Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, August 1, 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 week we are pouring samples of wines that arrived within the last week or so. There continue to be excellent values on the market and we will keep you apprised of them. Most of these are in the $10.00 range and under and indicate the wide range of quality wines that serve for everyday use or for party fare. Much of the remainder of our summer program will reflect the value potential of this price range.

2007 Ventana Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco, MontereyList

price 12.95; our price 9.99

Ventana’s cool weather vines produce fruit which creates a wine with a slightly grassy and citrus nose. The Sauvignon Blanc displays wonderful flavors of white peach, grapefruit and a touch of honeydew. The wine is completely dry with rich rounded texture and a flinty crispness. This is not a Chardonnay “want-to-be”; it is made in the classic French style for the best accompaniment to food.

2007 Congress Springs Viognier, LodiList

price 7.95; our price 5.99

This Viognier may not offer much in the way of complexity, but the delight factor runs quite high. It is fruit laden with obvious floral peach and green apple fruit that extend far beyond the bouquet, through the mouth and on to the long crisp finish.

2007 Ventana Chardonnay, “Gold Stripe”, Arroyo Seco, Monterey

List price 14.00; our price 10.99

This wine has lively tropical fruit aromas of pineapple and mango, with intense flavors of Gala apple, pear and lemon. Oak aging adds an accent of vanilla and light honey tones. The perfect balance of fruit, oak and acidity makes this an exceptional food friendly wine. Its versatility makes it work well with shell fish, all the way to pork roasts. It won a gold medal at the Taster’s Guild Intl’ Wine Competition this year and several silver medals elsewhere, as well.

2007 Château d’Aqueria Rosé, Tavel, France

List price 14.99; our price 9.99

Here is your opportunity to try one of the benchmark Tavel rosés at the lowest price seen in recent years. This is a spectacular price, as is the wine. I doubt that this price will ever be seen again for a current release. The qualities of climate and soil followed by a controlled vinification and experienced assembly of each variety make Tavel unique among rosés in intensity of color, body and bouquet. Château d’Aqueria is the quintessential Tavel; vibrant salmon-pink in color, with a penetrating fruit fragrance offset by floral notes. Bone dry, full bodied and succulently fruity on the palate, its lush intensity and depth are balanced by an extraordinarily refreshing acidity carrying into a long, crisp finish with vibrant peppery nuances.

2006 Chateau Trocard, Bordeaux Superieur, France

List price 14.95; our price 9.99

The Trocard family traces its winemaking history back to the 16th Century. They remain located close to Pomerol and St. Emilion. The nose of this wine shows red fruit, strawberry and blackcurrant. The aromas show some complexity which increases upon aeration. Its silky attack, fineness and elegance and its supple tannins make this wine very harmonious and well-balanced in the mouth.

2006 Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

List price 16.00; our price 9.99

The rich, complex flavors of the 2006 Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon reflect both the diversity and synergy of grapes grown in Sonoma’s soils and climatic regions. The expansive aromas and mouth-filling flavors of this wine are thick with dark cherry, cassis and smoky spices. The ripe dark fruit flavors, supported by velvety tannins, culminate in an elegant finish that lingers with bittersweet chocolate and spice nuances. Fine value!

Saturday, April 18, 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 are featuring an assortment of very fine Northern California wines at substantial discount; reflecting at the least a savings of 25%.  Three whites and three reds, all different varietals, will make up the tasting event.�
Next week we will once again be visited by a representative of importer Quintessential Wines.  There will be wines from France and Argentina, and, as the company represents some California wineries as well, we’ve chosen a big red from Sonoma County and another from Napa.

2008 Chateau Julien Pinot Grigio, Carmel
Special price 11.95
The winery began producing Pinot Grigio with the first Estate Vineyard harvest in 1998. It has been growing in popularity ever since.  Cold fermented using Pris de Mousse yeast and bottled directly from stainless steel tanks six months after harvest, this wine is consistently clean and straightforward upon release.  It is a pleasant fruit-forward wine with fresh melon and lively peach aromas to complement crisp citrus flavors.  Its full texture is ripe through the finish with good acidity and balance.

2007 Dry Creek Vineyard Fumé Blanc, Sonoma
Special price 9.99
At first swirl, the 2007 vintage presents intense aromas of lemon-lime, ruby grapefruit and fresh cut grass.  After a couple of minutes in the glass, more subtle hints of kiwi and guava begin to reveal a complex wine.  On the palate, this wine is truly delicious with excellent viscosity and length showing more fresh fruit flavors and a very balanced acidity.  This amazing wine won the Sweepstakes Award for white wines at the prestigious Sonoma County Harvest Fair.  Imagine this ten dollar wine outclassing all the great Northern California Chardonnays.

2005 Silverado Vineyards Chardonnay, Vineburg, Carneros
Special price 19.99
This is the second vintage for Silverado from this wonderful vineyard.  The winemaker created a food friendly Chardonnay by fermenting in stainless steel barrels and stirring the lees weekly, to retain freshness and build mid-palate texture.  Up front the wine shows apple and orange blossom aromas proceeding to vanilla and oak in the background.  Stone and mineral aromas echo on the palate.  The balanced acidity and a silky mid-palate lead to a zesty finish that leaves you wanting more.

2007 Ramsay Winery Pinot Noir, North Coast
Special price 14.99
The very excellent winemaker for this wine is Kent Rasmussen of Napa.  The Ramsay label is actually his second label but the wine in the bottle is a good indicator of what he can do with this grape.  The nose shows classic Pinot Noir notes of raspberry and cherry, with lots of earthiness and lovely toasty oak.  The mouth explodes with blueberry, Bing cherry, anise and toast.  Even more striking is the depth and richness of the mouth-feel. The wine is very fruity, with blackberry characters and a big, rich, tarry and solid balance. The warm mantle of oak is refined and quite opulent.

2001 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
Special price 24.99
The history of Freemark Abbey began in 1886, when Josephine Marlin Tychson became the first woman to build and operate a winery in California.  The historic site where Josephine’s winery, Tychson Cellars, once stood is now known as Freemark Abbey. The 2001 Cabernet displays nuances of dark cherry and nicely-integrated oak with a background of black currant and cassis.  It has a very fruitful entry, is crisp, with a long finish, and promises a long life of enjoyment.

2006 August Briggs Zinfandel, Old Vine, Napa
Special price 27.00
Owner August “Joe” Briggs started out as a Pinot Noir specialist first at Alpine Vineyards in Oregon and then at La Crema in Sonoma County.  In 2002 Joe located a small parcel of land on the southern edge of Calistoga, and built a simple but state-of-the-art winery there that is his home today. This Zin is very fragrant with rose, perfume, and black cherry as well as hints of leather and cedar. On the palate it is flashy and expressive with flavors of wild berries, currant, and mocha. The finish is long and chocolaty.  This is classic California Zin from two old and venerable vineyards in Napa Valley.

Saturday, April 4, 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

Founded as a vineyard company in 1973, Sonoma-Cutrer’s foundation was built upon a selection of several key vineyard properties in the marginal benchlands, hillsides and rocky foothills in what later became recognized as the Sonoma Coast Appellation, an area with long, even growing seasons due to the cool and foggy coastal climate.  Initially, the company planted several different grape varieties.   By the end of the ’70s, Sonoma-Cutrer’s Chardonnay grapes had a reputation for exceptional quality and were in great demand by premium wineries.  It was not long before the idea for a winery was floated and eventually built, under the guidance of some of Sonoma County’s finest winemakers and growers.  Ground was broken for a new winery in 1981.  Today, Sonoma-Cutrer’s flagship wine, Russian River Ranches, is the number-one-selling Chardonnay in America’s finest restaurants according to the annual Wine & Spirits magazine.  Lisa Wherry, of Youngs Market Company, and I welcome this opportunity to bring you this interesting side by side tasting event of this fine company’s wines.

2006 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Russian River Ranches
19.99
Russian River Ranches is a cuvée crafted from several estate vineyards, each contributing its own distinct personality. The gentle elevation, moderate temperatures and fine sandy clay loam of Vine Hill make it ideal for growing Chardonnay. Owsley Ranch stands closest to the Pacific and is influenced by cooling fog pushing through Bloomfield Gap each day. The soils at Shiloh reflect an ancient seabed and volcanic ash that changed the topography eons ago, while Les Pierres is situated atop an old rock quarry that imparts a flinty mineral character.  Vines rooted in clay at Kent Vineyard are cooled morning and night by fog, allowing for extended maturation, while the vines at the Cutrer Vineyard struggle through soils marked by the eruptions of Mt. St. Helena.  Pretty aromas of jasmine and rose petal give way to tropical fruits like pineapple and mango. Roasted hazelnut joins nougat and almond butter, finishing with a touch of lime and lychee. Medium-weight and clean with a wonderful acid backbone, the wine expands in the glass, offering up grapefruit, lemon, pear and kumquat with subtle vanilla bean and herbal mushroom.  The lingering finish displays hints of minerality, along with apple, lime and a surprising kiss of strawberry.

2005 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
23.50
Distinct aromas of ginger and lemon zest are joined by toasty coconut, melon and caramel alongside a mineral, flinty cedar chest oakiness overlaid by notes of honeysuckle.  Well-balanced with a solid acid backbone, the wine is rich and medium-heavy with a broad, yet firm, mid-palate.  The long, lingering finish displays a touch of spice and lively acidity.  Flavors of lemon, apple, pear, pineapple and cantaloupe, join a nutty, spicy, lightly oaky profile.

2004 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, The Cutrer
29.95
Planted on what was once an ocean floor, The Cutrer Vineyard stands hardly a dozen miles from the Pacific shore.  Intense aromas of ripe apple are dotted with cinnamon and clove, as hazelnuts bathed in cream join fragrant notes of acacia blossoms.  In the mouth, the wine is dense and concentrated, while simultaneously offering a softer, sensual side.  Flavors of baked apple appear alongside glazed pineapple and fresh tangerine, as a hint of clove entertains the taste buds.  The wine is in perfect balance given its backbone of acidity.

2004 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Les Pierres
36.50
Sitting atop gravelly clay loam in an ancient riverbed thick with cobblestone, Les Pierres enjoys a long growing season, allowing for full maturation and ripening, by virtue of the daily fog shroud from San Pablo Bay.  Full of deep, complex flavors that speak to the leanness of the soil, and the cool weather ripening and maturation, the wine displays distinct aromas of spice and lemon-lime over a pronounced flinty mineral backbone typical of the vineyard.  Signature flavors of green apple and lemon evolve to dried lemon peel and lime zest, while floral notes recall acacia flowers.  A broad mid-palate reveals a touch of spun honey.  Judicious oak aging and fermentation impart a hint of fresh-baked bread crust.  The wine’s structure is firm, focused and elegant, and the remarkably long finish is classic Les Pierres: tight, lemon-mineral, extending with great acidity.

2005 Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
32.00
This wine is not shy.  Aromas of black cherry and currants leap from the glass, quickly followed by notes of cedar and allspice.  A strong floral component marries the fruit bouquet, while leaving room for the subtle influence of the new French oak. In the mouth the first impression is all berries, with raspberry, blueberry and blackberry all enjoying a turn.

Saturday, February 28, 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 will be devoted to Steele Winery of Lake County, and the marvelous wines made by Jed Steele, Kendal-Jackson’s former winemaker.  Garvey Daniels of American Wines and Spirits will be here to pour and discuss the wine styling of this Lake County winery.  Last year, Jed completed his 40th year of winemaking in California and he is still going strong.  He was the starting winemaker for Edmeades in the Anderson Valley, and, after 10 years, started Kendal-Jackson where he remained for 9 years; he left the year K-J broke the million cases per year production mark.  The winery is located on Highway 29 between Lakeport and Kelseyville, close to Clear Lake, the largest natural lake in California.

2005 Steele Chardonnay, DuPratt Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge
19.99
DuPratt is a small mountain vineyard in southwestern Mendocino County at 1200 feet of elevation.  This is part of the Mendocino Ridge Appellation where it is the elevation which marks the boundaries rather than other features.  Rainfall here can exceed 60 inches per year.  Most famous for its 80-year-old Zinfandel vines, DuPratt has five acres of Chardonnay planted in 1983.  This is a “mountain” wine in the sense that it has great backbone, acidity and structure.  It is always the last Chardonnay to be harvested in any vintage.  A mineral quality and long finish frame aromas of pear and citrus.

2006 Steele Chardonnay, Goodchild Vineyard, Santa Barbara Co.
19.99
Steele’s entire single vineyard designated Chardonnays are 100% barrel fermented in French Oak barrels.  Goodchild Vineyard sits across the Sisquoc River from Bien Nacido and is a few more miles inland.  It is a younger vineyard planted on the site of the old Goodchild land grant, which originally occupied thousands of acres on the south side of the river.  Being further from the ocean and tucked behind some low hills, it is warmer than Bien Nacido and is harvested a week or so earlier.  This wine shows the same tropical fruit aromas and flavors that are typical of Santa Barbara fruit.

2006 Steele Chardonnay, Durell Vineyard, Carneros
19.99
Durell Vineyard is in a warmer location as the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains surround it and just at the northern boundary of the Carneros Appellation.  This protection makes this vineyard less windy which also helps ripening.  The Durell Chardonnay is harvested 10-14 days prior to harvesting the grapes from the famous Sangiacomo Vineyard, though they are only two miles apart.  The Durell combines the citrus and pear aromas and is a reserved and austere wine.

2005 Steele Zinfandel “Writer’s Block”, Lake County
11.95
A medium to full bodied red wine showing its varietal characters of red fruit, spice, clove, herbal tea, and bramble with approachable aromatics that open quickly in the glass.  The aromatics are complex, and move from red fruit to green herb and some bramble.  Some toasted oak, to citrus transitions occur fairly quickly.  A supple mouth-feel shows bright fruit flavor transitioning into an accentuated finish with bright acidity and some spice.  Significant tannins on the finish are texturally good and young.  The prolonged after-taste increases as the wine continues to breathe.

2005 Steele Cabernet Franc, Clear Lake
12.50
While Steele is not known as a Bordeaux/Cabernet kind of winery (it tends to make more Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel) its location in Lake County allows for the production of several interesting varietals such as Cabernet Franc.  When Jed started buying grapes from the vineyard of Floyd Silva he found what he thought was some of the best Cabernet Franc that he had ever tasted.  The vineyard is on a gravelly bench, which overlooks the Big Valley area of Lake County.  The vines grow well but not too well and have a great balance of flavors, structure and tannins.

2006 Steele Zinfandel, Pacini Vineyard, Mendocino, Old Vine
16.99
The Pacini Family planted this vineyard in 1940 on the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains in Mendocino County.  This beautiful old vineyard is head-pruned as are most Zinfandel vineyards of the era.  Steele Wines purchased the vineyard in 1996 from the Pacini Family.  Since then they have been refurbishing the vineyard and replacing vines in the positions where the old vines have died back.  The limited water supply at this location prevents them from irrigating which, in turn, contributes to the intense flavors and aromas in this Zinfandel.

Saturday, August 23, 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, 800-925-0030

Let’s sample some of the more popular white wine varietals this Saturday and reacquaint ourselves with the differing elements of each.  No doubt you have had all these flavors, but can you describe that which makes them unique from each another?  Our tasting parties provide that opportunity to inform while in the act of indulging.  Not a bad thing, and an excellent way to kick off Saturday evening.

2007 Forest Glen Pinot Grigio, California
5.99
This wine is pleasingly crisp, fresh and delicately fruity with aromas of apricots and peaches, and with good body, crisp acidity, and a delicate wave of fruit flavors through to the finish.  It represents great value for a wine that suggests aperitif service and partners well with seafood, chicken and veal dishes.

2006 Rock Rabbit Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast
8.99
This Sauvignon Blanc receives no oak contact and reflects the fresh, crisp, ripe flavors of pure fruit.  It is rather on a par with the previous wine in that it highlights the apricot and peach part of the bouquet and flavor spectrum.  The citrus component veers toward lemon and supports the “crisp” characterization of the wine.

2007 Badger Mountain Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Washington
9.99
Badger Mountain’s vineyard is certified organic; no chemical herbicides, insecticides, fungicides or synthetic fertilizers are used in their vineyard.  This works well for those wine lovers who get a nasty reaction to sulfites.  Absolutely none is allowed on the property, so the only sulfites in the wine are naturally occurring—hardly measurable.  Pretty pear and Granny Smith apple fruit aromas and a hint of mineral compliment an intriguing floral character.  The crisp, balanced mouth feel is filled with flavors of Granny Smith apple, green pear, baking spices, and a hint of minerals.  The surprisingly long finish of apple, pears, and sweet oak is enhanced by the typical crisp acidity found in Washington State Chardonnay.

2005 Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc, Sonoma County
9.99
Pinot Blanc is a genetic mutation of Pinot Grigio, which in turn is a mutation of Pinot Noir.  Even Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier are members of this family.  Pinot Blanc is similar to Chardonnay, but is more delicate in its flavor and bouquet profile and moves away from apples towards pears.  This wine was fermented in stainless, but then received a few months of French oak.  The fruit was sourced from Russian River Valley and southern Sonoma Valley.  It has an aroma of juicy melon, banana, and limey citrus.  It is light-bodied, and the tart citrus and fruit flavors are crisp and palate cleansing.

2006 Orchid Hill Viognier, Paso Robles
17.95
Orchid Hill is a 51 acre vineyard located on sloping limestone hills in the Templeton Gap area of the west side of Paso Robles Wine Country.  The wine has a rich aromatic perfume of exotic scents.  It is rich, but well balanced with acid, and offers up fresh flavors of peach, mango and fruit cocktail.

2006 Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer, Reserve, Alsace, France
14.99
The vineyards of Alsace date back to the Roman Empire.  During the middle age, the wines from this area were highly regarded and shipped all over Europe.  Most of the vineyards stretch over the eastern foothills of the Vosges Mountains which rise out of the broad plain of the Rhine to form a natural barrier between Alsace and the rest of France.  In recent centuries the area has ping-ponged back and forth between France and Germany, depending upon who won the last war.  Inhaling this wine is like smelling a bouquet of roses along with exotic fruits.  It is rich, fleshy and semi-dry and displays depth and persistence and a lasting finish.  The grapes come from 28 year old vines and produce a wine that fares well with rich spicy dishes, duck & turkey, Asian food, strong cheeses and fruit tarts.

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, April 5, 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

Join us this Saturday to meet with John Arnold, one of the owners of J. Lohr Winery, to discuss the history of the winery and its progenitor, Jerry Lohr. In 1972 and 1973, Jerry planted 280 acres of wine grapes in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey County, and in 1974 completed his winery in San Jose. In 1988, property near Paso Robles was purchased, now encompassing 2,000 acres of vineyards, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other red varietals, and an adjacent winery and barrel facility was built. Also in 1988, Jerry began expansion of his vineyards in the Arroyo Seco, which now includes 900 acres. There are two tasting rooms; one in San Jose and one in Paso Robles.

2005 J. Lohr Chardonnay, Rivesrstone, Arroyo Seco
$9.99
This marks the twentieth year of production of the Riverstone Chardonnay from the vineyards in the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County. The result is a complex and nuanced Chardonnay with an abundance of Arroyo Seco fruit, with subtle barrel fermentation and malolactic character. All the wine was barrel fermented in a combination of French and American oak at 55 to 65°F. 60% of Chardonnay went through malolactic fermentation in barrel. After blending, the wine was aged 9 months in combined French and American oak. This is a great price!

2005 J. Lohr Chardonnay, October Night, Arroyo Seco
$23.50
The vineyard producing the grapes for this wine is comprised largely of Dijon Clone, known also as the Musqué Clone, which produces a very distinctive and attractive, sometimes powerful floral character. The grapes are harvested and pressed at night then fermented in new and second year French oak barrels. Another 6 months of aging in neutral French oak barrels and the wine is bottled. It is lush, aromatic and full bodied and reluctant to leave after a long finish.

2007 J. Lohr Valdiquie, Arroyo Seco
$7.99
Originally thought to be the Gamay Noir grape of France’s Beaujolais winegrowing region, U.C. Davis has since identified this grape to be Valdiguié from an area in the southwest of France. Regardless of its origin and identity, Valdiguié grown in the windy, cold Arroyo Seco produces a wine reminiscent of the ‘Crus’ of Beaujolais: Morgon, Fleurie and Moulin-a-Vent. The wine displays enticing berry fruit flavors with a vibrant acidity and soft tannins.

2005 J. Lohr Zinfandel, Old Vines, Paso Robles
$14.95
The twisted and gnarled 30-year old Zinfandel vines of the Pleasant Valley ranch, located east of Paso Robles in the Estrella Hills, are characterized by more of the jammy fruit spectrum of berry flavors and aromas. The wine’s aroma is characterized by Zinfandel’s spicy red fruits with blackberry and raspberry complimented by licorice and black tea spice. The palate has a soft, plump texture with mid-palate weight.

2006 J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon, Seven Oaks, Paso Robles
$13.50
An abundance of dark cherry, black currant and berry fruit greets the nose, enhanced by spicy cedar, vanilla and toasty notes. On the palate, the fruit follows through with full weight and a lingering intensity and balance from the tannins. This wine is ready to be enjoyed now, or be cellared for 5 years.

2003 J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon, Carol’s Vineyard, Napa
$35.00
This Cab has dark red color with excellent depth. The aroma is dominated by cherry and currant fruit with hints of vanilla and spice coming from the well-seasoned oak. On the palate, the fruit is again dominant from the front to rear palate. The tannins are soft, but complement the full palate and add substance to the finish and length of the wine. The high ratio of Petit Verdot fruit (15%) enhances the wine’s breadth but also ensures that it ages well for the next 15 years.

Saturday, March 22, 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

Although many varietals would pleasantly support an Easter dinner, I thought it would be instructive to choose one varietal, Chardonnay, and offer a stylistic comparison. There are many ways to render a varietal; light to heavy and delicate to bombastic. Here is a line-up of Chards that will provide balancing accompaniment to most menus, especially if the meal is being served midday, with temperatures in the eighties.
The following week we go to France for a visit to Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Ventoux, Loire and Bandol. Paul Chatterton will be here representing import company Maisons Marques & Domaines.

2006 Pavilion Chardonnay, Napa
$9.99
The wines for Pavilion are crafted by Brian Mox and Larry Levin, both who are among the most experienced winemakers in the Napa Valley. Their resumes include a who’s who of Napa giants. This wine was barrel aged in French oak and shows aromas of pear, vanilla, and toasty oak with hints of white peach. Ripe fruit flavors of pear, caramel apple and melon lead to a long soft lingering finish. The balance of this lush medium bodied wine makes it a pleasure to savor on its own or enjoy with a wide variety of foods.

2006 Tormaresca Chardonnay, Puglia, Italy
$9.99
The vineyard for this wine lies near the Adriatic Sea off of Italy’s heel. The name itself refers to the towers that line the coast. The grapes are fermented in barriques, after inoculation with a special yeast, and then allowed to proceed with the malolactic fermentation. After ageing for about 3 more months in barrique, the wine is moved to Inox tanks at a controlled temperature, where it goes through the fining process until ready for bottling. The fruit element is towards the exotic end of the spectrum, but with good minerality and bracing acid. Citrus, pear and pineapple notes round out the experience.

2006 Edna Valley Chardonnay, Paragon, San Luis Obispo Co.
$9.99
Edna Valley uses the processes of barrel fermentation, malolactic fermentation, lees stirring and aging in new oak barrels to achieve the desired balance. The wine has 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. Serves well with creamy pastas, baked sea bass, seared scallops, roast chicken with lemon and herbs and, yes, roasted pork as well.

2006 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Sonoma
$13.99
The fruit for this blend is sourced from three vineyards. The lion’s share came from their Sonoma Coast vineyards with their Los Carneros Vineyard on the home ranch providing much of the rest. A small lot of grapes come from Knight’s Valley, the warmest Sonoma County appellation, to complement the cool area grapes. After cold fermentation and settlement, the wine bypasses oak contact and proceeds directly to bottle. Pears and grapefruits are the dominant characteristics of this flavorful and medium-bodied Chardonnay. Serve with grilled salmon or roasted chicken.

2004 Steele Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Barbara
$19.95
In 1991, Jed Steele made the decision to produce his own label and is now entering his fifth decade as part of the California wine business. Bien Nacido is a well-known vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. The wines are typical of Santa Barbara with lots of tropical fruit aromas and flavors. The wine received a 92-point rating from Wine Enthusiast Magazine: “Plenty of richness here, mangoes, pineapple custard, Key lime pie, not to mention smoky, caramelly, butterscotchy oak, but there’s also a streamlined, sleek minerality that leaves a lip-smacking steely feeling behind. Part of that is acidity. Really fine wine.”

2005 Byron Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley
$19.95
The wine was 100% barrel fermented with 100% malolactic fermentation. Additional layers of complexity were achieved through sur lie aging and weekly hand stirring of the barrels known as batonage. This wine combines vibrant fruit character with a rich texture and a silky finish. Aromas of orange blossom, pear and hazelnut are accented by hints of mineral and toasty oak. On the palate, the wine is well balanced with traces of peach, mandarin orange and toasty spice with a long, lingering finish.