Desert Wines and Spirits

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, August 28, 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 continuing our August inventory close-out events offering an opportunity to taste and buy some outstanding wines at an additional 25% discount from already discounted prices. In September, we begin the purchasing of wines and accessories that will be our offering throughout the holidays so clearance of stock on hand is mandatory at this time. These sale prices will be available only on the Saturday on which they are offered, along with some sampling of the wines for your enjoyment. The 25% off discounted pricing will continue for one more week so if you cannot make it this Saturday you will have one more opportunity to pick up some fine wines drastically reduced; not to mention sipping some elegant wines while contemplating your purchases. Please be aware some wines blow out quite early.

2007 Jean Pabiot Pouilly Fumé, Pouilly-Sur-Loire, France

Our price 24.75; Saturday only 18.55

Over a hundred years ago, Jean Pabiot’s grandfather purchased and began planting grapes to the land that today is being overseen by Jean’s grandson, the fifth generation to work this land. This Pouilly-Fumé is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes from over 40 year old vines located near the village of Les Loges, on very pebbly limestone-clay terroir (at times up to 50% pebbles). The wine has brilliant, light golden color and a complex nose of minerals and smoke with notes of citrus fruit, vanilla and almond. It has an ample palate with an attractive silky texture and balance; a superb wine.

2006 Arrowood Chardonnay, Unfined, Sonoma Co.

Our price 19.99; Saturday only 14.99

Dick Arrowood, who was the original winemaker for Chateau St. Jean, has sold his winery but continues to consult there in order to insure consistency of style. The wine was barrel fermented and aged sur lies in French oak for 9 months. Secondary fermentation pushed the wine towards the tropical end of the spectrum yet maintaining the lightly toasty bouquet with touches of apple, peach, and baking spices. The palate is crisp and fresh with notable balanced acidity to keep the mouthfeel stimulating and lively.

2006 Napa Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley

Our price 9.99; Saturday only 7.50

In April 2000, Beringer Vineyards sold its Napa Ridge brand for $42 million to Bronco Wine Company, who then built a huge bottling plant in southern Napa County. The Napa Ridge brand is produced here with Napa grown grapes and primarily using used French oak barrels to age the wine. Winemaker Stashak regards the use of aged barrels mostly a plus. “It’s better to use used barrels to avoid over-oaking. There’s a tendency for winemakers in California to over oak, producing wines that are hard to drink and difficult to match with food”. This wine has a rich concentrated character with black cherry and plum elements at its center. Hints of vanilla along with herbaceous juniper and mint finish the profile.

2007 Gran Sasso Primitivo, Puglia, Italy

Our price 9.99; Saturday only 7.50

Italian Primitivo is thought to be related to American Zinfandel of California after being cut from root stock in Croatia. In Italy it is harvested early to preserve acidity and keep a lower alcohol content. This wine has aromas of star anise with bright cherry and cranberry fruit. On the palate the wine displays a mouthful of rich chocolate combined with a weighty (almost thick) ripeness. While many Italian Primitivo’s exhibit an earthiness that represents terroir, this one is fruit driven.

2005 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Primitivo, North Coast, California

Our price 12.99; Saturday only 9.75

Primitivo has certain characteristics that make it unique from other clones of Zinfandel. Mainly it has small berries on a fairly large, loose cluster, is less susceptible to rot than other clones and ripens more uniformly than other Zin clones.
Primitivo is grown primarily in Puglia, Italy. This Primitivo comes from a hillside vineyard in Lake County situated in the North Coast appellation. The vineyards are located in rolling hills and the grapes are planted in well drained soil. The nurturing heat ripens this vineyard just right so that the grape retains its great acidity and flavor for which this varietal is best known. This Primitivo is ruby red, has concentrated strawberry and cranberry flavors and a rich velvety mouth feel.

2006 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Celestus, Paso Robles

Our price 29.99; Saturday only 22.50

Daniel and Georges Daou left their native France to attend UCSD, where they graduated with degrees in electrical and computer engineering. After college, the enterprising brothers formed DAOU Systems, where they developed intranet technologies for hospitals. Highly successful, they turned to their interest in wine which is developing very nicely. The Celestus is a blend of 80% Cabernet, 15% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot. It was aged in French oak barrels for 16 months. The nose exudes raspberry, red plums, dark cherry, sandalwood, anise, lavender and roses. It is dry with a strong tannin backbone and hints of plum, anise and rose petal. It is multi layered and complex with a long finish.

Saturday, August 21, 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 continuing our August inventory close-out events offering an opportunity to taste and buy some outstanding wines at an additional 25% discount from already discounted prices. In September, we begin the purchasing of wines and accessories that will be our offering throughout the holidays so clearance of stock on hand is mandatory at this time. These sale prices will be available only on the Saturday on which they are offered, along with some sampling of the wines for your enjoyment. The 25% off discounted pricing will continue for one more week so if you cannot make it this Saturday you will have one more opportunity to pick up some fine wines drastically reduced; not to mention sipping some elegant wines while contemplating your purchases. Please be aware some wines blow out quite early.

2008 Domaine Laurier Chardonnay, Reserve, Sonoma Co.

Our price 6.99; Saturday only 5.25

This is a refreshing and easy drinking Chardonnay showing the true fruit of the varietal. With a bouquet of flowers, fruit and vanilla and a taste of caramelized apple and pear, this Chardonnay will prove a no-brainer when it comes to great bargains. It pairs well with creamy pastas, grilled fish, cheese and poultry.

2007 Wisteria Cellars Chardonnay, California

Our price 8.99; Saturday only 6.75

Wisteria Winery is in the up-and-coming Lodi wine region. Situated between the San Francisco Bay area and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Lodi boasts a classic Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry, sunny days and cool, clear evenings. As temperatures rise in the central valley during the day, cool maritime breezes are pulled directly across the Lodi region creating a distinctive climate that has made this an ideal location for growing premium wine grapes. The wine shows the apple fruit that is the hallmark of Chardonnay and has the correct level of acidity which ensures proper balance.

2007 Pine Ridge Chardonnay, Dijon Clones, Carneros

Our price 25.00; Saturday only 18.75

Pine Ridge was one of the first wineries to pair French Dijon clones with Carneros soils, which, in combination with a system of controlled stress, yields intense fruit flavors from smaller berries. The 2007 is bursting with rich tropical and stone fruit aromas of peach, white nectarine and grapefruit interlaced with hints of orange blossom, toasted vanilla and lemon cream. On the palate, juicy citrus, peach and pear fruit perfectly offsets the creamy, silky texture, and accents of toasted brioche, vanilla and lemon curd remaining over the extended finish. It can be held up to 5 years.

2005 La Capilla Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles

Our price 9.99; Saturday only 7.50

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine comes from an excellent vineyard located at an elevation of 1,700 feet. The yields were low (approximately 3 tons per acre) and the berries produced were concentrated. Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense, full bodied wine and is inky purple-colored built for aging. This wine displays aromas and flavors of cedar, black currants, blueberry and mint. It exhibits a jammy mouth feel with tannins that are silky and well integrated with oak.

2005 Martin Ranch Merlot, Santa Clara Valley

Our price 14.99; Saturday only 11.25

Distinctly displaying Santa Clara Valley terroir, this Merlot shows hints of smoky blackberry and velvety vanilla, and then suggests coffee and chocolate notes before finishing with soft tannins. It was aged 21 months in 50% new and 50% neutral French, Hungarian and American oak. You can enjoy this substantial Merlot with pork, lamb, steak or on its own. Drink now and for the next few years.

2005 Kiamie Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles

Our price 19.99; Saturday only 14.99

Steve Glossner was the winemaker at landmark Paso Robles winery Justin for a number of years. That time included the period during which they received some of their greatest accolades for the proprietary blend Isosceles. This blend of 75% Cab and 25% Cab Franc shows dark plum pudding and gingerbread spice. Dark berry fruit, nutmeg, black pepper and toasty notes define this wine’s mid-palate. The finish has berry and pepper notes with underlying mocha that comes out more prominently as the wine opens up. It does possess firm acidity and medium tannins suggesting you could lay it down for about 5 years. If you like your Cabernet big, bold and full of appealing fruit, snap this one up. GOLD Medal L.A. International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Saturday, August 14, 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

Your reward for remaining in the desert through the month of August is an opportunity to taste and buy some outstanding wines at an additional 25% discount from already discounted prices. In September, we begin the purchasing of wines and accessories that will be our offering throughout the holidays. Needless to say, some product clearance has to take place to accommodate additional inventory. Lucky you! These sale prices will be available only on the Saturday on which they are offered, along with some sampling of the wines for your enjoyment. Last week our sale began with California wines which gratifyingly sold out much of the stock offered that day. Do, by all means, join us as this Saturday we feature imported wines.

Kangarilla Road Viognier, Australia

Our price 9.99; Saturday only 7.50

This Viognier from McLaren Vale is true to the variety while remaining dry. It displays an aromatic citrus blossom with hints of light orange peel, together with nuances of light citrus and apricot. The palate is mouth filling with lively zesty citrus flavors combined with subtle honeysuckle. This is a dry style displaying tight acidity, great length of flavor together with integrated mid palate texture coming from the light use of oak.

Sauvion Vouvray, Loire, France

Our price 9.99; Saturday only 7.50

Together with Muscadet, Vouvray is the most popular Loire wine in the USA. It is the perfect introduction to the Loire wines: easy to drink, fresh, soft, and “velvety”. It is grown in Touraine among the hundreds of romantic châteaux. Made from Chenin Blanc, this Vouvray is medium dry, complex, soft and round with honey and acacia on the nose.

Ca’ Del Doge Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, Italy

Our price 7.99; Saturday only 5.99

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a type of red wine made from the Montepulciano wine grape in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy. Up to 10% Sangiovese is permitted to be added to the blend. This is a fruity, dry wine with soft tannins, and as such is often consumed young.

The Goats Do Roam Wine Co. “The Goatfather”, South Africa

Our price 7.99; Saturday only 5.99

Fairview Winery of Paarl makes a series of similar playful wines that primarily are blends. This one is a blend of Barbara, 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.

La Carraia Fobiano, Umbria, Italy

Our price 15.99; Saturday only 11.99

This dark, intense and powerful wine should be decanted for about an hour before drinking (or use your Vinturi). It is ripe with nice secondary aromas and flavors of cherry, blackberry and currant fruit on the nose and palate, and with notes of herbs on the nose. It is somewhat dry on the palate, with juicy acidity and fine dry tannins. Overall, it is a full bodied lovely wine that drinks well with food but is a little austere without.

Domecq Viña 25 Cream Sherry, Jerez, Spain

Our price 9.99; Saturday only 7.50

Most Sherries are made from the Palomino Fino grape; that is, until you get to the Cream Sherries. Here, the Pedro Ximénez Grape reigns supreme. It is a rich, aromatic wine, dark mahogany in color with a beautiful amber rim. Made from sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grapes, its voluptuous nose strikes an aromatic balance between raisins and nutty tones. On the palate, Viña 25 is dense, mellow, velvety and generous with a lingering finish. Solera aging softens the sweetness of this Sherry, making it a perfect match for creamy blue cheeses. It is also delicious with coffee, or ice cream, or both.

Saturday, June 12, 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 have taken delivery of some interesting wines in the ten dollar range that are really quite good.  More importantly, they have that not always easy to find element of value about them.  The wines are all Californian, from as far north as Lake County to as far south as Paso Robles.  All make good summer drinking wines without going wimpy in the glass.  That is to say, the wines are sturdy, yet refreshing.  The three Paso wines represent an additional savings of $4.00 from our usual discounted price.  Do come and enjoy!

2007 Brassfield Serenity, High Valley, Lake County

List price 14.95; our price 10.99

Named for the Brassfield family’s High Serenity Ranch, this wine is a delightful blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer and Semillon.  The wine shows aromas of honeydew melon 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.  The grapes are 100% Sustainably Farmed.

2008 Five Rivers Chardonnay, California

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

Five Rivers is an off-shoot of the Fetzer Winery which is owned by Brown-Forman Beverages.  This line gives the company flexibility to produce another line of wine consisting of five varietals that are excellent values.  The wine opens with aromas of lemon-lime and lemon drop that suggest Monterey, followed by passion fruit, sweet jasmine, melon and some butter topped with a hint of licorice.  The mouthfeel is creamy, with a good acid backbone, crisp flavors of citrus, grapefruit, melon and some orange notes, with vanilla and spice from the oak.

2008 Ventana Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco

List price 12.50; our price 9.99

Always a great value, Ventana’s “Gold Stripe” Chardonnay has always favored briskness and balance above opulence and sheer heft.  Clean, crisp and very refreshing, it is a lovely match for summer-time foods.  The wine has lively tropical fruit aromas of pineapple and mango.  It is well balanced and tastes of Gala apple, pear and lemon zest. Aging in French Oak adds accents of vanilla and light honey tones.  The perfect balance of fruit, oak and acidity makes this an exceptional sipping and food friendly Chardonnay.

2008 Domain Paso Chardonnay, Paso Robles

List price 13.99; our price 9.99

This is a well balanced wine with fresh apple, pear and melon notes.  It has a refreshing and smooth texture on the palate and is well balanced with a crisp and lively finish.

2008 Domain Paso Zinfandel, Paso Robles

List price 13.99; our price 9.99

The Zinfandel is an easy-drinking wine with ripe, strawberry and red raspberry flavors.  This jammy Zin has light tannins with a medium bodied frame.  It is easy drinking, combining berries with complex, sweet spicy notes.  It is fine and long in the finish.

2008 Domain Paso Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles

List price 13.99; our price 9.99

The Cabernet is a solid wine with medium bodied soft tannins and black ripe fruit flavors.  It has nicely textured layers that make it easy and pleasant on the palate. The wine is polished and rounded in the finish.

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.

Saturday, January 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

We are kicking off the New Year with more recent arrivals that feature well in the under-twenty dollar range.  Three are from California, and the other three hail from France, Spain and Argentina.  There is no rhyme or reason here; only the quest for very good wine at fabulous prices.  So if you have exited your recovery period and no longer consider alcoholic beverages a bad thing, do join us.  After all, we must do our part to support the wine industry.

2008 Domaine Laurier Chardonnay, Sonoma County

List price 9.95; our price 6.99

Laurier derives its name from the French word for the laurel trees that surround the founding winery in Sonoma County. Los Carneros – whose climate is moderated by the north end of the San Francisco Bay – is ideal for growing Chardonnay grapes.  The wine displays excellent fruit character and is balanced with a lively and crisp finish.  The flavors remind of ripe spicy pear, apple, citrus and light oak flavors.  Focused, it turns a bit leafy and earthy on the finish.

2007 Domaine Laurier Cabernet Sauvignon

List price 9.95; our price 6.99

This Cabernet contains clones selected from some of Alexander Valley’s best vineyards.  The preferred winemaking technique here combines European tradition with new technology to create a wine that is abundant with fruit character and silky texture.  Nuances of black cherry, plum, black olive and vanilla top the list of flavors.  Compatible entrees include roast leg of lamb, braised short ribs, grilled Portobello mushrooms and a variety of sharp cheeses.

Chateau de Saint Cosme “Little James’ Basket Press”, Gigondas, France

List price 14.95; our price 12.99

According to Robert Parker, this wine is created from a Solera system based on 50% from 2008, and the rest from older vintages.  It is always 100% Grenache and is finished with a screw cap.  It offers lots of spicy, peppery, black cherry, and even blacker fruits along with medium body, a tasty, satisfying style, and a remarkably low price.  Spicy and rich, with layers of kirsch, cassis and blackberry fruit and a commanding note of minerals and herbs, it screams Grenache.

2006 Bodegas Bilbaínas Viña Zaco Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain

List price 13.00; our price 11.50

Zaco is the rebellious new Rioja from Bodegas Bilbaínas, a Rioja with a contemporary twist. Zaco is not constrained by the rules of the traditional ageing process.  It is neither a Crianza nor a Reserva.  Zaco is simply ready when award-winning international winemaker Diego Pinilla believes the wine is reaching its full potential.  Every year Diego will identify the perfect moment to bottle Zaco.  This is a distinctive wine made in the international style with fresh fruity aromas.  Black cherry and blackberry flavors are framed by smoky chocolate oak in this taut and focused red.  Its firm tannins and bright acidity should keep it at its peak through 2012.  It scored 90 points in the Wine Spectator.

2008 Bodegas Gascón Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

List price 14.95; our price 11.99

The Don Miguel Gascón Malbec is a full-bodied wine, deep purple in color and layered with flavors of blackberry, blueberry, dark cherry and a hint of mocha.  The mid-palate shows a plumy fruit, finishing with pepper, chocolate, and smooth tannins (wine’s best feature).  It is attractively packaged as well as attractively priced.  The elegant, velvety mouthfeel and round tannins will pair well with grilled red meats, wild game, pasta dishes and chocolate desserts.

2005 Bridlewood Syrah Reserve, Central Coast

List price 22.50; our price 15.99

The aroma displays spice, blackberry, plumy and earthy notes which develop into dark berry and plum as the wine opens up.  You may also pick up hints of violets, chocolate and coffee. This is a full bodied wine with soft, but powerful tannins.  The wine flavors open with blackberry jam, violets and plum; dark berries combine with mouth filling tannins to form a long silky mid-palate and end with a clean lingering finish.  While this wine is already balanced and drinking well now, the moderate alcohol, acidity and tannin structure will allow this wine to improve with additional cellaring and will drink well for the next five years.

 :

Saturday, December 26, 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 be trying out some newly arrived white wines from France and some reds from California.  The three French whites are excellent examples from appellations along the long growing area of the Loire River.  The reds are a fine example of French varietals as grown in differing areas of California.  All are great value wines that compete against similar bottlings of higher price.  All are simply fun sipping wines to serve as an apéritif or with a meal.

2007 Chateau du Cleray Muscadet Sevre et Maine

List price 15.95; our price 11.99

Muscadet is also known as Melon de Bourgogne which is occasionally bottled by growers in California as Melon.  It is grown near the mouth of the Loire in the district of Nantes.  The short period of sur-lie aging results in a complex, soft and round wine that is bone-dry.  The flavors of citrus and melon rind are bright and lively, showing a taut freshness and clean, classically racy structure.  Wine and Spirits Magazine gave this wine a rating of 89/100.

2007 Sauvion Vouvray

List price 13.50; our price 9.99

Together with Muscadet, Vouvray is the most popular Loire wine in the USA. It is the perfect introduction to the Loire wines: easy to drink, fresh, soft, and “velvety”. It is grown in Touraine among the hundreds of romantic châteaux. Made from Chenin Blanc, this Vouvray is medium dry, complex, soft and round with honey and acacia on the nose.

2007 Sauvion Sancerre

List price 25.00; our price 19.95

This Sauvignon Blanc hails from the district of Centre, far inland where the Loire begins its southward journey.  Sancerre is situated on a hillside area across the Loire River from Pouilly-Fumé.  The wine is very aromatic with Jasmine and Acacia in evidence.  It is dry and full bodied with the usual herbaceous character one expects of the area.

2005 Pacific Oasis Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County

List price 14.95; our price 9.99

This wine was made by fine winemaker, Daniel Gehrs, who aged the Pinot sur lies for eight months prior to finishing and bottling.  The aromas are of black raspberry, black cherry, Oriental spices and smoky French oak.  Very light for a Santa Barbara County Pinot, it is made in the true Burgundian style: This is what a Pinot is supposed to be!  The taste consists of both sour black cherry and strawberry which is pronounced on the front to the mid of the palate.  The mid palate shows a hint of earthiness and cloves which continues to a long nice finish.

2004 Murphy-Goode Merlot, Alexander Valley

List price 14.95; our price 9.99

This wine is a classic, approachable Merlot, soft and juicy with expressive fruit.  Winemaker David Ready Jr. notes: “We use the Goode-Ready designation when working with younger vines in the Alexander Valley that produce exuberant, forward fruit flavors of Bing cherry and blackberry.”  This wine is luscious on the palate, with bright acidity balancing the plentiful, jammy fruit flavors and making this Merlot highly food friendly.  Oak barrel aging (40% new, 90% air-dried American) contributed toasty aromas of sweet smoke, toffee and cedar. The wine is enjoyable now and has the structure to improve with time.

2008 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles, Paso Robles

List price 8.99; our price 6.99

Allure de Robles is an estate grown wine that is produced in Cotes du Rhone style.  The clones of the grapes are predominantly from Tablas Creek Winery and Vineyard Nursery, meaning they are cuttings from both the Château Beaucastel in the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape region of France and French Entav bud wood.  This wine is medium bodied with strawberry and cherry overtones from the Grenache, body from the Syrah and earthiness from the Mourvèdre.

Saturday, November 14, 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

Thanksgiving Day is two weeks away, so it behooves us to be sampling wines that will partner well with a turkey dinner. This Saturday we will be pouring imported wines that are newly arrived or resupplied this past week. They are very forward and drinking well now. All are under $10.00 and would function well as party service. It’s nice to have alternate choices from the mainstream wines and still enjoy a great price-to-quality value ratio. There are richer and more complex wines available here to go with a turkey dinner, but for larger groups price becomes a consideration.Next week we will sample the wines of Robert Oatley Winery of Australia.

Villa Sandi Prosecco, Veneto, Italy

List price 12.95; our price 9.99

Villa Sandi is an exquisite Palladian-style villa dating back to 1622, located at the foot of the Marca Trevigiana hills, in the Veneto region and represents the combination of art and agriculture which has characterized the Venetian landscape for centuries. This Prosecco is an ideal accompaniment for a variety of cuisines and courses. Whether served as an apèritif, or at the end of a meal, or any course in between, the natural acidity and fresh taste lightly compliments, but never over-powers, a meal. This elegant sparkler achieves a nice balance between sweet, fruit flavors and lively crispness. Look for peach, pear, jasmine, grapefruit and stone that characterize the fruit with a bit of almond bitterness at the finish.

2008 Indaba Chardonnay, South Africa

List price 9.95; our price 8.99

Indaba refers to the traditional Zulu forum for sharing ideas and, frankly, this Chard is a good idea. It is a medium-bodied wine with pear and pineapple aromas, yielding to hints of butterscotch, honey, orange peel and lemons. Its good acidity (no malolactic secondary fermentation took place) marries well with the oak component culminating in a long, clean finish.

2007 Chateau Saint-Florin Rosé, Bordeaux, France

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

The blend for this rosé is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were crushed and left in stainless steel tanks for 24 hours allowing the juice to continue to “steep” with the grapes before fermentation. This wonderful extract is given a slow fermentation of up to 3 weeks at cool temperatures to enhance flavor and aromatic qualities. After another 3 weeks of sitting on the lees with occasional stirring the wine transcends to strawberry and raspberry fruit that remains dry.

2006 Chateau Trocard Bordeaux Superieur, France

List price 14.00; our price 9.99

This winery near Lalande-de-Pomerol has been owned by the Trocard family since the 16th century. Jean- Louis Trocard took over from his father, Jean in 1991. The family’s holdings have gradually expanded to 220 acres which Jean-Louis runs with the help of his wife, Elisabeth. The blend is 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, comprising a wine that is produced in the traditional method that remains so very French. The wine is soft and displays an excellent balance.

2008 Bodega Norton Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina

List price 11.00; our price 8.99

This Mendoza area wine is produced in the traditional, 8-day fermentation period with native yeast, maceration for 20 days, and natural malolactic fermentation. It is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels to produce a round, concentrated wine with a sweet tannin texture and a long harmonious finish in the mouth. Look for red and black fruit, cherries, and spicy notes.

2005 Bodegas Aresan Librato, La Mancha Spain

List price 14.00; our price 9.99

In the 1980s, Don Aurelio Arenas and his wife, Maria Dolores Sanchez, bought 125 acres of vineyards in the La Mancha region. After some success with their first bottlings, they were encouraged in their efforts and began to buy more property which has grown today to 425 acres of vineyards, with 16 different varieties of grapes planted. Their son, Aurelio Arenas Sanchez, Jr., is the chief winemaker and his success is in the bottle. This wine has a vivid, cherry red color and a complex, aromatic nose full of ripe fruit compote, with hints of spice and minerals. Light notes of dark-roasted coffee appear that balance well with the fruit on the palate. Round tannins and toasted oak notes follow through to the lingering finish. It is a well-balanced, fresh and tasty Spanish blend.

Saturday, November 7, 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

Thanksgiving Day is three weeks away, believe it or not, and we should start now sampling wines that will partner well with a turkey dinner. This Saturday we will be pouring California wines that have arrived this past week. They are very forward and drinking well now. All are under $10.00 and would function well as party service. Of course, there are more complex, even voluptuous, wines available here to go with a turkey dinner, but price becomes a consideration. Next week we will look at imports in the same price range and the following week we will sample the wines of Robert Oatley Winery of Australia.

2008 Valley of the Moon Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

The fruit for this wine comes from select vineyards within the Sonoma Coast region, including the Russian River Valley, Carneros and the southern Sonoma Valley. These cool-climate appellations are characterized by foggy mornings and cool breezes that keep the fruit at an optimum temperature: perfect conditions for growing premium Chardonnay grapes. The fruit for this wine was whole-cluster pressed and fermented in French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. The wine was allowed to age “sur lies” for seven months with a portion of the wine undergoing malolactic fermentation. Aromas of pear, citrus and vanilla are followed by flavors of green apple, lime and clove spice. The rich and creamy texture is accented by hints of honey and toasty oak, and balanced with a bright finish of zesty citrus and nectarine.

2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards New Gewurz, Mendocino Co.

List price 9.99; our price 5.99

The wonderful crispness and bright fruit make this Gewurtztraminer a versatile wine. Not only is it a great sipper, but it is perfect as an aperitif. It pairs well with a variety of dishes, from spicy Asian fare to Dungeness crab to Thanksgiving turkey. It won a Gold Medal at the 2009 Orange County Fair Wine Competition. The price makes it exceptional.

2005 Mazzocco Winery Merlot, Sonoma County

List price 18.00; our price 9.99

This is a small family-owned artisan winery situated in the rolling hills of Sonoma County, nestled between the Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys. This Merlot blend of 76% Merlot & 24% Cabernet Sauvignon does not disappoint. Sweet cassis, violets and cherry jam lead to licorice and mocha flavors over a rich, extracted palate. The big tannins are integrated with a fruit forward core, containing roasted oak with hints of cacao, and camphor in the finish.

2006 Red Rock Winery Merlot, California

List price 9.99; our price 7.99

The aroma of this merlot is fruity raspberry and cherry. The taste is dark cherry, plum and raspberry. The tannins are actually toned down by the fruit, so the wine is actually well-balanced. It is wonderful for casual drinking or to accompany a variety of food items such as pasta, pizza, and grilled chicken. A nice beef stew would probably go really well, too. This wine is not about complexity, it’s about quality: quality fruit & quality winemaking.

2005 Mazzocco Winery Zinfandel, Sonoma County

List price 18.00; our price 9.99

Mazzocco is especially known for its vineyard-designate Zinfandels—each robust and sumptuous yet individual in nature. Today we are trying the Sonoma blend which is fruit-forward with a splash of spice. Black cherry jam, raspberry and plums permeate the nose while the palate reveals allspice and cayenne pepper with dabs of blackberry. This 100% Zinfandel’s core is framed with supple tannins, and is accented with nougat and vanilla.

2007 Apothic Red, Winemaker’s Blend, California

List price 14.00; our price 9.99

This is a blend of three grapes, combining the dark fruit flavors of Syrah, brambly spice of Zinfandel, and smooth elegance of Merlot. The wine reveals intense fruit aromas and flavors of blackberry and dark cherry layered with hints of mocha, chocolate and brown spice. The plush, velvety mouthfeel and smooth finish round out this intriguing, full-bodied red blend. At this price it delivers considerable value.