Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, August 2, 2008
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

The closing out of excess inventory continues in August, resulting in exceptionally good bargains.  Come in to sample and select some nice wines for the summer (which is half over, by the way) and take advantage of the special pricing.  At least, you are promised a good time; your neighbors will be here indulging themselves with hors d’oeuvers and wine and lively chatter.

Tosti Asti Spumante, Piedmont, Italy
Regular price 9.99, Today 7.99
TOSTI is located at Canelli, in the heart of the Controlled Denomination of Origin area for the production of Asti wine.   Giovanni Bosca, the seventh generation heir of the family that began its winemaking in 1820, runs the Estate.  This wine has a delightful lightness of being and focuses on the natural sweetness and fragrance of the Moscato Bianco grape.

2004 Folonari Shiraz, Lombardy, Italy
Regular price 8.99, Today 4.99
The history of Folonari dates from 1825 when Francesco Folonari founded the firm in Valmonica in the Veneto.  In the later half of the 19th Century, he and his sons moved to Brescia, in Lombardy near Lake Garda.  This is a modern-styled Shiraz from grapes sourced from an up and coming region in Sicily.  It is medium bodied with a fresh and fruity style; ripe and rich flavors are matched with vanilla softness and a bit of spiciness on the nose.

2005 Haywood Vintner’s Select Merlot, California
Regular price 11.95, Today 5.99 per 1.5 liter bottle
The Haywood Estate Winery has returned to the control of its founder, Peter Haywood, after being part of the Beam Estate Wines portfolio, which in turn was bought up by Constellation Brands.  Good for Peter, for rescuing his brand name.  This wine opens with a Framboise-like aroma and continues through flavors of cranberry and spice.

2004 Haywood Vintner’s Select Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Regular price 11.95, Today 5.99 per 1.5 liter bottle
This wine is characterized by its dark ripe color and aromas of cherry, soft oak and hints of vanilla. The full flavors of Bing cherries and spice are abundant, and complemented by a well balanced acidity with light tannins that linger throughout the pleasant finish.

2005 Valentin Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon “Elsa”, Argentina
Regular price 9.95, Today 7.99
The “Elsa” comes from the single vineyard Elsa Estate named after Valentin Bianchi’s wine.  We expect very good things from this vineyard and the Bianchi winery in general considering the fact that Robert Pepi, Jr. is the consulting winemaker.  The wine shows cherries, dusty notes, and even a hint of smoked meat on the nose.  The wine is fat and juicy but a little acidic in the mouth, with a short finish.

2003 Stonehedge Zinfandel, Reserve, Mendocino
Regular Price 18.00, Today 9.99
This Zinfandel is produced exclusively from grapes grown in one single vineyard planted prior to prohibition on Mendocino hillsides.  It is 100% handpicked and crushed in small fermenters, then aged in small American oak barrels.  It is a power styled wine with lush jammy blackberry, Bing cherry flavors and a hint of spice.  The wine benefits greatly with a minimum of one-half hour breathing.

Saturday, July 26, 2008
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

As we are busily closing out our excess inventory this summer, and our distributors are doing the same.  Having shopped their lists and purchased accordingly we are now offering some of their close-outs at very low prices.  Come in to sample and select some nice wines for the summer and take advantage of the special pricing.  Or use the occasion to join us and party the late afternoon away.

2006 Lindemans Semillon/Chardonnay, Bin 77, Australia
Regular price 8.95, Today 4.99
The wine is very floral and fruity on the nose.  Pineapple, peach and nectarine flavors underscore the contemporary, easy-drinking style of this Semillon/Chardonnay blend which combines easily with food and most social occasions.
Wine Spectator Score: 85  “Crisp and easygoing, with pear and tropical fruit notes in nice balance”.

2003 Carmenet Merlot, California
Regular price 15.00, Today 4.99 per 3-liter box
This exceptionally great buy has nicely layered, fruit focused on plum, blackberry and blueberry with a long, baked plum and berry finish.  It is losing some of its fruit and taking on a leathery character, no doubt from the tannins.  Still, this is a fine value given the Carmenet name.

2006 The Little Penguin Cabernet/Merlot, Australia
Regular price 7.95, Today 5.99 per 1.5 liter bottle
This quaintly named wine shows bright aromas of cherry, vanilla and violets.  The palate is juicy with flavors of fruitcake and plums.  A soft tannin structure makes for a smooth, balanced finish.

2006 The Little Penguin Shiraz/Cabernet, Australia
Regular price 7.95, Today 5.99per 1.5 liter bottle
The wine is deeply colored with a bright nose of fresh red berries and mocha.  The juicy flavors of fruit are presented in tandem with creamy vanilla notes set against mild tannins.

2002 Tesoro Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Regular price 8.95, Today 5.99
In 2002, Buzz and Kimberly Olson purchased a beautiful 20-acre plot of land on Rancho California Road, the main route through Southern California’s Wine Country in Temecula.  They are also beginning construction of Temecula’s only 100% gravity flow winery while operating a tasting room on Old Town Front Street, Temecula’s quaint shopping district.  Top-rate winemaker Etienne Cowper, formally of Mt. Palomar Winery, is now producing what is intended to be a beautiful array of premium Mediterranean-style red and white wines.  The wine suggests subdued berry and cherry fruit and finishes with spice amid the mildly drying tannins.

Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry, Spain
Regular Price 13.50, Today 9.99 for 1.5 liters (15 x 100ml bottles)
This is the world’s best selling sherry and has been produced in the Jerez region of Spain since 1796.  It is a blend of three sherry types, Fino, Amontillado and Oloroso, all created from the Palomino grape, then sweetened with Pedro Ximénez wine.  Each adds a unique flavor and textural element to the final blend which is a closely guarded company secret.  The sweetness level is ultimately adjusted to 13.8 – 14.2% by the addition of wine created from the sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grape, providing a creamy, raisiny richness.  Harveys Bristol Cream is about 8 years old at the time of bottling rendering an amber-colored sherry with smoky orange rind and caramel aromas.  The flavors are of vanilla beans, toasted caramel and toffee and the overall effect is one of mellowness and richness.  Traditionally, it is served well chilled as an apéritif or as an after-dinner drink straight.  The ice lessens the viscosity and the citrus lowers the sweetness to create a refreshing drink.  Recently there has been a trend to drink it on the rocks with a wedge of lemon, lime or slice of orange. It is also used as an ingredient for a variety of cocktails, which follow.
As a dessert wine, serve with cheesecake, flan, bread pudding or crème brulee.

Harveys Bristol Cream Recipes

Harveys Bristol Cream is usually served well chilled as an aperitif, as an after-dinner drank straight, or on the rocks with a wedge of lime or slice of orange.  Here are some additional ideas:

After Glow
4 oz. cranberry juice cocktail
1 ½ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
1 ½ oz. orange juice
¾ oz. Cinnamon Schnapps
Orange slice

Combine all ingredients except orange slices. Heat just until mixture simmers. Pour into serving cup and garnish with orange slices.

Citrus Twist
2 ½ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
2 oz. coconut cream
1 ½ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. Rose’s lime juice
3 ice cubes
Lime & lemon slices

Combine Harveys Bristol Cream, coconut cream, lemon juice, lime juice and ice cubes in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with lime and lemon slices.

Millionaire Manhattan
¾ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
1 ½ oz. Canadian Whiskey
Cherry

Fill rocks glass with ice. Add Harveys Bristol Cream and Canadian Club. Stir and garnish with cherry before serving.

Harveys Hawaiian Lei
2 ½ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
2 ½ oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. coconut cream
½ oz. lime juice
2 ice cubes
Lime slice and pineapple wedge

Combine Harveys Bristol Cream, pineapple juice, coconut cream, lime juice and ice cubes in container of electric blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into tall glass and garnish with lime slice and pineapple wedge.

Harveys Bee Sting
1 ½ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
3 oz. orange juice
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Orange slices

Combine Harveys Bristol Cream, orange juice, honey and lemon juice in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Serve over ice, garnished with orange slices.

Harveys Sunset
1 ½ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
4 oz. orange juice
Orange slice

Combine Harveys Bristol Cream and orange juice in a tall glass over ice. Garnish with an orange slice.

Saturday, July 19, 2008
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,
760-327-7701

Following is the list of the Chardonnays numbered 1 through 6 in the order in which they were tasted. Each bottling reflects its own price bracket: under five, five to ten, ten to fifteen, fifteen to twenty, twenty to twenty-five and twenty-five to thirty. Prices and notes on the wines are as follows.

#1 Aquinas 2006 Chardonnay, Napa
9.99
This wine has aromas of lemon peel, apricots, white peaches, and vanilla infused tea. The flavors are reminiscent of lemon crème brulee, peach yogurt, and citrus sorbet with notes of fresh cream and subtle oak.

#2 Edna Valley Vineyard 2006 Chardonnay, San Luis Obispo
10.95
This Chardonnay offers smoky aromas of vanillin oak and sweet spice balanced by white peach, pineapple and citrus notes. On the palate, full, round flavors of white peach and citrus are accompanied by a subtle minerality on the long finish.

#3 Crane Lake Chardonnay 2006 Chardonnay, California
2.99
There is nothing complicated here, just a light and fruity wine, for everyday sipping. There are layers of apple and citrus with a nice easy balance.

#4 Jordan Vineyard & Winery 2005 Chardonnay, Russian River
28.95
Fermentation was carried out in small French oak barrels (37% new) and aged with extended sur lie contact for five months to add an understated, creamy texture to the mid-palate. Partial malolactic fermentation permitted the wine to retain its natural, crisp acidity, a hallmark of Russian River Valley fruit. This acidity contributes to the mineral flintiness and clean finish of the wine. The citrus and mineral bouquet includes delicate aromas of crisp green apple, kiwi, honey and lightly toasted oak. The balance of green apple fruit and crisp acidity pervade the long lasting flavors.

#5 J Lohr Vineyard 2005 Chardonnay, “October Night”, Arroyo Seco
23.50
The October Night bottling is redolent with aromas of pear, lime custard, peach pie and white flowers. The Burgundian winemaking techniques, including alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel with lees stirring and extended aging, contribute a complex bouquet of honey, graham and vanilla, and amplify an already quite viscous wine. This is an enticingly delicious Chardonnay with complex aromas and flavors balanced by palate cleansing acidity.

#6 Cambria Winery 2005 Chardonnay, Katherine’s Vineyard, Santa Maria
17.50
Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay is aged sur lies (on the yeast lees) and stirred one to two times a month to deepen the texture and develop mouth-feel. In the mouth the wine’s texture is smooth with the taste of pear, citrus blossom, vanilla, and just the right amount of sweet oak. This is not an overpowering wine, one with a lasting impression of spicy oak and a crisp finish.

Saturday, July 12, 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

Here’s your chance to sample and select some nice wines for the summer and take advantage of special pricing as we continue to close out older vintages and other wines of short supply. As our inventory continues to grow we need to clear the storage area to make room for new vintages which will be released in September.

2006 Indaba Chardonnay, South Africa
Regular price 9.99, Today 4.99
This light yellow unoaked wine is an excellent value. It opens with a light citrus and apricot like bouquet. On the palate, it is medium bodied and has smooth lemon like flavors, but it also has some tartness. It finishes with a good aftertaste, although somewhat brief.

2005 EOS Chardonnay, Paso Robles
Regular price 9.99, Today 7.99
This wine opens with aromas of lemon, melon, and subtle hints of smoky oak. Fresh peach and ripe green apple are complimented by tropical fruit flavors, such as mango and kiwi.

2003 Graff Riesling Piesporter Goldtropchen Kabinett
Regular price 17.00, Today 9.99
The famous vineyard near Piesport, on the Mosel River, that grows the grapes for this bottling is euphemistically called “Drops of Gold”. In actuality, this wine tastes more of apples and peaches but with the all important minerality and acid balance that makes Riesling truly special.

2004 Bolla Nero d’Avola, Sicily
Regular price 8.99, Today 5.99
This wine has sweet cherry flavors, accented with toast and bacony notes. The tannins are soft, and there’s an herbal note on the finish. This great pasta, or pizza, wine picked up a fine rating of 87 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

2005 Clay Station Petite Sirah, Lodi
Regular price 9.99, Today 7.99
This Petite Sirah is big in structure, bold in flavor, and structured in the finish, the wine features bold blueberry, black plum, dark chocolate, and espresso notes with touches of vanilla and pepper on the finish. The full-bodied fruit character is balanced with soft tannins from French oak.

2002 Duck Pond Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington
Regular Price 12.75, Today 7.99
This Syrah is not for the weak. Its noticeable acidity and full body require slow sips to appreciate the complexity and intimate blend of spicy aromas. A solid structure with rich flavors of vanilla and black cherry, combined with an oaky finish provide the perfect complement to full-flavored dishes.

2004 6th Sense Syrah, Lodi
Regular Price 13.99, Today 9.99
Striking aromas of ripe dark fruits radiate from the glass in an earthy, smoky cedary context. Full, rich fruit flavors of dark berries, whole plum, and blackcurrant fill the palate and hold their flavors through a long and smooth moderately peppery finish. Smoky layers of white pepper, cigar box cedar, and toasty mesquite meld easily with spicy plum and rich gooseberry. This wine won the Top Red Wine & Champion Double Gold Medal awards at the recently completed 2008 Houston International Wine Competition.

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

The rapid rise in popularity of Pinot Grigio in the US says a lot about the evolution of American taste in wine varietals.  The movement away from Chardonnay was inevitable after this grape became expressed in ponderous wooded styles.  The resulting gravitation to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio have brought about a welcome change with Chardonnay producers towards lighter and crisper wines that refresh instead of overwhelm.  Lesser known varietals such as Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Albarino, Marsanne and Rousanne have benefited from the desire to break away.  You might say even Roses have moved back in the collective consciousness, as well, as a result.  So, let’s try some Pinot Grigios from Italy and compare them to others from California…

2007 Salmon Creek Pinot Grigio, California
5.99
This winery makes a delicately and refreshingly crisp Pinot Grigio with nuances of peach, melon, and mint.  It is an amiable quaff to be served very cold on a hot day. The wine is straw colored with green highlights. The bouquet is floral with hints of pear. Befitting a proper Pinot Grigio, the wine is dry and of good body. The aroma is replicated in the flavor profile and finishes most pleasantly.

2006 Voga Pinot Grigio, Venezie
9.99
The unique and trendy bottle delivers a soft and rich, crisp wine with fresh, ripe apple and pear aromas and delicious, juicy flavors.

2006 Mont St. John Pinot Grigio, Madonna Estate, Carneros
13.99
Years ago this property produced one of the best Petite Sirahs made in California from a very old vineyard.  Unfortunately, they couldn’t show a profit and replaced the vines with Pinot Noir which did show a profit.  Also planted were the grapes for this versatile wine which is both complex and interesting, and has delightfully fresh, fruity aromas.  It displays wonderful nuances of melon and pear that mingle on the palate and has a clean, crisp finish.  Still, I miss the Petite Sirah.

2006 Luna Vineyards Pinot Grigio, Napa
14.99
Uncork and enjoy a wonderfully expressive nose of pear, peach and apricot.  This is a delicious wine with a forward surge of lemon zest and pine nut flavors.  On the palate, there are flavors of citrus, fig, pear, pineapple and a faint underlying hint of oak.  Barrel fermentation begot a full body to the entire mid-palate. Notes of honeysuckle and orange marmalade close out the finish.

2006 Bottega Vinaia Pinot Grigio, Trentino
15.99
The grapes for this wine come from an old vine, low yield vineyard in the Dolomite Alps north of Lake Garda.  The wine is exceptionally fragrant with intense aromas not usual for a Pinot Grigio.  The flavors are pear toned and backed with perfect acidity for service as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to food.

2006 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, “Valdadige”
19.99
Nearly 30 years ago, importer Tony Terlato discovered this company’s wine and built it into the number one imported Pinot Grigio in the US as well as the number one Pinot Grigio served in restaurants.  This wine of the Alto Adige has a clean and intense aroma, is medium bodied and has flavors of golden apples and minerals.  It is clean with a fresh crisp character and firm structure.