Wine Party/Quintessential Wines
Saturday, February 14, 2009
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
This Saturday we will be visited by Brandon Lee representing importer Quintessential Wines of Napa, California. This very knowledgable young man will be discussing the wines being poured as well as the interesting mix his company represents. Quintessential’s mission is to create a roster of small, family-owned wineries from around the world whose wines reflect the best expressions and highest quality of their particular appellations. To date, some twenty wineries are nestled in their portfolio. Next Saturday will be devoted to sparkling wines and the following week we will have Steele Winery of Lake County.
2007 Elsa Bianchi Torrontés, Mendoza, Argentina
8.99
Torrontés is a wine of pleasing fruit intensity both in the nose and on the palate. Clean refreshing aromas with hints of spice, fruit, and honey lead to similar flavors on the palate, with good natural acidity and a clean refreshing finish. This variety is blessed with the ability to develop these nice aromas and flavors at relatively low sugars which translates into better balance for a light to medium bodied white wine.
2008 Elsa Bianchi Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
8.99
The classic Malbec aromas of ripe plum and violets are evident in the nose, with hints of vanilla. The beauty of the Malbec in Argentina is its ability to combine a rich, weighty mouth feel with a soft silkiness normally associated with lighter wines. This one takes the promise of the nose through to the palate, with pleasing fruit that mimics the aroma. The soft, supple palate leads to a lingering finish.
2006 Two Angels Petite Sirah, High Valley
19.99
The grapes for Two Angels come from the renowned Shannon Ridge Vineyards, an extremely volcanic, red pumice stone terroir. Hugging the mountain rims along the east edge of the High Valley AVA at close to 2,200 feet (the highest vineyards in California), the area is reminiscent of the Rhone Valley’s Crozes-Hermitage vineyards. The wine boasts savory aromas of dark berry, violets, pomegranate, tamarind and roasted game. Abundant fruit flavors are nicely integrated with toasted oak and roasted coffee undertones. What is especially alluring, given the dark color and ample, rich tannins, is the round, almost silky, mouthfeel and the pleasing, lingering finish.
2006 Famiglia Bianchi Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
16.50
Valentin Bianchi’s Famiglia Bianchi Malbec has a luscious, intense fruit aroma, with hints of ripe plums, cherries and berries. The flavors mimic the aromas, with a massive, yet soft and silky, mouthfeel and a lush, long finish. It is an excellent expression of the highly-praised Malbec grape, as it pertains to Argentina.
2005 Henry’s Drive Vignerons Padthaway Parson’s Flat, Australia
27.00
This is a finely-tuned blend of Shiraz (70%) and Cabernet (30%) that allows both varieties to express themselves. The wine has a dense ripe cherry color, with a purple hue. The nose displays a concentrated array of mixed berries, smoky cigar box, spicy pepper, clove, caramel and mocha. An initial sweet, concentrated explosion of luscious blackberry on the palate leads to savory spice, coffee bean and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is evident, contributing some attractive leafy and spearmint/peppermint flavors. Firm and granular tannins leave the mouth with a persistent coating.
Nv Valentin Bianchi New Age White, Mendoza, Argentina
8.99
This blend of 50% Malvasia and 50% Sauvignon Blanc produces a vivacious and sensual wine, exhibiting aromas of fresh flowers and crisp fruit, yet remaining soft in the finish. The fruit is hand picked followed by crushing, cooling of crushed grapes, and pressing. Fermentation begins by inoculating with selected yeasts. Halfway through the fermentation process, the wine is centrifuged (spun) to halt fermentation, creating a slightly sweet, semi-sparkling wine. It is a wine to drink anywhere and on any occasion, but best enjoyed very chilled and outdoors with good friends!
