Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, October 2, 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

Classic Wines Company of California is an import and distribution arm owned by the Franzia family. It has a very large array of wines fitting into every price point from the very low to medium high. The idea is to provide retailers and restaurateurs a large mix of choices to fit most needs on a wine list or on a store shelf. Within these pricing brackets is quite an interesting mix of wines, reflecting the price with concomitant value. Usually, the more one spends, the higher the quality. This Saturday, Johanne Lefebvre will represent the company at our event to pour and discuss some of the wines from the inexpensive end of the spectrum. Party planners should find this event worth while.

2009 Motos Liberty Pinot Grigio, California

List price 9.95; our price 7.99

This is definitely a pear toned wine with some apple flavor and there is present a hint of honeysuckle. As the wine flows into the palate, pear and pineapple are predominant and it ends with a smooth refreshing finish. Enjoy with seafood (light & heavy), shellfish, pork, cheese and poultry.

2008 Mont Pellier Viognier, California

List price 6.00; our price 4.99

The Viognier grape comes from Condrieu in the Rhone Valley of France. It is a finicky grape that wants the right amount of heat and coolness to produce at its best. This high value bottling seems to have met the criteria. The lovely fruit and floral characteristics have helped this wine garner a Gold Medal at the Riverside International Wine Competition 2010.

2008 Congress Springs Chardonnay, Lodi

List price 9.95; our price 7.99

This lovely wine shows ripe tropical fruit, fine acidity, pineapple golden apple aromas and flavors are matched by light mineral notes together giving complexity and a delightfully refreshing quality. The citrus blossom and lemon drop character helped it win a Silver Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2010.

2006 Crane Lake Malbec, California

List price 3.50; our price 2.99

This is a fun easy-drinking wine with plenty of plum, black cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors. It is a good choice for large events or holiday parties. The soft tannins provide a smooth finish. Try it with a leg of lamb, sausage, duck, pasta in a red sauce, or grilled steak. It should hold for another year or so.

2009 Forest Glen Pinot Noir, California

List price 9.95; our price 7.99

This wine offers captivating black cherry and blackberry flavors enhanced by vanilla-spice. This elegant, silky-textured wine is remarkably versatile at the dining table. Its balanced acidity and bright fruit pair as successfully with rich fish such as salmon as with red meats, duck, or grilled vegetables. The flavors are deep enough to indicate blending with another varietal of the fruity type such as Syrah.

2008 Mont Pellier Syrah, California

List price 6.00; our price 4.99

Syrah combines a meaty core of ripe berry fruit with tones that range from herbal to peppery in a package that tends to be medium bodied with good acidity and softer tannins. It is smooth and tender, yet fine and serious. This easy-drinking wine is a real winner.

Saturday, September 25, 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 keeping with our unending commitment to provide you with fine wines at excellent prices we are pouring this Saturday some very good value wines. As the summer comes to an end, more of you will be getting back into entertaining and/or being entertained. We are well supplied with such bottlings and many more are on the way. Besides we’ll use any excuse for a party. For those of you who missed the Opolo Vineyards event last week…you missed a good one. The following weekend is reserved for Johanne Lefebvre of Classic Wines to be our hostess and discuss her wines with you.

2007 Brassfield Estate Winery Serenity, Lake County

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer and Semillon. It’s nicely crisp in acids, with sweet, jammy pineapple, apricot, peach, vanilla and cinnamon spice flavors. It shows a brilliant entry of honeydew melon aromas, and fresh minty qualities reminiscent of a Caribbean Mojito. Tropical fruit cocktail flavors are perfectly balanced with the palate-cleansing acidity that lingers to a wonderfully long, bright finish. The soft, round mouth-feel along with a touch of sweetness is perfectly balanced with the acidity to deliver a palate cleansing freshness to pan-Asian cuisine, spicy Thai, or for a cocktail apéritif.

2009 Dry Creek Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County

List price 11.99; our price 9.99

At first swirl, this wine presents bright aromas of lemon peel and passion fruit. After several minutes in the glass, additional aromas of pineapple and grapefruit shine through. On the palate, the wine continues the refreshing theme of citrus elements, along with a wonderful backbone of minerals that provide dimension and weight to the palate. Subtle, nuanced, and showing true varietal character, this delicious wine finishes crisp and juicy proving again just how versatile Sauvignon Blanc can be. The wine is rated 89 points by California Grapevine. You may recall the last vintage we carried that won the Sweepstakes Award at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. This issue, too, is very well made.

2006 Kunde Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley

List price 14.50; our price 9.99

This wine shows a very attractive nose of fresh Gala apples and heady aromas of rising bread dough with tempting flavors of baked apples and pears and a touch of vanilla in the finish. Look for hints of pineapple and grapefruit. This wine’s character will compliment grilled halibut, fresh salads, or chicken kabobs, to say the least.

2009 Chateau de Campuget Rosé, Rhone Valley, France

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

This blend of Grenache Noir (30%) and Syrah (70%) shows bright, citrus flavors on the front palate, matched by a fine slate authenticity on the finish, giving it real depth. The red berry bouquet and bone dry mouth feel make this rosé from the French appellation of Costières de Nîmes a versatile food wine The final taste is very long, leaving a delicate impression of fruitiness.

2008 Leese-Fitch Pinot Noir, Sonoma

List price 12.00; Our price 9.99

The wines of Leese-Fitch celebrate the restoration of the Leese-Fitch building located in the Sonoma Square. Built in 1836, this historical landmark in Sonoma Plaza was named after Jacob Leese and Henry Fitch, brothers-in-law to General Mariano Vallejo, the founder of the town of Sonoma. The wine has a light ruby color with lots of cherries on the nose. The flavor profile consists of berries with some earthiness, a touch of cocoa and black pepper towards the end.

2006 Rutz Cellars French Cuvée, Vin de Pays, France

List price 13.00; our price 9.99

This blend from the south of France displays a solid nose of blackberry tinged with notes of tea, and spice. It is medium bodied in the mouth, and replicates the same elements mentioned above. The good acid balance keeps the wine bright and lively. It closes stylishly with a ripe, softly tannic finish.

Saturday, September 18, 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

Opolo owners Rick Quinn and Dave Nichols have been vineyard neighbors in Paso Robles since 1997 and enjoyed their first commercial crush in 1999 upon forging their new partnership. The first crush produced Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, and Muscat Canelli. The other varietals followed and now serve to prove Paso Robles to be a fine production area for most of California’s wine grapes. In turn they serve to prove that Opolo shares command of the potential high quality level of the wines made in this area. So, what does the name Opolo mean? It comes from Quinn’s Yugoslavian heritage, and refers to the name of a blended rosé-style wine found on the Dalmatian Coast. Oddly, that is the one type of wine not produced at Opolo. Joining us for this event will be Cary Thrasher of Opolo Vineyards.

2008 Opolo Vineyards Viognier, Central Coast

List price 23.50; Our price 20.99

Great concentration of tropical fruit leads on the palate. The wine shows apricot, Crenshaw melon, pineapple, papaya, and a viscous intensity that lingers for a rich long finish. All of this concentrated fruit is accented with a touch of exotic spiciness that highlights the richness of the wine and leaves a clean and refreshing impression on the palate. A very big-bodied wine with loads of forward fruit makes this Viognier particularly good with smoked and grilled items. Its tropical tones are also an excellent accompaniment to Indian and Thai Curry and most Asian foods and spices. Try it with full flavored foods and ripe cheeses, or serve it as an apéritif.

2006 Opolo Vineyards Grand Rouge, Paso Robles

List price 19.00; Our price 15.99

This blend of Counoise (60%), Grenache (20%), and Petite Sirah (20%) displays hints of strawberry and mocha on the nose. It turns increasingly complex in the mouth showing layers of blueberry, plum and blackberry with hints of nutmeg and spice on the finish. Its lighter style makes it a perfect summer red.

2006 Opolo Vineyards Sangiovese, Paso Robles

List price 22.50; Our price 15.99

Sangiovese, the noble grape of Tuscany, has found a new home at Opolo vineyards. This is a full-bodied wine featuring forward fruit characteristics of raspberry and black cherry. Barrel aging on 100% American oak lend this wine soft tannins and subtle oak nuances.

2007 Opolo Vineyards Zinfandel, Summit Creek, Paso Robles

List price 18.00; Our price 16.99

Named for the creek that runs through Opolo’s west-side vineyard in the Santa Lucia Mountains, the Summit Creek Zin offers intense fruit, including ripe black cherry, raspberry and a touch of pepper and spice. In the mouth, this well-balanced wine offers a delightful aftertaste that keeps on giving. It is medium bodied, framed with soft tannins and modest acidity. This approachable wine is ready to enjoy today, yet will likely improve with an additional year or two of cellaring.

2006 Opolo Vineyards Petit Sirah, Paso Robles

List price 22.50; Our price 19.99

Impressively extracted, this inky, intense wine is sure to please the Opolo “bigger is better” crowd. Aromas of chocolate, blackberries, graham crackers with a touch of cinnamon inspire visions of what’s to follow. The palate is greeted by gobs and gobs of dark, jammy fruit unfolding in waves of chocolate, spice, toasty oak and vanilla. The long lingering finish is soft and round but don’t let this gargantuan wine fool you, it has plenty of dry tannins to satisfy the big red wine drinker and collector in you. Pair with blackened grilled meats, or triple cream cheeses.

2008 Opolo Vineyards Muscat Canelli, Paso Robles

List price 14.00; Our price 11.99

Always seductive, this Muscat Canelli treats the taster with aromas and flavors of melons and peaches, and offers a floral, perfume-like bouquet. You may even pick out the lychee nut and accompanying minerality in the wine. Generally served chilled, this delightful wine is slightly sweet.

Saturday, September 4, 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

This Saturday we will be taking a wine tour of California as well as exploring the important varietals grown in the state. The tour begins in Lake County, drops down to Napa, leaps to the central coast, then zigzags between the Carneros District, Santa Clara Valley and Mendocino County. Here is an opportunity to fine tune your already acute senses (having attended our sessions previously) and stimulate your intellectual curiously as well…and drink wine.

2008 Brassfield Estate Winery Pinot Grigio, Lake County

List price 13.00; Our price 9.99

Interestingly, this wine was aged sur lie for 8 months with batonage (lees stirring) every 1-2 weeks to create additional body and viscosity in the resulting wine. It is alive and zesty, with vibrant tropical aromas of mango and passion fruit pairing with more subtle hints of coconut, ginger, fennel and start jasmine. Ripe peach and pineapple further enhance the delicious flavor profile on a perfectly balanced framework of acidity and minerality. The wine finishes with a supple and elegant mouth-feel. It won a Silver Medal at this year’s San Francisco Int’l Wine Competition.

2008 Raymond Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Napa Valley

List price 14.50; Our price 11.99

Raymond’s winemakers used a long, cool fermentation process followed by cellaring completely in stainless steel prior to bottling. This produces a wine with crisp acidity and captures the flinty, citrus aroma and flavor characteristics of this versatile variety. A small amount of Semillon was added to the final blend as a compliment to the citrus of the Sauvignon Blanc and to provide added richness to the wine. It is light-bodied and refreshing, with peach, nectarine, grass and herbal notes that finish with a crisp, citrusy edge.

2009 Saddlerock Chardonnay, Central Coast

List price 9.99; Our price 7.99

The Semmler family owns the Saddlerock Ranch positioned at the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains, but the grapes for this bottling are from the Central Coast. The just-released wine shows hints of green apple, citrus and pear fused with floral notes of lemon blossom. The aromatics transcend on to the palette with delicate acidity and a smooth finish.

2006 Buena Vista Pinot Noir Carneros District

List price 22.00; Our price 19.95

The 2006 Pinot Noir Carneros has aromas of bright Bing cherry, fresh ground nutmeg and earthy wild mushroom. In the mouth the wine shows intense bright blackberry and plum fruit with undertones of sweet mocha and clove. Winemaker Jeff Stewart believes the screw cap closure captures the pure Pinot Noir aromas and flavors and delivers the best quality in the glass. This is a wine of great depth with the long, supple finish considered a hallmark of Carneros Pinot Noir. It won a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Int’l Wine Competition.

2004 Martin Ranch Merlot, Santa Clara Valley

List price 19.50; Our price 14.99

Recently we tasted the 2005 from this property and are now jumping back a vintage. Terese and Dan Martin planted 17 acres in the southern tip of the Santa Cruz Mountains and enjoyed their first vintage in 1997. Distinctly displaying Santa Clara Valley terroir, this Merlot hints of plum and blackberry, with a velvety vanilla middle. It is a full bodied wine with a hint of chocolate showing in the finish.

2006 Seabiscuit Ranch Superfecta Meritage, Mendocino County

List price 23.00; Our price 19.95

The grapes for this wine were grown on the Ranch where the famous horse retired in northern California’s Redwood Valley. The blend for this bottling is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine has deep purple color, concentrated ripe fruit aromas and flavors, with medium-to-robust body. It has rich fruit, soft tannins and a hint of oak. It is ideal for drinking now, yet will benefit from further bottle aging for many years.