Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, May 10, 2008
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,
327-7701

This Saturday we will explore the first tier of wines from Renwood Winery of Plymouth, CA in Amador County.  It is located in the picturesque foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe.  Renwood produces handcrafted award-winning wines from Amador County and the Sierra Foothills, sourcing grapes for this tier from as far as Lodi to the north-west.  Representing the winery will be Ramon Chavez to lead us through the tasting experience.

2006 Renwood Winery Pinot Grigio
11.69
Two longtime Lodi area growers provided the fruit used in this wine: Rodney Schatz and Kurt Kautz.  Also blended-in were some Sierra Foothill grapes and a Spanish variety called Vermentino for added crispness.  Aromas of citrus blossom predominate.  The entry is bright with good acidity and balance.  The wine finishes with a combination of fruit and floral flavors which help to round out the lightweight texture on the palate. This is a perfect wine with pasta and fish entrees.

2006 Renwood Winery Viognier
11.69
While primarily from the Lodi Appellation and the Mohr-Fry Ranch, a small amount of Sierra Foothill grapes were included in the final blend.  A small percentage of Semillon, as well as a bit of Pinot Grigio and Muscat, help round out the wine and add character.  After fermentation all lots were blended and then the wine remained in stainless steel until bottling.  The aromas suggest grapefruit, mineral scents and jasmine.  On the palate the wine is crisp, with a medium texture and flavors of melon, lemon zest, and apricots.  A steely finish makes this wine very food friendly and the lingering tartness helps balance the wine.

2004 Renwood Winery Syrah Rosé
9.99
The bouquet consists of cherry, watermelon and strawberry.  On the palate, the wine is bright with flavors of fresh raspberry and cherry and supports a complex and balanced mouthfeel.  The finish displays soft and round tannins, which linger on the palate.  This is a deep flavored wine, but with a lively acid for balance.

2005 Renwood Winery Barbera
11.69
All of the fruit was sourced from Amador and El Dorado Counties and after fermentation was aged in both stainless steel tanks and in a blend of older American and French oak barrels for 10 months.  This allowed the pure fruit to shine through and have a hint of smokiness from the lots aged in oak, complimenting the fruit flavors.  The wine displays aromas of rhubarb, cherry, and strawberry.  On the palate the wine is lighter, with a smooth core of fruit flavors.  Crisp acidity is Barbera’s signature trait which makes this wine so mouthwatering.  The finish is lingering, with raspberry flavors and a hint of cinnamon, balancing the wine.

2005 Renwood Winery Zinfandel, Sierra Foothills
11.69
After fermentation, some wines remained in tank and some were racked directly into barrels for aging.  The barrel lots were aged in combination French and American oak barrels for 10 months, then blended together. The wine displays aromas of cherry, plums and nutmeg.  The flavors mirror the aromas and give the wine a fresh fruit flavor with a spicy aftertaste. This lighter style of Sierra Foothills Zinfandel is smooth and luscious.

2004 Renwood Winery Syrah
11.69
The grapes were sourced from five different Syrah vineyards.  Each lot was fermented separately in stainless steel tanks providing maximum extraction of fruit and color.  The lots were then aged for 17 months in a blend of American oak and French oak offering a well integrated compliment of subtle toastiness.  This extended barrel age helps smooth out the firm tannins from this vintage.  The addition of some Zinfandel and a bit of Viognier really give this wine some punch and lift the wine aromatically.  The aromas are of blueberry, cranberry and sage.  On the palate, the wine is full bodied and rich.  The fruit flavors mingle with the toast and vanilla from the oak barrels.  A spicy finish and a good structure help round out the tasting experience. This is a lovely wine from one of the best vintages in the Sierra Foothills of the new millennium.

Saturday, May 3, 2008
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,
327-7701

This Saturday we are pouring wines that should find some appeal with everyone. The white, the rosé and the sparkling wine are perfect for warm weather use as are the reds which are rich but not heavy. Some are new releases and all are new arrivals worthy of our scrutiny. Otherwise, it is a good excuse to gather and drink some good wine. Do join us.

2006 Hagafen Sauvignon Blanc, Napa
11.99
Owned and operated by Irit and Ernie Weir, this winery, founded in 1979, is adjacent to the Oak Knoll district and south of Stag’s Leap. On the nose, this aromatic Sauvignon Blanc shows pineapple, key lime, and mandarin orange. It fills the palate with a well integrated and creamy mix of apricot, citrus, grapefruit, and tangelo.
This wine scored 95 Points and was awarded a gold medal at the California State Fair Wine Competition.

2007 Francis Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs
14.99
Coppola’s Sofia Blanc de Blancs, a blend of Pinot Blanc (82%), Sauvignon Blanc (10%) and Muscat (8%), is a delicate sparkling wine whose fruit is grown in the cool vineyards of the Arroyo Seco in northern Monterey County. Known for its Burgundian-like climate, Monterey offers ideal conditions for Pinot Blanc, including a long growing season and soils that accentuate the alluring floral characteristics inherent in this varietal. The wine shows fresh aromas of peaches, apricots, and tropical fruit, as well as a light perfume of lemon cream. It is vibrant and crisp, displaying bright flavors on the palate and notes of honeysuckle on the finish.

2006 Iron Horse Rosato di Sangiovese, Alexander Valley
9.99
This is an exciting, vibrant rosé made from Sangiovese bled off the fermentation tanks. It has an intense strawberry bouquet, followed by rich, fruity, dry, fresh flavors. Wine Enthusiast magazine awarded the wine 89 points and “Best Buy.” It has been recommended in Gourmet Magazine, Wine Spectator, and the San Diego Tribune. Unfortunately, this is the last vintage of this bottling owing to a divorce in the family. There were only a few cases left which are all here.

2005 Crescendo Hills Vineyard “Bangin Red”, Napa
9.99
This wine offers explosive ripe, rich fruit from the Napa Valley and the North Coast of California’s wine growing region at a price that defines “value”. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Cabernet Franc (19%), Merlot (19%), Petit Verdot (9%), Malbec (5%) and Zinfandel (7%), seamlessly put together by importer TGIC at a custom crush facility in Napa.

2006 Red Rock Winery Merlot, Reserve, Sonoma
9.99
The blend here is Merlot (95%), Cabernet Sauvignon (2.5%), Petit Syrah (2%) and Syrah (.5%) and at this price it is a “steal”. Lush concentrations of black cherry, plum and boysenberry are complemented by soft, rounded tannins. Body and flavor are perfectly matched and balanced, achieving a delicate harmony, not only in your mouth but in your wallet.

2004 Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
17.95
Hillside and bench-land vineyards on the eastern slope of the Alexander Valley were used to create this wine of soft texture and rich flavors. Small lots of Merlot and Petit Verdot were blended-in for added complexity. Layers of sweet black fruit and spice are the distinguishing features of this Cab. Its soft, rich tannins make it a very approachable wine that is ready to drink now but equally suitable for hanging onto for years.