the palate, with a rich array of blackberry and cassis fruit framed with smooth and easy tannins.

 

Miraflores 2009 Barbera (El Dorado County)    $19.99
Black cherry, dark chocolate, toasted oak, vanilla, cedar and an exotic hint of
alpine forest mix on the palate of this rich, spicy and full-flavored red.  It also offers a good degree of fresh tangy acidity, as is typical of this food-friendly varietal from the Piedmont region of northern Italy.

 

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

 

Montes 2007 Alpha Syrah, Apalta Vineyard (Colchagua Valley, Chile)    $24.99

Aurelio Montes is one of Chile’s leading advocate of the Syrah varietal, and this vintage of his flagship “Alpha” bottling is true to form.  Aromas of black cherries, blackberries and fresh-shaved vanilla beans lead into a ripe and supple palate of cassis and dark plum, shaded with a dash of spicy oak.  A firm tannic structure provides plenty of grip on the lingering finish.

NEW ARRIVALS:

Donati Family Vineyards 2007 Claret (San Benito County)    $17.99

The Donati Claret, a ‘Bordeaux-style’ blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, exhibits an aromatic black raspberry bouquet.  On the palate, the wine is nicely balanced and smooth as silk.  The flavor profile shows a rich black cherry and and blackberry character, with just a hint of black pepper at the finish.

 

Cadaretta 2009 SBS (Columbia Valley)    $19.99

Cadaretta’s SBS Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend is a wine designed to be enjoyed in its youth: it’s crisp, fruity and bracing.  The nose is intense, with pear and lime scents and a backdrop of honeysuckle.  A rush of
juicy acidity greets the mouth with a mix of tangy lime zest and clean, ripe
stone fruits like peach and apricot.

 

Castello D’Albola 2007 Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy)    $15.99

This Classico begins with fresh black cherry aromas mixed in with hints of leather, earth, plums and violets.  The palate is medium in body, with supple tannins and brisk acidity.  Classic Chianti flavors of ripe black cherries and plums are accented by a hint of licorice.

 

Boekenhoutskloof 2008 The Wolftrap (Franschoek Valley,
South Africa)    $11.99

Comprised of 68% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre and 2% Viognier, this Rhone-inspired South African red is richly aromatic on the nose.  The palate is
equally rich and full-bodied, loaded with blackberry and blueberry fruit flavors accented with black pepper notes and a hint of cedar.

 

Cheers!

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

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