Archive for March, 2010

Wine Party – New Arrivals

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

 

Saturday, March 27, 2010

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

We are taking delivery on some very interesting wines and are using this Saturday’s event as an opportunity to sample a few of them.  As usual, we focus on the value aspect of each purchase as it relates to quality and price; something we all should be doing in these economic times.  Not only do these wines taste good, the packaging is excellent; clean and sophisticated, just like us.

2007 Napa Station Sauvignon Blanc, Napa

List price 15.00; our price 9.99

This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (90%) and Semillon (10%) from Napa Valley’s Los Carneros and the Oak Knoll District.  The wine was fermented exclusively in stainless steel tanks, aged on the lees without stirring.  Absent of malolactic fermentation, the blend is clean and vibrant. The addition of Semillon lends the wine added complexity for notes ranging from bright citrus to ripe pear and melon.  We negotiated a great price on this wine and the Chardonnay.

2008 Lyeth Estate Chardonnay, “L de Lyeth”, Sonoma County

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

The nice thing about vineyards in Sonoma County is the warm afternoons and cool evenings; a climate perfect for Chardonnay grapes.  Here, floral and fruit aromas lead to bright, fruit forward flavors of pear and melon with a hint of Granny Smith apple. This is a crisp, bright wine with good texture, a balanced acid and creamy traces of vanilla leading to a buttery smooth finish.  It goes well with Dungeness crab, linguine with scallops, or roasted chicken.  Wine Spectator gave it a rating of 87 points: “there’s delicate aromas of lime, flint and flowers in this medium- to full-bodied white, with green apple, pear and lime”.

2007 Napa Station Chardonnay, Napa

List price 16.50; our price 11.95

Sourced from four exceptional vineyards in the cool southern region of Napa Valley, this Chardonnay was aged on the lees in stainless steel tanks (68%) and small French oak barrels (32%). It underwent partial malolactic fermentation to add richness without overpowering the fruit.  The wine exhibits aromas of ripe peach, pear and citrus, with crisp green apple and hints of tropical fruit on the palate. The finish is long and clean with fresh acidity.

2006 Lyeth Estate Zinfandel, “L de Lyeth”, Sonoma County

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

Cooler night temperatures of Sonoma County preserve Zinfandel’s juicy acidity and allow for the grape tannins to mature nicely.  The result is aromatic fruit with flavors of plum and cherry.  In addition to its fruitiness, there are hints of cracked pepper and a definite herbaceousness.  Fine soft ripe tannins add to a velvety rich and broad mouth feel.  Food Pairing: mushroom and parmesan risotto, homemade macaroni and cheese, or with a roast beef or smoked turkey sandwich, or just about anything else, actually.

2006 Lyeth Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, “L de Lyeth”, Sonoma County

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

This wine exhibits hints of black plums, blackberries and espresso, highlighted with wisps of cedar and truffle.  Its dark fruit, with layers of wild berry, black currant and mocha fill the palate. This is a nice, medium-bodied wine with polished, ripe tannins that showcase the smooth fruity finish.  You can pair it with grilled meats, leg of lamb and hard cheeses such as Parmigiano and Romano.

2007 HammerSky Vineyards Red Wine ,“Open Invitation”, Paso Robles

List price 30.00; our price 25.00

This is an elegant blend of fruit grown entirely on the 50-acre HammerSky Vineyards located in the west hills of the Paso Robles appellation.  The property features a restored 4-bedroom farmhouse with a gourmet kitchen that would be a blast to rent out for a couple of mid-week days (at about 300.00 per night) or a 3-night minimum stay over the weekend (much higher). This blend of Zinfandel (90%) and Merlot (10%) has a robust deep garnet color with violet accents.  The nose is amazing and complex with accents of fresh ripe plum and boysenberry mingling playfully with minerals and spice.  The mouthfeel is impressive; well concentrated flavors of black cherry and plum are framed with well-integrated and balanced tannins.  The finish lasts forever.  The blend is aged in 25% new French oak barrels and balanced with 75% neutral French oak.  It is aged 14 months and bottled young to maintain its youthful character.   It is perfect for beef dishes or robust game.

Posted in California wine, Chardonnay, Food Painings, wine knowledge, wine party | No Comments »

Wine Party – Mettler Family Vineyards

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

 

Saturday, March 20, 2010

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

With their roots in the wine industry dating back to the 1770s, it’s no surprise that the Mettler Family is still growing grapes today.  After migrating to the U.S. in the late 1800’s, the Mettler family eventually settled in Lodi which is similar to a Mediterranean climate.  Carl Mettler, 4th generation farmer, continued the family tradition and dedicated his life to farming his grandfather’s land. Carl and his wife raised their family among their Lodi vineyards. Carl worked closely with nearby Universities and delegated several vineyard sites to experimental varieties.  This experimentation helped to establish growing conditions for specific varieties in the Lodi region. Carl’s dedication in the vineyard awarded him a spot in the Agricultural Hall of Fame. His integrity and love of the land is still being carried out by one of his three sons, Larry Phillip, who is also the recipient of the Agricultural Hall of Fame award and still farms the original Mettler Vineyards, along with his wife Char and their three children, Kimberly, Kelli and Adam.  Kim is hopeful she can join us on Saturday, but in any case, her husband, Jason Eells, the vineyard manager will be on hand to pour the wines and to discuss the challenges of growing the grapes for these fine wines.Phil Molnar will also be on hand to represent the distributer of Mettler Wines and to pour an additional couple of wines from his catalogue that have found their way onto our shelves.  One will start the tasting and one will conclude the event.

2009 Gazela Vinho Verde,  Portugal

List price 9.50; our price 7.99

This is a fresh, uncomplicated wine that shows fruitiness, along with clean, easy lemon fruits and a touch of acidity. It is light with only 9% alcohol and shows itself as fresh, light and floral.  It received 84 Points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

2007 Mettler Family Vineyards Zinfandel, “Epicenter” Old Vine, Lodi

List price 20.00; our price 17.99

The Zinfandel is harvested from one of the oldest Mettler vineyards, where the vines are deeply rooted in sandy loam soils. This intense, rich and well balanced Zin explodes in the mouth showing first its fine balancing acid, then moves on to the oak elements of earth and spice with some bacon notes. It shows good structure with aromas of red berry fruit and espresso, giving way to dense tannins and a nice acidity in the finish.

2005 Mettler Family Vineyards Petite Sirah, Lodi

List price 22.00; our price 19.99

This wine is a true crowd pleaser, rich and tantalizing. It is a lot more approachable on your palate than the usual Petite Sirah. It is fruit forward and luscious, yet has the backbone a Petite Sirah should demonstrate.  The grapes are grown organically, which Jason will further discuss.  It has a full and rich mouthfeel which is followed by an incredible burst of deep fruit and complex oak undertones.

2007 Mettler Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi

List price 22.00; our price 19.99

The Cabernet is selected from very small blocks of vineyards, farmed organically as well, which are trained on special trellis systems, one of which was originally designed by Jason and Larry.  The trellis systems allow just the right amount of sunlight to work upon the fruit on the vine. The Cabernet is aged in French Oak barrels for over 13 months, giving it a rich toasty taste, with accents of vanilla.  It will engage you with a nice balance of bright fruit and structured tannins. This is a voluptuous wine that pairs nicely with rich sauces and earthy side dishes, and is delicious with dark chocolate.

2003 Mettler Family Vineyards Zinfandel Dessert Wine “Copasetic”, Lodi

List price 29.95; our price 26.99

Mettler no longer makes the Copasetic dessert wine, but we found one last case in the distributor’s warehouse.  Wines of this nature are difficult to make and do not readily reward the winery with profitability. Late harvest Zins used to be quite popular in the 1980’s but began to lose their popularity in the ‘90’s.  Even though they are still being produced, they are generally sold at or from the winery.  The grapes are late harvested from the same old vine vineyards as the “Epicenter” Zin. It is sweet and balanced, with lasting black fruit. It shows plumy character with spicy pepper notes in its concentrated structure.

Maison Prunier Pineau des Charentes Blanc, France

List price 29.00; our price 25.50

Pineau des Charentes is a fortified wine is made from a blend of grape juice or lightly-fermented grape must and Cognac eau-de-vie. The mixture is aged for at least 18 months, including a minimum of 8 months in oak barrels.   It achieves a lovely fruitiness and sweetness, but is balanced by both acidity and the increased level of alcohol.  The grapes making up the blend are usually Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche and Colombard, the same that make up fine Cognac and Armagnac.

Posted in Apéritifs, California wine, imports, Organic, wine knowledge, wine party | No Comments »

Wine Party – Wines of Chile

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

 

Saturday, March 13, 2010

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.

Well, the least we can do for the people of Chile in their ordeal is to support the wine industry.  Of course, we do this anyway, but we have brought in additional Chilean wines lately that will prove a joy to scrutinize.  We will be starting with a couple of value priced whites then proceed to some good reds that are priced under $20.00.

2009 ConoSur “Bicycle” Viognier, Colchagua Valley

List price 9.99; our price 5.99

Sweet fruity notes of apricots, citrus and peaches combine with pleasant oak aromas. Fresh and lively in mouth, this Viognier with concentrated stone fruits, is fresh, tasty, full and savory.  It has density and structure, with a good acidity level and nice persistence.  This is a well-suited wine for dishes that may seem hard to pair, such as sweet-and-sour preparations (glazed jam, Teriyaki sauce).  Other suggestions are spicy Chinese noodles with shrimps, pasta with peas, and crispy fried chicken.

2008 Toro de Piedra Chardonnay, Curico Valley

List price 14.95; our price 11.50

This Chardonnay has a hay-like color with gold reflections.  On the nose it is very intense with hints of pineapple, lemon, almond flowers and vanilla.  On the palate it has good balancing acid maintaining its freshness with notes of white fruits and vanilla. This lush wine has a long lingering finish and will stand nicely alongside salmon or chicken in sauces.

2007 Cono Sur “Bicycle” Carmenère, Colchagua Valley

List price 10.99; our price 5.99

This is a delicious and velvety Carmenère, which displays red fruit aromas combining perfectly with spicy hints.  It has good body and is tasty, juicy and enjoyable.  Due to its good structure and balanced acidity, it should drink well for 2 to 3 more years.  It’s a good choice for almost any type of meat.  Also, different kinds of pâté and cold cuts are a good option to begin with.  A few dishes that go great with this wine are meat stews, sautéed lamb chops, lentils or bean soups, and stuffed tacos or burritos.  As far as cheeses are concerned, it pairs well with blue cheeses, and hard ones like Asiago.

2006 Casa Silva Carmenère, Reserva, Colchagua Valley

List price 12.99; our price 9.99

This Chilean style Carmenère has a dark almost purple core with deep red at the fringes.  A blend of concentrated blackberry and plum flavors are softened by some red fruit character.  It shows a distinctive dried herbal and white pepper spice character.  It has a superb balance of full fruit, good acidity, and sweet French oak and full tannins on the long lingering finish.  This is a cutting edge grape coming into its own from a premiere producer now of five generations.

2007 Toro de Piedra Cabernet Sauvignon, Curico Valley

List price 14.95; our price 11.50

Deep ruby red with violet-toned reflection, this Cabernet Sauvignon intoxicates the nose with coffee and chocolate.  Once swirled, hints of strawberry, black licorice and leather begin to surface.  Thick and lush on the palate, this wine fills the mouth with intensity and roundness.  Its strong aromatic persistence lingers as the long and generous finish sets in.  Ripe and round tannins make this wine elegant and pleasing.

2007 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, Colchagua Valley

List price 19.95; our price 16.99

The color is deep ruby, almost black, with some amber reflections. This Reserve has aromas rich in vanilla, cinnamon, cedar and spices.  Wood and fruit are seamlessly integrated.  Later, the nose develops into ripe black fruit such as mulberry and cherry with a note of blackcurrant. In the mouth, it is rich, round and fleshy like a coffee éclair.  The tannins are silky and elegant and the wine has impressive length with a pleasant peppery and licorice finish.  Fully harmonious! One can drink it now or with pleasure for another 10 years.

Posted in Chile, imports, wine knowledge, wine party | 1 Comment »

Wine Party – Malbec of Argentina

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

 

Saturday, March 6, 2010

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

There is hardly another class of wine offering value than the Malbec bottlings of Mendoza, Argentina.  By “value” I mean considerable quality easily discerned, at very reasonable prices, or, “bang for the buck”.  Of course there are those producers that feel they should offer a densely made Malbec bomb at $100.00 or $150.00.  Unfortunately, these wines have to compete with similar bigger-than-life reds from California, which puts them at a disadvantage.  Happily you will not have to deal with this quandary on Saturday when we will maintain a sane pricing pulse rate.

2009 Elsa Bianchi Malbec

List price 9.99; our price 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.  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.

2008 Alamos Malbec

List price 10.00; our price 8.99

The 2008 Alamos Malbec has a dark, blackish purple color.  The nose shows ripe black fruits, black pepper spice and floral notes.  The mouthfeel is full yet soft and supple, with black raspberry and currant flavors mingled with notes of sweet spice and a touch of leather. The finish is long and persistent with soft, sweet tannins.

2008 Zolo Malbec

List price 10.99; our price 9.99

The grapes are selected from Zolo’s best vineyards located in the wine-growing region of Mendoza.  These terroirs provide a wonderful expression of fruit and variety concentration.  This wine has an attractive and intense violet color, with black fruit, berry and raspberry flavors and a finish displaying complexity and elegance.

2008 Kaiken Malbec

List price 10.99; our price 9.99

In this wine, mature red fruits and chocolate are vividly present, mixing harmoniously with the oak, while violet aromas enhance the wine’s complexity on the nose.  The wine is velvety, with excellent structure and abundant, mature tannins providing a nice silkiness.  The wine is a faithful exponent of Malbec’s potential in Argentina, with unique characteristics, blending both intensity and softness along with a long and persistent finish.

2007 Pizzella Family Vineyard “La Posta” Malbec

List price 15.00; our price 13.50

Wine Spectator gave this delightful wine a 91-point rating: “Ripe and flashy, with a showy layer of mocha leading the way for spice cake, raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors laid over a lush, creamy finish.  Dense but lithe, with the fruit echoing through the finish”.

2007 Kaiken “Ultra” Malbec

List price 19.95; our price 16.99

Showing outstanding and concentrated fruit, this wine has beautiful aromas of red berries, black cherry and a hint of cigar box cedar.  The full-bodied wine is round and velvety in mid-palate, with soft tannins.  An added touch of vanilla and toast, followed by a long and smooth finish makes this a very elegant wine.  80% of the Ultra was aged in French oak for 12 months which accounts for the considerable elegance of the wine.  Given its ripe core of spicy fruit, excellent concentration of succulent flavors, lengthy finish and balance, it should evolve for another 1-2 years and drink well through the rest of the decade.

Posted in Argentina, imports, Malbec, wine knowledge, wine party | No Comments »