Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, July 19, 2008
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

Following is the list of the Chardonnays numbered 1 through 6 in the order in which they were tasted. Each bottling reflects its own price bracket: under five, five to ten, ten to fifteen, fifteen to twenty, twenty to twenty-five and twenty-five to thirty. Prices and notes on the wines are as follows.

#1 Aquinas 2006 Chardonnay, Napa
9.99
This wine has aromas of lemon peel, apricots, white peaches, and vanilla infused tea. The flavors are reminiscent of lemon crème brulee, peach yogurt, and citrus sorbet with notes of fresh cream and subtle oak.

#2 Edna Valley Vineyard 2006 Chardonnay, San Luis Obispo
10.95
This Chardonnay offers smoky aromas of vanillin oak and sweet spice balanced by white peach, pineapple and citrus notes. On the palate, full, round flavors of white peach and citrus are accompanied by a subtle minerality on the long finish.

#3 Crane Lake Chardonnay 2006 Chardonnay, California
2.99
There is nothing complicated here, just a light and fruity wine, for everyday sipping. There are layers of apple and citrus with a nice easy balance.

#4 Jordan Vineyard & Winery 2005 Chardonnay, Russian River
28.95
Fermentation was carried out in small French oak barrels (37% new) and aged with extended sur lie contact for five months to add an understated, creamy texture to the mid-palate. Partial malolactic fermentation permitted the wine to retain its natural, crisp acidity, a hallmark of Russian River Valley fruit. This acidity contributes to the mineral flintiness and clean finish of the wine. The citrus and mineral bouquet includes delicate aromas of crisp green apple, kiwi, honey and lightly toasted oak. The balance of green apple fruit and crisp acidity pervade the long lasting flavors.

#5 J Lohr Vineyard 2005 Chardonnay, “October Night”, Arroyo Seco
23.50
The October Night bottling is redolent with aromas of pear, lime custard, peach pie and white flowers. The Burgundian winemaking techniques, including alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel with lees stirring and extended aging, contribute a complex bouquet of honey, graham and vanilla, and amplify an already quite viscous wine. This is an enticingly delicious Chardonnay with complex aromas and flavors balanced by palate cleansing acidity.

#6 Cambria Winery 2005 Chardonnay, Katherine’s Vineyard, Santa Maria
17.50
Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay is aged sur lies (on the yeast lees) and stirred one to two times a month to deepen the texture and develop mouth-feel. In the mouth the wine’s texture is smooth with the taste of pear, citrus blossom, vanilla, and just the right amount of sweet oak. This is not an overpowering wine, one with a lasting impression of spicy oak and a crisp finish.

Saturday, June 14, 2008
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

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

Following is the list of the Cabernet Sauvignons numbered 1 through 6 in the order in which they were tasted.  Each bottling reflects its own price bracket: under five, five to ten, ten to fifteen, fifteen to twenty, twenty to twenty-five and twenty-five to thirty.  Prices and notes on the wines are as follows.

#1 South Coast Winery 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon,
Wild Horse Peak
24.99
This block of plantings receives more sunlight than the other blocks of this Temecula vineyard and the wine is very ripe and big, a convincing argument for the whole South Coast region.  It displays classic Cab aromas and flavors in a wine of style and substance, at a great price.  Owing to its age, the fruit is shifting to the dried fruit end of the spectrum.  From one of owner Jim Carter’s prize vineyard blocks.

#2 Copperidge Vineyards n.v. Cabernet Sauvignon
4.50
This product by Gallo is oriented towards the restaurant trade and frequently is better than some of the higher level lines such as Turning Leaf.  The wine is medium-bodied with flavors of blackberry, plums, grapes and cherry fruit; a hint of spice.  Soft and supple tannins make for an easy drinking, everyday wine.

#3 Peju Province 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
29.95
This wine has notes of deep, dark blackberry and plum with hints of vanilla, tobacco and spice. It has a smooth supple entry with a rich, round mid-palate that is elegant in style, finishing with soft lingering tannins.

#4 Murphy-Goode 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon,
Alexander Valley
18.99
This wine has a soft texture and rich flavors of sweet black fruit and spice.  Its soft, rich tannins make it a very approachable wine that is ready to drink now but equally suitable for hanging onto for years.

#5 Castoro 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
12.99
The grapes had great intensity and color.  This wine is packed with rich berry and full fruit capped with a toasty oak note. The finish fills your mouth with lush flavors that are not blown away with excessive tannins.  Gold Medal at the Editors Choice Wine Competition. 

#6 Aquinas 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
9.99
This Cabernet has a bouquet filled with aromas of blackberries, fresh figs, cedar oak, and hints of minerals and earthy notes.  From the first sip, this wine reveals enveloping flavors of currant, blackberries, black olives, tobacco, and toasted walnuts, finishing with rich French oak and subtle cloves.