Archive for April, 2010

Wine Party – Newly Arrived Imports

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

 

Saturday, May 1, 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

Some interesting new imported wines have arrived that are crying out to be tasted.  Three are from France and one each are from Australia, from Hungary and from South Africa.  These are not exactly typical wines, which is where the “interesting” part comes into play.  Marquis de Goulaine is a fine producer from the Loire and three of his wines are on our table this Saturday.  The other wines are quite intriguing as well and will contribute to the vast compendium of knowledge you are amassing by attending our Saturday events.

2008 Marquis de Goulaine Muscadet Sevre; Maine, Loire

List price 14.00; our price 11.95

Gabriel de Goulaine was named Marquis de Goulaine by King Henri IV and for over a 1000 years, the castle has been linked to the Goulaine Family.  The castle is a 15 minute ride east of Nantes and is available for tours at 8.00 Euros.  For the same price, a group with reservations gets a wine tasting, as well.  How appealing is this?  The wine spends time “sur lie” and the result is a pretty mineral character, with light peach, floral and lemon notes.  It has a long crisp, clean and dry finish.

2006 Gróf Degenfeld Tokaji Furmint, Hungary

List price 15.00; our price 12.50

Of German-Hungarian descent the counts of Degenfeld lead back to medieval Switzerland.  They arrived in Hungary and Transylvania at the start of the 19th century.  With their estates they played an important role in the history of Tokaj-Hegyalja.  Count Imre Degenfeld, was a founding member, of the Tokaj-Hegyalja Wine Makers Society established in 1857.  The Gróf Degenfeld family was forced out of Hungary after the war and did not decide to return until 1994 to revive the winery and estates.  The Furmint grape is vinified in many ways and is most known for the famous Tokayi Aszú dessert wines.  Their dry Furmint shows a hint of cinnamon and acacia blossom in the nose.  The flavors provide a charming lightness, with a minerality comprising crisp green apples and crabapples accompanied by velvety acids.  It stands out for its pleasant complexity and medium-long aftertaste.  A fine accompaniment to fish and salads, it is also ideal alongside pasta dishes.

2008 Marquis de Goulaine Rosé d’Anjou, Loire

List price 11.00; our price 7.99

This high value rosé shows an expressive nose with floral and fruity notes.  On tasting, it is round and lively, with plenty of tropical fruits in a subtle rose water soak.  This wine is bright and refreshing.  Acidity livens up the palate and makes the wine seem sweet, yet finishes dry.  This wine is perfect for easygoing enjoyment.  Note: we have picked up an additional supply of the lovely Chateau d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé, formally 14.99, now back at our special 9.99 price.

2008 Marquis de Goulaine Vouvray, Loire

List price 18.00; our price 14.99

This lovely package was designed by the Marquis, and has the Loire River, in a transparent band, running through the label.  It is a demi-sec Chenin Blanc which means off-dry, definitely leaning towards sweetness.  Yet, it manages to achieve a level of elegance that is quite rare in Vouvray.  The wine is beautifully made and imminently sipable.

2006 Goats do Roam Wine Co. The Goatfather, South Africa

List price 12.50; our price 7.95

Fairview Winery of Paarl makes a series of similar playful wines that primarily are blends.  This one is a blend of Barbera, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo and Nebbiolo.  It is medium-bodied with bright, red fruit tones that feature hints of violets, earth and plum with just a whisper of tannin.

2007 Domaine Terlato Chapoutier Shiraz-Viognier, Victoria, Australia

List price 19.95; our price 14.99

This wine is a collaborative effort between two renowned wine families; Chapoutier from the Rhone Valley in France, and Terlato family of Napa Valley in California.  It is a spicy Shiraz from the vineyards of Central Victoria brightened with a boost of Viognier for aroma and balance, as often practiced in France’s most highly regarded appellation of the Northern Rhone Valley, Cote Rotie.  The grapes grown in this Austrialian vineyard where planted on 19th century French rootstocks, another nod to the French tradition & influence in this new world wine.  The wine has an intense berry character, followed by hints of exotic fruit.  It has a round structure with fine tannins displaying fruity characteristics.

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Wine Party – J. Lohr Winery

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

 

Saturday, April 24, 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

In the late 1960s, Jerry Lohr began an extensive investigation of California grape growing regions while searching for the ideal location for a vineyard.  Today, J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines includes more than 900 acres of cool-climate estate vineyards in Monterey County, with an emphasis on Chardonnay, Riesling, Valdiguié and Pinot Noir; 2,000 acres in Paso Robles dedicated to Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah and other red varietals; and 33 acres in Napa Valley, highlighting Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc.  This Saturday represents our third annual visit from the J. Lohr Winery and this year it will be Chris Yandle who will guide us through some of the company’s finest wines.  Paul Chatterton of Wine Warehouse Distribution will be back to join in the pouring and in the discussion of the vineyard designated wines.  This selection is seldom seen in any store, so do join us in what promises to be a fun event.

2008 J. Lohr Sauvignon Blanc, Carol’s Vineyard, Napa

List price 18.95; our price 15.99

Carol’s Vineyard is a thirty-four acre parcel located in north St. Helena in the Napa Valley, bounded on the east by the Napa River and on the north by Pratt Avenue.  Sauvignon Blanc represents 10.88 acres of this Vineyard.  The wine has a complex aroma of grapefruit, dried flowers, gun flint and faint herbaceous freshness.  In the mouth it is elegant and delicate in its herbal and citrus character, showing excellent weight and bright acidity.  The clean fruit flavors are reminiscent of the aromas, making the wine an excellent accompaniment to sautéed or grilled seafood or poultry, or even an entrée salad.

2006 J. Lohr Chardonnay, October Night Vineyard, Arroyo Seco

List price 21.00; our price 15.99

This Monterey Co. vineyard provides the vines a good wind protected environment in which to grow.  The wine shows aromas of white flowers, tangerine, lemon curd and butterscotch.  The winemaking technique to enhance the floral nature of this Chardonnay included barrel fermentation in largely one-year-old French oak barrels, followed by malolactic fermentation with lees stirring, all contributing to a wonderfully complex floral bouquet that is echoed on the palate with textural richness.  Consider serving with an Asian pear salad with scallops or delicately-flavored white fish entrees.

2007 J. Lohr Chardonnay, Arroyo Vista, Arroyo Seco, Monterey Co.

List price 21.00; our price 17.50

Barrel-fermented and aged on the lees, this Burgundian-style Chard, with aromas of pear, apple, and lime custard, is creamy and rich in ripe tropical fruit flavors and new oak.  It’s a big wine, forward in pineapple and mango flavors that are honey-ripe and crisp. This is an enticingly delicious Chardonnay with complex aromas and flavors balanced by palate cleansing acidity, perfect for pairing with roasted chicken or cream-sauced pasta dishes.

2006 J. Lohr Pinot Noir, Fog’s Reach Vineyard, Arroyo Seco

List price 30.00; our price 26.99

This is a lovely, succulent Pinot, whose direct fruity richness makes it immediately enjoyable.  Braced with adequate acids, typical of Monterey, it has deep flavors of red and black currants, anise, cola and smoky, oaky vanilla.  This is an inaugural Pinot from J. Lohr, and a very promising one, having received a 92-point rating from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

2007 J. Lohr Petite Sirah, Tower Road, Paso Robles

List price 21.00; our price 17.50

The vintage was outstanding for Petite Sirah, producing jet-black fruit with tremendous berry fruit flavors. . Although the wine is made to showcase Petite Sirah, the blend is supported by some other Paso favorites, including Grenache and Syrah, which lengthen palate and brighten fruit expression.  It has dark, brooding aromas of blackberry pie and black currant with a bouquet of dark chocolate, hazelnut and cedar.  The flavors are reminiscent of the aromas, with dark chocolate taking the fore, a plush mid-palate, velvety mouthfeel and a long, savory finish.  Tower Road Petite Sirah, given its size and structure, would pair well with roasted venison, elk or beef with any fruit and herb reduction sauce.

2006 J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon, Hilltop Vineyard, Paso Robles

List price 29.00; our price 23.95

This Cab has complex aromas of black cherries and blackberries with a bouquet of cedar, anise, licorice, tar and vanilla toasted oak.  The Hilltop is a plump, luscious mouthful of wine, with supple yet ample texture and balance, reminiscent of Bordeaux’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines with the structure to age for 10 to 15 years.  The blend is 96.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3.7% Petit Verdot.

Posted in California wine, J. Lohr Winery, wine knowledge, wine party | No Comments »

Wine Party – Chilean Bargains

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

 

Saturday, April 17, 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

Located on the western coast of South America and bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes to the East, the Chilean wine-growing climate is similar to that of California’s Napa Valley and Bordeaux.  Its wine industry is known for being consistently free of phylloxera, but political and economic unrest has brought its own source of disorder.  The recent establishment of a free market has resuscitated the wine industry, and significant investments have been made, switching the economic focus from domestic production to exports.  Chile produces roughly a quarter of the wine Argentina produces, and is known for single-varietal exports, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère and Chardonnay.  Our good friend, Mark Sullivan of Regal Wines, will be on hand Saturday to pour and discuss some of the fine bargains that fall in the under ten dollars category.  These wines may be inexpensive but they are great for drinking on an everyday basis.  The beauty of Chilean wine is truly the value one receives at the check-out counter.  I can’t imagine these wines being much cheaper in Chile itself.  “Una Ganga!”

2009 Cono Sur Viognier, Colchagua Valley

List price 8.99; our price 5.99

We have restocked this brand that was a big hit at an earlier event.  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 Viña Calina Chardonnay, Reserva, Valle de Casablanca

List price 10.00; our price 7.99

The 2007 Calina Chardonnay was one of the Wine Enthusiast’s Top Values for 2008, receiving a Best Buy designation.  The 2008 is every bit as good, possessing the characteristics every wine consumer is looking for.  It shows subtle aromas of butter, balanced by notes of citrus blossoms, green and red apples, white peach and melon.  The wine is velvety smooth on the palate with light oak flavors, good acidity, a crisp, long finish and a hint of minerality.

2007 Cono Sur “Bicycle” Carmenère, Colchagua Valley

List price 8.99; 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.

2008 Viña Calina Merlot, Reserva, Valle del Maule

List price 10.00; our price 7.99

This is a blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 1%Cabernet Franc.  It shows red berries, plums, black and red cherries and cedar on the nose.  The mid-palate is plump, plush and juicy with a dash of vanilla from the oak barrels.  The long finish is bolstered by mild tannins and balanced acidity.

2008 Viña Calina Carmenère, Reserva, Valle del Maule

List price 10.00; our price 7.99

The blend here is 80% Carmenère, 12% Merlot, 5% Syrah and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is proof that good wine gets made in the vineyards.  The color is dark and inky with deep purple hues.  The aromas are intense with ripe berries, smoked bacon notes, sweet cotton candy, spices and hints of vanilla.  The tannins are well-integrated, providing the underlying structure to support the wine’s opulent fruit.  The finish is medium-long and elegant with hints of oak spice.

2008 Viña Calina Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserva, Valle del Maule

List price 10.00; our price 7.99

This amazing Cabernet is a true expression of the Maule terroir.  Overall, 2008 was an excellent year with mild autumn temperatures that allowed the grapes to hang for an extended period  The blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot is dark red in color, and features ripe blackberries, cedar, spice, vanilla and cola in the nose.  A lush mid palate is backed up by firm tannins and a long finish.

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

Wine Party – Spanish Cava

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

 

Saturday, April 10, 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

Some of us have a deep and abiding love of sparkling wine but have to balk at the extravagant pricing of the Champagnes of France.  Of course, the quality of Champagne is virtually impossible to beat.  Even California can field some fine sparkling wine, yet the prices have continued to escalate over the years.  So we look to Spain for values in sparkling wine that allow us to fulfill our thirst for bubbly while preserving our retirement fund.  It is truly amazing that wineries there can produce sparklers in the labor intensive Methode Champenois or Champagne Method. Due to European regulations prohibiting use of that term, cava is now labeled as Methode Tradicional, which has the same requirements with an added stipulation that cava must age for a minimum of nine months on the lees before release. “Cava” is Spain’s word for sparkling wine and covers rosés as well.  We are opening a couple of these as well to round out the event.

Cristalino Brut

List price 9.95; our price 7.99

The winery behind Cristalino, Jaume Serra, was founded in 1943 some 50 kilometers south of Barcelona by distinguished enologist Jaume Serra Guell. The wine has fresh aromas, a fine and fruity palate, and a dry aftertaste. This blend of the grape varietals Macabeo 50%, Parellada 35% and Xarello (Chah-rayl-lo) 15% is clean, dry and crisp with citrus and apple flavors.  Wine Enthusiast gave it an 88 point rating: “Cristalino is always a solid go-to Cava. This brut is round, slightly yeasty and shows citrus aromas that veer toward lemon-lime. The palate is healthy and clean, with a narrow set of citrus and apple flavors. Fairly full and long on the finish, this whole package is more than worth-while given the cost.”

Paul Cheneau Brut “Lady of Spain”

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

Cava was first introduced in 1872 and, by the turn of the century, cava was the wine of choice among the chic patrons of Barcelona’s elegant art nouveau cafes and cava bars.  As a tribute to the fashionable ladies who made cava so popular, Paul Cheneau introduced the “Lady of Spain”.  This blend of Macabeo 45%, Xarello 40% and Parellada 15% has a formation of small bubbles which generate a gentle crown.  It is fine, delicate and very clean, with lightly toasted pastry notes.  Fresh and fruity, it is well structured, crispy, and balanced with a long aftertaste.

Juvé y Camps Brut Vintage 2006

List price 15.00; our price 11.99

Juvé y Camps has been a family run company for three generations although Joan Juvé Mir began growing grapes over two hundred years ago.  Teresa Camps Farré, an exceptional woman and an enthusiastic lover of sparkling wines, inspired her husband to launch the first sparkling wine under the “Juvé” brand in 1921.  The blend is similar to that of the Reserva below although the exact percentages were not available.  If you like this wine, you will love the Reserva.

Juvé y Camps Reserva De La Familia Brut Vintage 2005

List price 17.00; our price 14.99

This cava is made from the free run juices Macabeo 40%, Parellada 40% and Xarello 20%.  It is delicate, fruity, fragrant, and perfectly balanced.  It shows the three indigenous classic grape varieties at their harmonious best: dry, soft and smooth on the palate, with a richness and finesse that come from the four years it has spent aging in bottle. This is a Gran Reserva cava with perfect structure and balance, and great length and complexity. The full nose is fruity and elegant, rich and complex from the long bottle ageing. On the palate it is quite dry, soft and round with a long, exquisite finish.

Cristalino Brut Rosé

List price 9.95; our price 7.99

This blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Trepat shows beautiful scents of raspberry and cherry on the nose with fresh, clean strawberry and cherry flavors in the mouth and a consistent bead. The clean and crisp finish is an excellent match for fried appetizers such as calamari or light desserts such as crème brulee. It is excellent on its own or with fresh fruit.

Juvé Y Camps Brut Rosé

List price 19.00; our price 16.99

This cava is produced from Pinot Noir grapes grown in the Penedés.   The free run juice is allowed a brief maceration on the skins to achieve a deep pink color.  On the nose there are both floral and berry fruit notes in perfect harmony.  Displaying a lovely nose of rose petals and strawberries, it is lively and fresh on the palate, with crisp acidity and a long finish.  Long bottle aging has brought balance, length and weight while retaining freshness and vivacity. Serve this excellent value with a variety of savory courses and as an apéritif.

Posted in Apéritifs, bargain, entertaining, imports, spain, sparkling wines, wine knowledge, wine party | No Comments »

Wine Party – Napa Valley Visit

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

 

Saturday, April 3, 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

Join us Saturday for a visit to the Napa Valley, or in the least, a visit to the wines of Napa Valley.  These are all newly arrived examples of the wine maker’s art from 3 different wineries.  Louis Martini’s wines from Napa are excellent, as are the wines of William Hill.  The Reserves from Napa Ridge are in the best buy category, are far better than their regular line, and offer wonderful value at these prices.

2007 William Hill Estate Winery Chardonnay, Napa

List price 23.99; our price 18.95

Put this one in the apple pie a la mode style of Chardonnay, often referred to as the California style.  The nose reveals elegant aromas of creamy vanilla, honeysuckle and ripe fruit of white peach, apple and pear.  It is full bodied and rich with refined acidity that is maintained through the full fruit and vanilla focused finish.  This buttery wine displays excellent balance between the, acid and spicy oak.

2006 Napa Ridge Merlot, Reserve, Napa

List price 15.00; our price 9.99

Beringer Vineyards sold its Napa Ridge brand for $42 million to Bronco Wine Company in April 2000.  Vintners from the valley feared the Franzias would flood the market with cheap wines from cheap grapes using the Napa name on the label.  But Franzia took an unexpected step; he started selling wine from Napa Valley fruit and created the Reserve line that we are to taste today.  No one will confuse this with $20 Merlots but at $9.99 it deserves our attention.

2006 William Hill Estate Winery Merlot, Napa

List price 23.99; our price 18.95

The aromas are a combination of ripe black cherry, red berries, plums, mocha and licorice accented by smoky, spicy oak.  The bright flavors show red fruit in the mouth, with soft tannins and a long, supple finish.  I love the combination of red berry fruit aromas with plum, red cherry, raspberry, mocha, and spice.  There are hints of chocolate and blueberry as well.

2006 Napa Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa

List price 15.00; our price 9.99

Foremost in this wine is the black berry fruit element with an interesting spicing adding to the straight forward Cab character.  In the mouth, the wine is medium and round with tannins exerting their presence without being strident.

2006 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, Napa

List price 25.00; our price 19.99

The blend in this wine is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 2% Syrah and 1% Petite Verdot.  It exhibits a deep garnet color with intense aromas of ripe cherry, cassis, and cedar.  Concentrated flavors of ripe plums, and dark Bing cherries marry perfectly with the oak nuances.  This is a well structured wine that is balanced with firm, velvety tannins which culminate in a long, elegant finish with hints of cedar and dried herbs.

2006 William Hill Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

List price 25.00; our price 19.99

This Cab is made in an elegant and refined style with cherry, blackberry, and clove aromas which continue through to the mouth, adding intricate notes of cedar and spice.  This medium to full bodied wine possesses integrated tannins which are complemented by the finesse inherent in the fruit and the cedary spice from the elegant French oak.

Posted in California wine, Napa Valley, wine knowledge, wine party | 1 Comment »