Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, December 17, 2011
4 to 5:30 pm

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited toward purchase of the featured wines below

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs 92264
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Founded in 2002, Ramazzotti Winery is a small family owned and operated winery located in beautiful Sonoma County’s hidden gem, Geyserville. Joe and Norma Ramazzotti’s experience growing grapes and managing vineyards in Dry Creek and Alexander Valley has resulted in a winery of handcrafted, small lot artisan wines which include their signature blends comprised of Sangiovese from Tuscany, along with the grapes of Bordeaux and, of course, the famous “field blends” from grapes planted by Italian immigrants over a century ago. The Ramazzotti family has recently purchased the small Bandiera Winery of Cloverdale in the northern part of Sonoma. The Merlot is a good way to begin our tasting event.

2009 Bandiera Winery Merlot, Cloverdale, CA

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

This wonderful blend of North Coast Merlot grapes has a warm, earthy aroma, with hints of vanilla. Ramazzotti Wines’ second label of Bandiera is offering the first vintage of this wine with its’ 2009 vintage. This Merlot is a dark, rich wine that can be enjoyed now, but will only get better with age, up to 10 years.

2008 Ramazzotti Sangiovese, Estate, Dry Creek Valley

List price 19.00; our price 16.50

This 100% Sangiovese was planted in 1985 and added to in 1996 on a steep hillside on the Ramazzotti Home Ranch, which is located on Walling Road in the Dry Creek Appellation. This wonderful grape offers a smooth, velvety taste that complements any meal, but is particularly tasty with hearty meat and soup dishes.

2008 Ramazzotti “Raffinto” Red Wine, Sonoma County

List price 30.00; our price 27.99

The Raffinto, which means “refined” in Italian, is a Super Tuscan blend of 60% Sangiovese, together with 16% Cabernet, 12% Merlot, 7% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Franc. This blend was fermented in French and American Oak for a period of 24 months. It has a wonderfully complex taste with hints of black cherries. This consistent award winner is a wine that will definitely withstand the test of time.

2007 Ramazzotti “Regale” Red Wine, Alexander Valley

List price 30.00; our price 27.99

The Regale, which means “gift” or “regal” in Italian, is a blend of 40% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, 18% Syrah, and 12% Cabernet Franc, all grown in the Alexander Valley. These were fermented separately and then blended after 14 months in half American and half French Oak. This wine is a wonderfully complex blend with a hint of violets. It is a beautiful wine, ready to drink immediately, but will improve and develop with age.

2007 Ramazzotti “Ricordo” Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

List price 30.00; our price 27.99

The Ricordo, which means “remembrance” in Italian, is 75% Zinfandel, 15% Petit Sirah, 5%Alicante, 2% Syrah, 2% Carignane and 1% Chasselas Dore. This wonderful blend from Dry Creek was fermented all together in stainless steel, and then was transferred to French & American Oak barrels, 10% new and 90% used, for 14 months. It is reminiscent of the hearty, “old-fashioned” Italian-style red table wine, with a smooth blend of many complimentary flavors.

Saturday, December 10, 2011
4 to 5:30 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 definitely that time of year and what better selection could we offer than sparkling wines from California and from the Champagne district of France. Once again, Lisa Wherry will present an excellent array of wines from the Young’s portfolio to examine not only the stylistic differences between French and California sparklers, but between the grape blends that make up these bottlings, as well. Moreover, this is a fun event and a great way to orient oneself towards the festive days ahead.

2007 Domaine Carneros Brut, Carneros

List price 24.00; our price 21.95

This is a great property to visit if you are in the Napa/Sonoma area. The aroma of Meyer lemon and apple leads to supple flavors of lime and nectarine, layered with crème brûlée and cinnamon. It received a 90 point rating from Wine Enthusiast: “This is a glamorous, fashionable wine that gives the pleasure you want in a bubbly. It’s dryish and crisp, with doughy yeast, raspberry and lime flavors. A good price for a California sparkling wine of this quality.”

2007 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs, Napa

List price 29.95; our price 26.99

The aromas are sweet and inviting with fresh lemon and lime, followed by pineapple and green apple. The generous nose is accentuated by a salty minerality that leads to the yeastiness of fresh-from-the-oven bread. It delivers delicious flavors of green apple, fresh honeydew melon and lemon custard. The palate finishes with a pleasant acidity that is crisp, long and lingering. It received 89 points from Wine Spectator

Taittinger Cuvée Prestige, Reims

List price 39.00; our price 33.99

Taittinger is the third oldest Champagne house, and the origins of the house can be traced back to 1734. The Taittinger headquarters are in Reims, situated above 4th century Roman cellars with miles of tunnels and cellars used in the aging process in making Champagne. The House style is elegance with creamy richness. Cuvee Prestige is made of 40% Chardonnay/60% Pinot Noir grapes, and is a delicate wine with flavors of fresh fruit and honey. It is firm and on the dry side, with light oak, citrus and candied berry notes. Elegant yet well-toned, it shows intensity and character from beginning to end and stays persistent through the long, lovely finish.

2006 Iron Horse Brut, Green Valley, Sonoma County

List price 29.95; our price 26.99

This is the most traditional of the Iron Horse sparklers. It is a classy blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, aged an average of four years on the yeast in the bottle. Rich and creamy, it says “Champagne”, though the fruit is unmistakably Sonoma County-Green Valley. The nose shows Hazel nut and ripe red apple. In the mouth: there is red apple, yeast and a touch of lime. It pairs well with food, especially anything spicy, salted or fried. Actually, it works extremely well with anything from mac and cheese to grilled steak.

2007 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs, Napa

List price 35.00; our price 29.99

The long growing season of 2006 produced a fruit forward Blanc de Noirs, delivering generous aromas of strawberry, apple, and lime, followed with hints of spiced orange, cinnamon, and toasted hazelnut. Red apple and baked pineapple flavors give way to mid-palate notes of strawberry yogurt and brown sugar, leading to a zesty, crisp finish. This lively sparkling wine will retain its fruitful character and mature gracefully for many years to come.

Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne, Reims

List price 33.00; our price 29.99

This is the best bargain in Champagne and is perennially rated 90+. In fact, Wine Enthusiast Magazine gave it a 92-point rating and made it an “Editor’s Choice”: “Toasty aromas leap from the glass in this deliciously mature wine. It is soft but still very dry, with acidity tamed by both fine, mature fruit and a creamy texture that sits well in the mouth. This is a very fine, tasty wine.”

2007 Schramsberg Vineyards Brut Rosé, Napa

List price 35.00; our price 29.99

This creamy cherry/berry sparkler with tropical fruit highlights has scored big with the critics: 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, 92 points form Parker’s Wine Advocate and 94 Points from Connoisseurs’ Guide:” A sensational effort, the 2007 Brut Rosé (60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay) offers a beautiful light salmon/pink color as well as a terrific nose of Framboise/Kirsch and strawberries. The wine hits the palate with freshness, lots of tiny, well-defined bubbles, medium body and a fresh, long finish. This beauty is a top-notch dry rose sparkling wine.”

Saturday, December 3, 2011
4 to 5:30 pm

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited toward purchase of the featured wines below
Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Opolo is one of our favored wineries as you may have surmised by our throwing an Opolo wine party once every year. The wines are absolutely terrific; well made, fairly priced and they taste really good. Cary Thrasher, who traveled here like last year to preside over the event, will again officiate, as well as pour. Opolo is known for full bodied, lush red wines, yet is fully capable of doing the same for whites. We’ve included two of the whites here to prove the point. There is one problem that you should be aware of: this is the day of the Festival of Lights Parade, meaning the front entrance will be closed off. Access will be through the back of the Sun Center on Belardo. Sunny Dunes, one signal light to the south is the best approach. Just head west to Belardo from South Palm Canyon Drive. Parade stars at 5:45, so come early.

2009 Opolo Vineyards Roussanne, Central Coast

List price 21.95; our price 14.99

This white Rhone grape produces for Opolo a wine that has delicate honeysuckle floral aromas and fruit flavors of melon, apricot, and pear. It is balanced with some minerality and rounded by good acid with a creamy-rich mouthfeel. All-in-all, it is nicely balanced with a long and pleasing finish.

2010 Opolo Vineyards Viognier, Central Coast

List price 21.95; our price 14.99

A concentration of tropical fruit leads on the palate. The wine shows apricot, Crenshaw melon, pineapple, and papaya and a viscous mouth-feel 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. It works well with Indian and Thai foods and can be enjoyed with rich foods and ripe cheeses; it is also excellent as an apéritif.

2007 Opolo Vineyards Grand Rouge, Paso Robles

List price 19.00; our price 15.99

This is an unusual blend of 60% Counoise with 40% going to Grenache and Syrah. It is loaded with blueberry and blackberry with a counterweight of spice to balance the lovely wine. It is bright and aromatic, yet smooth and velvety.

2008 Opolo Vineyards Montagna Mare, Paso Robles

List price 25.00; our price 19.99

The nose brings out a sense of ripened raspberries and currants, with a thouch of caramel and vanilla. It is medium-bodied but delivers an incredibly big mouthful and an extremely long layered finish. You may even experience caramelized raspberries with lightly toasted hazelnut and tart cherries. The blend is 50/50 Sangiovese and Barbera.

2009 Opolo Vineyards Zinfandel, Summit Creek, Paso Robles

List price 19.99; our price 16.99

This is a full-bodied red wine showcasing overt raspberry and black cherry fruit aromatics and flavors framed by soft tannins and balanced acidity. Subtle pepper and spice nuances further complement this wine which is ready to drink today, although the dark color and youthful fruitiness indicate that it will likely cellar well for a few years.

2009 Opolo Vineyards Zinfandel, Mountain, Paso Robles

List price 25.00; our price 19.99

This wine is from the “bigger-is-better” school of winemaking. Its bountiful bouquet of fruit captivates the nose with pomegranate, fig, and cranberry aromas. Raspberry jam dominates the mid-palate nuanced by savory butterscotch overtones. Vanilla, white and cayenne peppers, and cinnamon spice makes for a lively finish. Opolo likes to think of the Mountain Zinfandel as America’s most decadent red.

2008 Opolo Vineyards Petite Sirah, Paso Robles

List price 25.00; our price 19.99

Impressively extracted, this inky, intense wine is sure to please the Opolo “Bigger is Better” crowd. Aromas of chocolate and blackberries continue into the flavor profile making this a great wine to pair with blackened or grilled meats.