Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, May 2, 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

It is officially a buyers market in wine, and we are pleased to be presenting excellent values to you.  This Friday we will focus on imports from lands south of the equator.  Argentina continues for a second year as the leader in growth of exports, with Chile some distance behind.  But Chile has already achieved big numbers in the export game and growth had to slow down.  Australia’s position in exports is already impressive, as well, and we are seeing more and more South African wines in our marketplace, too.  The slowing world-wide economy is having its effect on prices and you are to be the beneficiaries, but only if you come see what it is all about.

Toso Brut Chardonnay Sparkling Wine, Mendoza, Argentina
Regular price 10.95 Today only 8.99
Toso has been producing sparkling wine for 85 years, and is the second-biggest sparkling exporter in Argentina.  The sparkler is produced in the Charmat method with the Chardonnay wine in contact with its lees for 5 months.  It shows nice small bubbles and a bit of buttery, toasty quality which is a pleasure to discover.  The flavors are of apple and lemon fruit.  It is very pleasant on the palate, with a delightful crispness making it deliciously easy to drink.

2007 St. Lucas Torrontés, Mendoza, Argentina
Regular price 11.95 Today only 8.95
Exotic and unique, Torrontés is the white grape to watch in Argentina.  Showing superstar potential in this climate, it delights with a myriad of floral aromatics and enticing flavors of white peaches, apricots, honey, and lemon meringue.  The intense, sensually stimulating wines it produces are great foils for tough to- match foods like ginger chicken or spicy Thai dishes, yet they also shine when enjoyed on their own.  This bottling focuses on rose petals, tropical fruit and candied peach with a touch of spice, yet balanced with good acid and a crisp character.

2006 Au Chardonnay, Limestone Coast, Australia
Regular price 9.99 Today only 6.99
Produced by Aussie Vineyards Ltd of Queensland, this bottling is the Chardonnay in a line of “Au” wines developed with the North American market in mind.  Fruit was sourced from the cool maritime climate of South Australia’s Limestone Coast, and fermentation and maturation took place in a mix of new and used French Oak, as well as some stainless steel tanks.  On the nose are aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit, minerals and nuances of oak.  The wine is crisp and smooth in the mouth, with a nice balance between fruit-and-oak richness and lean acidity and minerality.  Flavors of pear, melon, grapefruit, and pineapple mingle on the palate, brightened by acidity and framed by buttery and toasty hints of oak.  The finish is a decent swell of tropical and citrus fruit notes, tailing off on an enjoyable mix of fruit and creamy oak.

2007 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Regular price 13.00 Today only 9.99
This wine gem is a beautiful rosé made of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from a winery that dates back to 1692.  It shows fragrant earthy aromas of cherry and strawberry and a creamy, flavor-packed palate with fresh acidity and a lingering finish.  Wine Enthusiast Magazine: 86 points “Bright, vibrant aromas of red berry and flowers open to an easygoing, fresh and fruity character that pairs well with almost any food; good minerality ensures an absence of sweetness.”

2006 Marraso Malbec, El Caballo Antiguo, Mendoza, Argentina
Regular price 9.99 Today only 7.99
This winery took the name of an ancient city named Marraso, which was protected by the spirit of an ancient horse, whose image was painted on the wall of a cave high in the Andes.  Unhappily, the cave was never found but the wine is a solid, reality Malbec, suitably dry and fruity.  It is full bodied with deep and forward berry and cherry fruit flavors.  It has mellow tannins, good acid and hints of dark cocoa, vanilla, and a note of tar for added complexity.

2007 Root:1 Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, Chile
Regular price 11.99 Today only 9.99
Chile’s distinctive geography makes it one of very few grape growing regions in the world where original European rootstock has been unaffected by phylloxera. While most vineyards around the world are planted on grafted rootstock, Root 1 Cabernet Sauvignon is grown on original, ungrafted roots, producing wines with intense fruit flavor and authentic varietal character.  This wine is a rich ruby in color with cherry, black currant, toffee and mocha notes.  Silky tannins and good structure lead to a long and complex finish accented with vanilla notes.

Saturday, April 25, 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 once again be visited by a representative of importer Quintessential Wines.  Our host on this occasion will be Michael Vlasquez.  He will be pouring and discussing wines from France and Argentina, and, as the company represents some California wineries as well, we’ve chosen a big red from Sonoma County and another from Napa.  This event displays little rhyme or reason, just an appreciation of some fine wines and excellent values. 

2007 Les Jamelles Cinsault Rosé, Vin de Pay d’Oc, France
Regular price 11.95 Our price 8.99
Les Jamelles has been producing handcrafted varietal wines in the Pays d’Oc, in the South of France, since 1991.  The Pays d’Oc (Languedoc-Roussillon), the biggest vineyard region in the world, boasts a wide range of geographic features, from the sunny beaches on the Mediterranean Sea to the plains of Béziers, to the banks of the Rhône to the Pyrenees Mountains. As in Burgundy, the region offers numerous terroirs and microclimates, allowing for a wide range of wines to be produced.  This rosé is made in the saignée method from the Cinsault grape and features cherries, raspberries and orange blossoms yet remains fresh, tart and dry.

2007 Les Jamelles Pinot Noir, Vin de Pay de l’Aude, France
Regular price 11.95 Our price 8.99
From the cool slopes of the Aude Valley comes this well made Pinot reminiscent of raspberries and prunes.  It has a lush roundness moving towards cherry notes and features a lingering finish of jam with a hint of anise.  It is a versatile wine for service with chicken, game, duck and pork.

2008 Elsa Bianchi Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Regular price 11.95 Our price 8.99
The classic Malbec aromas of ripe plum and violets are evident in the nose, along 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. Elsa Malbec 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 that cries out for more.

2003 Source-Napa Meritage, “Heritage Sites”, Napa V.
Regular price 38.00 Our price 29.50
Partners Bill Davies and Tom Gamble met on the first day of nursery school in the Napa Valley in 1965.  On the label is a picture of the two boys at play at that nursery school.  Forty years later the two find themselves partners in a winery that produces Bordeaux styled wines.  The Davies family owns Schramsberg Vineyards and Tom Gamble’s family has farmed in Napa Valley since 1916.  The blend in this bottling is Merlot 74%, Cabernet Sauvignon 24% and Cabernet Franc 2%.  There is a sweet spiciness in the nose, and in the mouth there is lots of leather, cedar and oak to go with the red fruit.

2006 Eponymous Red Wine, Macallister Vineyard, Sonoma V.
Regular price 45.00 Our price 29.95
Eponymous means “one for whom something is named”.  When the Robert Pepi family sold their winery in Napa, the exclusive use of the name went with the winery; thus the name on this label.  The grapes come from a single vineyard, MacAllister Vineyard, near the ridge of the Mayacamas Range on the Sonoma side of Mt. Veeder.  The wine displays cassis, spicy oak notes, orange peel, slight camphor, raspberries and hints of vanilla and cloves as it opens.  It has excellent body and structure with the flavors following the aromas and added nuances of chocolate and allspice.  The mouthfeel has the elegance and balance that is the hallmark of a fine red Bordeaux blend with a lush entry and continuing through the mid-palate and on to a long, pleasing finish.

Valentine Bianchi White Wine, “New Age”, Mendoza, Argentina
Regular price 11.95 Our price 8.99
We asked Michael to repeat a pouring of this wine because it is quite charming.  It is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (50%) and Malvasia (50%). 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 exhibits aromas of fresh flowers and fruit, crisp, yet soft in the finish.  Try serving on the rocks with a slice of lime.

Saturday, April 18, 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 are featuring an assortment of very fine Northern California wines at substantial discount; reflecting at the least a savings of 25%.  Three whites and three reds, all different varietals, will make up the tasting event.�
Next week we will once again be visited by a representative of importer Quintessential Wines.  There will be wines from France and Argentina, and, as the company represents some California wineries as well, we’ve chosen a big red from Sonoma County and another from Napa.

2008 Chateau Julien Pinot Grigio, Carmel
Special price 11.95
The winery began producing Pinot Grigio with the first Estate Vineyard harvest in 1998. It has been growing in popularity ever since.  Cold fermented using Pris de Mousse yeast and bottled directly from stainless steel tanks six months after harvest, this wine is consistently clean and straightforward upon release.  It is a pleasant fruit-forward wine with fresh melon and lively peach aromas to complement crisp citrus flavors.  Its full texture is ripe through the finish with good acidity and balance.

2007 Dry Creek Vineyard Fumé Blanc, Sonoma
Special price 9.99
At first swirl, the 2007 vintage presents intense aromas of lemon-lime, ruby grapefruit and fresh cut grass.  After a couple of minutes in the glass, more subtle hints of kiwi and guava begin to reveal a complex wine.  On the palate, this wine is truly delicious with excellent viscosity and length showing more fresh fruit flavors and a very balanced acidity.  This amazing wine won the Sweepstakes Award for white wines at the prestigious Sonoma County Harvest Fair.  Imagine this ten dollar wine outclassing all the great Northern California Chardonnays.

2005 Silverado Vineyards Chardonnay, Vineburg, Carneros
Special price 19.99
This is the second vintage for Silverado from this wonderful vineyard.  The winemaker created a food friendly Chardonnay by fermenting in stainless steel barrels and stirring the lees weekly, to retain freshness and build mid-palate texture.  Up front the wine shows apple and orange blossom aromas proceeding to vanilla and oak in the background.  Stone and mineral aromas echo on the palate.  The balanced acidity and a silky mid-palate lead to a zesty finish that leaves you wanting more.

2007 Ramsay Winery Pinot Noir, North Coast
Special price 14.99
The very excellent winemaker for this wine is Kent Rasmussen of Napa.  The Ramsay label is actually his second label but the wine in the bottle is a good indicator of what he can do with this grape.  The nose shows classic Pinot Noir notes of raspberry and cherry, with lots of earthiness and lovely toasty oak.  The mouth explodes with blueberry, Bing cherry, anise and toast.  Even more striking is the depth and richness of the mouth-feel. The wine is very fruity, with blackberry characters and a big, rich, tarry and solid balance. The warm mantle of oak is refined and quite opulent.

2001 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
Special price 24.99
The history of Freemark Abbey began in 1886, when Josephine Marlin Tychson became the first woman to build and operate a winery in California.  The historic site where Josephine’s winery, Tychson Cellars, once stood is now known as Freemark Abbey. The 2001 Cabernet displays nuances of dark cherry and nicely-integrated oak with a background of black currant and cassis.  It has a very fruitful entry, is crisp, with a long finish, and promises a long life of enjoyment.

2006 August Briggs Zinfandel, Old Vine, Napa
Special price 27.00
Owner August “Joe” Briggs started out as a Pinot Noir specialist first at Alpine Vineyards in Oregon and then at La Crema in Sonoma County.  In 2002 Joe located a small parcel of land on the southern edge of Calistoga, and built a simple but state-of-the-art winery there that is his home today. This Zin is very fragrant with rose, perfume, and black cherry as well as hints of leather and cedar. On the palate it is flashy and expressive with flavors of wild berries, currant, and mocha. The finish is long and chocolaty.  This is classic California Zin from two old and venerable vineyards in Napa Valley.

Saturday, April 11, 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

Easter brunches and dinners are not necessarily heavy meals which places the wines of Italy at an advantage in creating a balance at the table.  Of course, all this is predicated on how much one drinks.  Typically, the white wines of Northern Italy are light in body, delicate in the fruit profile and flinty or mineral infused to create a sense of complexity.  This is why everyone loves them, or should.  The reds of Northern Italy can go either way; Barolo and Barbaresco come from the same general area as Dolcetto and Barbera and there is a world of difference between the two groups.  Of the reds we will sample, Barbera would seem the better choice for an Easter brunch and Rosso di Montalcino for dinner.  The whites are good any time and would serve well as an apéritif.

2006 Rocca delle Macie Orvieto Classico, Umbria
Regular price 11.99; Our price 8.99
This delightful white wine from the heart of the Classico dell’Orvietano in Umbria is a blend of 50% Trebbiano Toscano, 20% Verdelho, 20% di Grechetto-Drupeggio, and 10% Malvasia Toscana (probably more than you needed to know).  The color is pale straw with green reflections.  The wine is quite fruity and fresh, showing some elegance and finishes dry with a slight note of bitter almonds in the aftertaste.

2006 Canaletto Muller Thurgau, Trentino
Regular price 9.99; Our price 8.50
Muller-Thurgau is grown primarily in Germany (where it is planted more than any other grape).  Wine made from this grape is usually dry to semi-dry and is lightly aromatic.  Muller-Thurgau is a variety that was created in the late 19th century as a cross between Riesling and Sylvaner.  It is early maturing and can grow well in cool climates, which makes it a good candidate for growing in Trentino which is located in the foothills of the Alps   The wine has peach-like aromatics and is fruity in the mouth.  It is light and refreshing and shows crisp citrus flavors in the finish.

2005 Cantine Riondo Spago d’Oro Pinot Grigio, Veneto
Regular price 11.95; Our price 8.99
This Veneto version of Pinot Grigio is light and fruity, showing textbook qualities we associate with the varietal: flowers, and fruit, with the typical mineral strain much in evidence.  It is dry, with good acid and has a moderate length.

2004 Tenute dei Vallarino Barbera d’Asti, “La Ladra”, Piemonte
Regular price 14.99; Our price 7.99
Tenute dei Vallarino is part of Fratelli Gancia, one of the grand old houses of Italian sparkling wine.  Its perfumed fruit coincides with complex minerality and is actually complex in a classy way.  It has good body and texture, plenty of succulent black fruit and is balanced with refreshing acidity.

2007 Fontanafredda Barbera d’Asti, “Briccotondo” Piemonte
Regular price 11.99; Our price 9.99
The wine was aged partly in new barrels made of oak from Allier, and partly in large Slavonian oak casks.  It stayed in wood for around five months and was bottled in late spring.  The nose is packed with black fruit, especially blackberries and plums, with slight spicy overtones hinting at black pepper and cinnamon.  Sweet, soft tannins come together in a closely-woven texture that merges with the fruit, while a crisp freshness provides a long, tasty finish.  It received a 90- points rating and a “Best Buy” designate from Wine Spectator magazine.  Wine & Spirits Magazine also gave it a 90-point rating.

2004 Fattoria Pinino Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany
Regular price 24.00; Our price 15.95
Rosso di Montalcino is produced from the same grape as Brunello, Sangiovese Grosso.  In is produced with a much shorter period of maturation and is ready for drinking only two years after the vintage.  This wine is harmonious, elegant and spicy and a perfect match to a large variety of meals.  It can be enjoyed while young and does not necessarily have to be aged, although it matures well with increasing age and the tannins become even more elegant.  Great price, but limited stock.

Saturday, April 4, 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

Founded as a vineyard company in 1973, Sonoma-Cutrer’s foundation was built upon a selection of several key vineyard properties in the marginal benchlands, hillsides and rocky foothills in what later became recognized as the Sonoma Coast Appellation, an area with long, even growing seasons due to the cool and foggy coastal climate.  Initially, the company planted several different grape varieties.   By the end of the ’70s, Sonoma-Cutrer’s Chardonnay grapes had a reputation for exceptional quality and were in great demand by premium wineries.  It was not long before the idea for a winery was floated and eventually built, under the guidance of some of Sonoma County’s finest winemakers and growers.  Ground was broken for a new winery in 1981.  Today, Sonoma-Cutrer’s flagship wine, Russian River Ranches, is the number-one-selling Chardonnay in America’s finest restaurants according to the annual Wine & Spirits magazine.  Lisa Wherry, of Youngs Market Company, and I welcome this opportunity to bring you this interesting side by side tasting event of this fine company’s wines.

2006 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Russian River Ranches
19.99
Russian River Ranches is a cuvée crafted from several estate vineyards, each contributing its own distinct personality. The gentle elevation, moderate temperatures and fine sandy clay loam of Vine Hill make it ideal for growing Chardonnay. Owsley Ranch stands closest to the Pacific and is influenced by cooling fog pushing through Bloomfield Gap each day. The soils at Shiloh reflect an ancient seabed and volcanic ash that changed the topography eons ago, while Les Pierres is situated atop an old rock quarry that imparts a flinty mineral character.  Vines rooted in clay at Kent Vineyard are cooled morning and night by fog, allowing for extended maturation, while the vines at the Cutrer Vineyard struggle through soils marked by the eruptions of Mt. St. Helena.  Pretty aromas of jasmine and rose petal give way to tropical fruits like pineapple and mango. Roasted hazelnut joins nougat and almond butter, finishing with a touch of lime and lychee. Medium-weight and clean with a wonderful acid backbone, the wine expands in the glass, offering up grapefruit, lemon, pear and kumquat with subtle vanilla bean and herbal mushroom.  The lingering finish displays hints of minerality, along with apple, lime and a surprising kiss of strawberry.

2005 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
23.50
Distinct aromas of ginger and lemon zest are joined by toasty coconut, melon and caramel alongside a mineral, flinty cedar chest oakiness overlaid by notes of honeysuckle.  Well-balanced with a solid acid backbone, the wine is rich and medium-heavy with a broad, yet firm, mid-palate.  The long, lingering finish displays a touch of spice and lively acidity.  Flavors of lemon, apple, pear, pineapple and cantaloupe, join a nutty, spicy, lightly oaky profile.

2004 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, The Cutrer
29.95
Planted on what was once an ocean floor, The Cutrer Vineyard stands hardly a dozen miles from the Pacific shore.  Intense aromas of ripe apple are dotted with cinnamon and clove, as hazelnuts bathed in cream join fragrant notes of acacia blossoms.  In the mouth, the wine is dense and concentrated, while simultaneously offering a softer, sensual side.  Flavors of baked apple appear alongside glazed pineapple and fresh tangerine, as a hint of clove entertains the taste buds.  The wine is in perfect balance given its backbone of acidity.

2004 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Les Pierres
36.50
Sitting atop gravelly clay loam in an ancient riverbed thick with cobblestone, Les Pierres enjoys a long growing season, allowing for full maturation and ripening, by virtue of the daily fog shroud from San Pablo Bay.  Full of deep, complex flavors that speak to the leanness of the soil, and the cool weather ripening and maturation, the wine displays distinct aromas of spice and lemon-lime over a pronounced flinty mineral backbone typical of the vineyard.  Signature flavors of green apple and lemon evolve to dried lemon peel and lime zest, while floral notes recall acacia flowers.  A broad mid-palate reveals a touch of spun honey.  Judicious oak aging and fermentation impart a hint of fresh-baked bread crust.  The wine’s structure is firm, focused and elegant, and the remarkably long finish is classic Les Pierres: tight, lemon-mineral, extending with great acidity.

2005 Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
32.00
This wine is not shy.  Aromas of black cherry and currants leap from the glass, quickly followed by notes of cedar and allspice.  A strong floral component marries the fruit bouquet, while leaving room for the subtle influence of the new French oak. In the mouth the first impression is all berries, with raspberry, blueberry and blackberry all enjoying a turn.