Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, January 7, 2012
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

Our wine tasting events in January will be limited to the first Saturday and the last Saturday, as in between, we will be on vacation. This Saturday we will be pouring some interesting wines that have arrived here recently from south of the equator. I enjoy the crisp whites from South Africa and for reds Argentina and Chile cannot be beat. Join us for a great way to kick off the New Year or, at least, a great way to kick off Saturday night.

2010 Fleur du Cap Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa

List price 9.99; our price 7.99

The wine is brilliantly clear and lime green in color with golden highlights. On the nose it teems with herbaceousness and ample green pepper ending with whiffs of rich melon and guava. This medium bodied wine has a crisp acidity which complements the tropical fruit flavors perfectly on the palate. It is the ideal accompaniment to seafood, steamed vegetables and poultry dishes.

2010 Fleur du Cap Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, S. Africa

List price 9.99; our price 7.99

This wine was aged in wood on the lees for only 4 months in order to maintain its fresh crispness. On the nose it displays citrus fruit and melon with a hint of vanilla oak in the background. On the palate it is dry but rounded and packed with apricot and citrus fruit, supported by lovely nut and vanilla oak. It works well with seafood and poultry whether grilled or served in a white creamy sauce.

2010 Apaltagua Pinot Noir Reserva, Curico, Chile

List price 14.00; our price 11.99

The grapes come from Apaltagua’s own vineyard in Tricao in the Curico Valley. This Pinot emphasizes aromas of cherries and raspberries well combined with soft notes of oak. In the mouth it has smooth and elegant tannins that finish soft and delicate for a sophisticated finish. It serves well with Salmon and white meats, especially in red sauces.

2009 Apaltagua Malbec Reserva, Curico, Chile

List price 14.00; our price 11.99

Grown on low ridges at the foot of the coastal mountain range in Maule Valley, this well structured Malbec stands out as a robust and velvety wine with red fruit flavors, such as cherries mingled with plums, truffles and a touch of pepper. It is perfect for grilled red meats and roasts.

2010 Apaltagua Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Curico, Chile

List price 14.00; our price 11.99

This Cabernet Sauvignon, from an excellent vintage, and has a nose of berries with hints of tobacco and dark chocolate. The bouquet is a precursor of what is to be experienced in the mouth, coupled with a ripe stone fruit character. This wine received minimal handling before bottling to preserve its unique body and flavors. This is a nice wine for prime rib with a sane amount of horseradish.

2007 Kaiken “Ultra” Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina

List price 18.95; our price 14.99

After coating your glass with an opaque purple color, the wine displays an expressive nose of cedar, spice box, black currant and blackberry. Full-bodied on the palate, it has spicy flavors along with good structure, and depth. Eighty percent of this wine was aged in French oak for 12 months which gives it a sophisticated character and a delightfully long after-taste. It received a 90-point rating from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. This is your wine for a steak dinner.

Saturday, September 10, 2011
4 to 5:30 pm

Enjoy an additional 10% discount by attending today.

$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

Show up this Saturday to sample the new vintages from Root: 1 Winery of Chile and enjoy an additional10% discount on all the wines being poured for your tasting enjoyment. Saturday’s selection of reds including the Montes Winery and the Casa Silva are from the warmer Colchagua Valley, the whites are from the cooler Casablanca Valley (think Carneros in California). Chilean and Argentinean wines continue to pave the way for good value wines, that is, low priced wines that are a pleasure to drink. In other words, quality need not be sacrificed in the protection of your expendable income. All this has mad Chile the fifth largest exporter of wine in the world and the ninth largest producer. Hopefully, our summer heat spell will have broken by Saturday, so there will be no excuses for not attending.

2010 Root: 1 Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley

List price 10.99; our price 9.99; today only 8.99

The aromas are a concentration of tropical fruit and lemon-lime notes. The wine has good acidity with fresh lime and grapefruit, balanced by a soft minerality on the palate. Look for green apple freshness and some grassy herbaceousness. It is bright and crisp with rich fruit expression, and an elegant finish. Works well with a range of lighter styled dishes.

2008 Root: 1 Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley

List price 10.99; our price 9.99; today only 8.99

The cool coastal vineyards of the Casablanca Valley deliver bright, citrus flavors and characteristic Casablanca acidity while the granite soil imparts hints of minerality and complexity to the final blend. This is an expressive and balanced Chardonnay with melon, honey and toasted hazelnut flavors. Use as an apéritif or with light pasta, grilled seafood, chicken or salad dishes.

2009 Root: 1 Carmenère, Colchagua Valley

List price 10.99; our price 9.99; today only 8.99

The Root:1 wines are made from grapes grown on their original, ungrafted rootstock, which is pretty normal in Chile but quite rare elsewhere, especially in Europe, which was devastated in the late 1800’s by the root louse, phylloxera. Chile and Argentina do not suffer from this nasty critter. The wine shows dark berries and mocha on the nose, augmented by a subtle smoky quality and a touch of cracked pepper. It is round and fleshy, displaying some dark fruit flavors though no rough edges; in fact it finishes smooth.

2009 Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley

List price 10.99; our price 9.99; today only 8.99

This rich blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah shows intense aromas of red fruits and cassis. Soft notes of plum and blackberry are followed by a hint of vanilla. Abundant flavors of ripe cherries and plums up front are supported by balanced acidity, soft tannins and good structure. It is full-bodied with a long and concentrated finish accented by fruit and vanilla notes. Perfect with grilled steak, spicy pork or chicken dishes, and savory garlic or pepper flavors. Pair this wine with ripe cheeses, or even with dark chocolate or rich, creamy desserts.

2009 Montes Cabernet/Carmenère, Colchagua Valley

List price 15.99; our price 13.50; today only 11.99

This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Carménerè opens with butterscotch, subtle spice, and integrated vanilla notes. It is an opaque, glass-coating wine exhibiting black fruits, spice and leather. Parker gives it 90 points.

2007 Casa Silva Petit Verdot, Gran Reserva, Colchagua Val.

List price 19.95; our price 16.75; today only 14.99

At the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London in 2000 the Silva family was voted “Best South American Producer”. The family, now in its 4th and 5th generations, picked up a 90 point rating from Parker’s Wine Advocate for this wine. The grape comes from Bordeaux where it is used to add structure to the great Chateau wines. It tastes of blackberry and currant with cinnamon overtones. The balance of tannins and acidity in its structure rises to a long finish

Saturday, August 6, 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

No matter where you may be in the world today, your main vinous desire would be for something lighter, fresher and easier to drink. It is simply too hot for our favorite rich and heavy wines (except, of course, for the hard-core among us). With that in mind we are putting together some tasting events featuring wines from countries around the globe with the emphasis on summer use. The six countries we are visiting this week are:

Portugal: Aliança Vinho Verde

List price 8.95; our price 7.99

Vinho Verde is the name of the northern wine producing region of Portugal and is mostly synonymous with the fresh, crisp, slightly spritzy wine that accounts for 25% of all wine produced in Portugal. It is typically 8-10% alcohol and has a refreshing acidity. The grapes used in the blend include Trajadura, Pederña, Loureiro and Alvarinho. Aliança tends towards luscious flavors of lemon meringue pie. The granitic soil, the climactic conditions and the grape varieties of the region give this famous wine its special characteristics of crisp fruit, flinty minerality and delicate aroma. Lightness and freshness make this low alcohol crisp white wine ideal by itself and as a perfect complement to seafood, hors d’oeuvres, chicken and veal. Try it with stir fry’s, spicy dishes and oysters, or any other shell fish.

South Africa: 2009 Stellar Organics Chardonnay, Western Cape

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

Stellar Winery, South Africa’s largest producer of fine organic wines, processes organically-grown grapes for the South African and export markets. The grapes are drawn from farms from the Western Cape hamlet of Trawal. This is an area famous for its spring flowers and is also the only semi-arid biosphere hotspot in the world. The winery is privately owned, with the workers having a 26% shareholding in the cellar. This is a lightly-wooded wine with a complex spicy, fruity nose and a fresh, citrus-like acidity on the palate. The back label is marked “Vegan friendly” whatever that means.

California: 2009 Conundrum

List price 22.00; our price 19.99

From year to year this is a blend of popular and esoteric white grapes including in no special order: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier and Muscat. The “puzzle” of Conundrum lies partly in guessing the range of grape varieties used, because the Caymus family never reveals the exact composition. It is a quintessential sipper offering copious amounts of ripe, silky fruit, tropical in nature, along with vanilla notes, honeysuckle and honeydew melon. The complexity of this wine is brought into balance with a rich, round, soft texture; and fresh, supportive acidity.

France: 2009 Joseph Drouhin Brouilly, Beaujolais

List price 20.00; our price 17.99

Beaujolais Cru is the northern most appellation of Beaujolais, close to the Mâconnais border. This region constitutes ten separate areas, of which Brouilly is the largest, located at the foothills of the Beaujolais Mountains and produces some of the best quality wines from the Beaujolais region. Unlike the early drinking style found throughout most of Beaujolais, these wines are made to be cellared. Their ageing potential can be anywhere from three to fifteen years (or more) depending on the style and sub-region of the wine. The nose of this wine shows aromas of violet, lilac, sometimes blackberry and cranberry. It has supple tannins and lively acidity. On the palate, the wine leaves a pleasant note of blackberries and spice.

Chile: 2009 Terra Andina Carmenère, Valle Central

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

This bottling is100% Carmenère, the “lost” grape of Bordeaux. It is a tasty blend of black currant, blackberry, grilled red pepper and black pepper, in the nose and on the palate. The wine shows balance and softness with silky tannins and a pleasant finish. Black pepper, blackberries and oak round out the flavor profile. Grapes are sourced throughout the Central Valley.

Spain: 2006 Castillo Real Monastrell, Bullas

List price 9.99; our price 8.99

The Bullas appellation in the south-eastern part of Spain, south of Valencia, is known for its Monastrell (Mourvèdre in France or Mataro in Italy). The grapes are grown in limestone soil through long, hot summer days and cool nights, resulting in a ripe, fruit-forward, and concentrated wine with a subtle mineral character.

Saturday, July 16, 2011
4 to 5:30 pm

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

Today only receive an extra 10% discount!

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

Wine sales in the desert are at their lowest in the summer and so, too, are purchases on our part. However, we do need to eliminate stock on hand in order to be prepared for the fall releases. The purchasing at that time can best be described as frenzied. At that time, all is being readied for the holiday period to follow. In other words, the significant process I am trying to convey begins now. Additional sell-offs will continue through the summer and at extra discounts. For those of you willing to brazen out the hyper-heat months here, there should be some small reward. Besides, wine tastings are fun.

Rex Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon, California

List price 7.99; our price 5.99; today only 5.39

This is not a bad “cheapie” wine. Although it is not a wine we typically carry, it was worth doing it once and taking advantage of a solid value low cost bottle. It is smooth, with a nice fruity bouquet and flavor, along with a bit of wood in the finish. Yes…not bad at all.

2008 Piola Cabernet Sauvignon, Suisun Valley, CA

List price 8.95; our price 6.99; today only 6.29

This Cab and the one following are from Mankas Hills Vineyard, which we featured some months back. We have continued to purchase their Cabernets because they simply offer great value. The winery and vineyards are just over the hills from Napa Valley and the grapes are quite good. The round tannins, the elegant balance of flavors and aromas, and the mild exposure to oak makes this wine ideal for every day meals. Drink it slightly cool. The wine picked up two Silver Medals: LA County Fair and Pacific Rim Competition.

2006 Mankas Cabernet Sauvignon, Suisun Valley, CA

List price 13.00; our price 9.99; today only 8.99

Here is a wide fruit profile harmonizing with smooth round tannins. Notes of raspberries, black cherries and blueberries blend well with soft vanilla, eucalyptus, and black pepper tones creating an enjoyable balance of aromas and flavors. This is an excellent food wine offered at a great price. It, like its sibling above, picked up a couple of medals but is a bigger wine with some added age to smooth out all the rough edges.

2009 Toro de Piedra Cabernet Sauv., Colchagua Val., Chile

List price 13.95; our price 11.50; today only 9.99

Besides the Cab, this winery makes an excellent Chardonnay for the same price. Unhappily, the vintage is a goner. Still the Cab remains and shines like a beacon to attract our attention to really good wine at a super price. The wine rated 88 points from stingy Steven Tanzer: “Opaque ruby. Deep, youthfully primary aromas of blackberry, cassis, licorice and wood smoke. Open-knit dark fruit flavors show good depth and are complemented by notes of tarragon and dark chocolate. Slow to open, but the fruit is well-concentrated; the finish clings with good, peppery bite and intensity.”

2008 Molly Dooker Cabernet, The Maitre D’, Australia

List price 24.95; our price 19.99; today only 17.99

I’ll let Robert Parker rhapsodize over this Cab being offered to you at a great price. 90 points from Wine Advocate: “The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, The Maitre D’, was raised in 50% new French and American oak for 11 months. Opaque purple-colored with legs that ooze down the glass, it displays a reticent bouquet that with coaxing reveals wood smoke, violets, black currant and blackberry. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with a glossy texture, succulent fruit, and excellent concentration. This pleasure bent effort can be enjoyed over the next 6-8 years.”

2006 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon, Celestus, Paso Robles

List price 39.95; our price 29.99; today only 26.99

Blended in with this wonderful Cab are Syrah (15%) and Petit Verdot (5%). IWC gives it 91pts: The wine opens with lush aromas of dark fruits, licorice and pencil that lead to an integrated and satiny mid-palate accentuated by the French oak. This wine is full bodied and the predominance of Syrah imparts it with hints of lavender, sage, wild thyme and dark cherry.

Saturday, June 25, 2011
4 to 5:30 pm

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited against purchase of the featured wines below
Today only receive an extra 10% discount!

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

Sauvignon Blanc may not be as well known as Chardonnay but it is certainly as versatile. The spectrum of aromas and tastes begins with grassiness, that is, herbaceousness. It is typically crisp showing good acidity with hints of stone fruit and melon. Some producers allow four to six months of wood contact to add complexity, and this can be interesting. The Sauternes area of Bordeaux makes the fabulous dessert wines from this grape, frequently blended with the companion grape, Semillon. This Saturday we will focus on the straight forward delivery of the grape to the fresh and easy styling of the wines selected from around the world.

2010 LaPlaya Sauvignon Blanc, Colchagua Valley, Chile

List price 7.99; our price 6.99; today only 6.29

In the nose the wine shows floral aromas with lime citrus and a hint of honeydew melon. The lemon-lime citrus is at the front of the flavor experience with the typical grassiness following. It is bright and crisp, exhibiting some minerality and a lively acidity. The wine was aged for 3 months in stainless steel.

2010 Riebeek Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Swartland, S. Africa

List price 11.95; our price 9.99; today only 8.99

Made in a definite herbaceous style, this Sauvignon Blanc also offers hints of green apples and tropical undertones of gooseberries that add fruit to the palate. Well-balanced with zesty acids, every glassful is fresh and crisp and perfect for warm summer days. It is very refreshing on its own and lovely with crisp salads, light seafood dishes and tapas. This is the wine to pair with steamed green asparagus.

2009 White Oak Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, CA

List price 14.99; our price 9.99; today only 8.99

Bill Myers moved from Los Angeles to the Alexander Valley in the 1970s and began making wine; he quickly became recognized for producing wonderful Chardonnay, Zinfandel and what was to become White Oak’s flagship wine: Sauvignon Blanc. It has typical grassy herbaceousness but performs more in the grapefruit genre. Even in the finish there is a slight expression of grapefruit bitterness. This is a very good food wine with a fresh, crisp finish. Stock this one.

2009 Robert Oatley Sauvignon Blanc, Pemberton, Australia

List price 15.00; our price 10.99; today only 9.89

The Pemberton wine region in Western Australia, almost 2,000 miles from Mudgee, provides the perfect growing conditions for Sauvignon Blanc. The elevated cool, maritime climate of this region maintains the core freshness and zesty aromatics of the variety. Separate parcels were harvested at various maturity stages to produce a mix of interesting flavors. The early harvest captures the crisp zesty core of the wine while a slightly later harvest builds an element of tropical fruit flavors. The use of selected aromatic yeasts and cool fermentation temperatures has produced a vibrant and refreshing wine. 90 point rating by Tasting Panel Magazine

2008 Domaine du Rochoy Sancerre, Loire Valley, France

List price 29.00; our price 25.50; today only 22.95

Domaine Rochoy sources the grapes from a single slope of flinty soils (called “Cailloux”) in the commune of Bannay. It is a finely textured wine, showing some gooseberry and tropical fruits and a sense of coolness also with savory spice and mouthwatering acidity. It has lovely purity, with vibrant, racy citrus peel, gooseberry and straw notes that stay persistent through the very long finish.

2010 Kim Crawford Sauv. Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

List price 17.99; our price 15.99; today only 14.39

This is a crisp and powerful, well balanced wine with intense aromas of gooseberry, passion fruit and citrus flavors. Look for upfront herbaceous aromas, backed by ripe fruit flavors of melon, passion fruit and crisp acidity. This light to medium bodied aromatic wine is a great match with salads, seafood and vegetarian dishes and perfectly acceptable to be enjoyed on its own! 89 points Wine Spectator: “Fragrant and tropical, displaying pineapple, grapefruit, dragon fruit and melon flavors. There’s a juicy acidity, with great persistence on the finish.”

Saturday, June 11, 2011
4 to 5:30 pm

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

Today only receive an extra 10% discount!

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

Marin-based Cabernet Corporation is not your typical wine importer. The company has been privately owned by the Axelsen family since its inception in 1980. Among its ownership holdings are the LaPlaya Winery (in a joint venture partnership with two Chilean partners, the Sutil and Errazuriz families. of Chile) the Don Rodolfo Winery of Argentina, the Belasco de Baquedano Winery of Argentina and others. Soren Axelsen had lived in Chile in the ’50s and recalled the great wines he was drinking there even back then. In 1987, when the Chilean political climate opened up significantly, Soren went to Chile as one of its first foreign investors.

2010 Viña La Playa Sauvignon Blanc, Colchagua Valley, Chile

List price 7.99; our price 6.99; today only 6.29

Colchagua Valley is home to Viña La Playa Winery & Hotel. Besides visiting a world-class vineyard, one can enjoy the Four-Star accommodations, beautifully situated on the banks of the Tinguiririca River, near Lake Rapel. In the nose the wine shows floral aromas with lime citrus and a hint of honeydew melon. The lemon-lime citrus is at the front of the flavor experience with the typical grassiness following. It is bright and crisp, exhibiting some minerality and a lively acidity. The age of the vines is 18 years, and the grape yield is 6.5 tons per acre. The wine was aged for 3 months in stainless steel.

2010 Viña La Playa Chardonnay, Colchagua Valley, Chile

List price 7.99; our price 6.99; today only 6.29

For lovers of “unoaked” Chardonnay this is a perfectly marvelous deal. A fresh, fruit-oriented nose suggests pears and peaches, while on the palate it is bright and full, boasting candied citrus and pears. The grapes are from the same 18 year old vineyard as the Sauvignon Blanc and the grape yield is held to 6 tons per acre. Stainless steel for 3 months.

2009 Viña La Playa Merlot, Colchagua Valley, Chile

List price 7.99; our price 6.99; today only 6.29

The grapes for this wine were planted 19 years ago and are allowed a yield of 5 tons an acre. The wine spends 8 months in stainless steel tanks, followed by 1 month with French and American oak. The aroma begins with briary black berry fruits, then introduces some meaty character and proceeds to dried citrus rind. In the mouth it is fruity and round, with soft tannins and a long, savory finish. The short period of oaking accentuates the fruity character of the wine.

2009 Viña La Playa Cabernet, Colchagua Valley, Chile

List price 7.99; our price 6.99; today only 6.29

The 18 year old vines yield 4.5 tons per acre. The Cab has an attractive, deep ruby red color. On the nose it is expressive and complex, displaying notes of candy, raisins, toast and tobacco. On the palate, it is round and robust, with an excellent structure, and hinting at mocha coffee in the flavorful, long finish. There is no wood ageing which goes to show how well a wine can display mature tannins that are the result of contact with seeds and skins, and not wood.

2010 Viña Cornejo Costas “Don Rodolfo” Malbec, Salta, Argentina

List price 12.00; our price 8.99; today only 7.99

This winery and vineyard in the Cafayate Valley is at 5900 feet which is a seriously high altitude. The winery is about 200 years old, making it the oldest winery in the valley, yet is endowed with state of the art facilities. The age of the vineyard is 20 years and the grapes are harvested by hand at 5 tons per acre. The wine is very fruity on the nose, with hints of plums, peppers and spices. It shows good volume in the mouth, is well structured and has a well-balanced finish. It was aged for 8 months in stainless steel.

2009 Belasco de Baquedano Malbec, “Llama”, Mendoza, Argentina

List price 12.95; our price 10.99; today only 9.89

This Mendoza vineyard goes back nearly 100 years and is a true expression of Andean old vine Malbec. The “Llama” explodes with flavors of black berries, ripe plums and robust spices. It is an elegant wine showing good balance and structure and a long rewarding finish. It was aged 6 months in French oak. Parker’s Wine Advocate gave it a 90-point rating: “Purple color; spicy black fruit and floral aromas, supple, easygoing, with incipient complexity.”

Saturday, May 21, 2011
4 to 5:30 pm

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

Today only receive an extra 10% discount,
while stock lasts.

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

Chile is well represented in the US with numerous brands offering several levels of mainstream varietals at good prices. The region has a long viticultural history dating to the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought Vitis Vinifera vines with them as they colonized the region. In the mid-19th century, French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were introduced. In the early 1980s, a renaissance began with the introduction of stainless steel fermentation tanks and the use of oak barrels for aging. Wine exports grew very quickly as quality wine production increased. The number of wineries has grown from 12 in 1995 to over 90 in 2007. Chile is now the fifth largest exporter of wines in the world, and the ninth largest producer. Cabernet Sauvignon leads with 39.1% of total production. Sauvignon Blanc is next with 14.3%. Merlot, Chardonnay, and Carmenère follow with 13.3, 11.2 and 8.7% of total production.

2008 Toro de Piedra Chardonnay, Curico Valley

List price 14.95; our price 11.99; today only 10.79

On the nose it is very intense with hints of pineapple, lemon, almond flowers and vanilla. Opening on the palate it shows a crisp acidity and is rich, round and creamy with flavors of baked apple, pear and spice. The wine has a long lingering finish while maintaining its freshness with notes of white fruits and vanilla.

2008 Puerto Viejo Cabernet Sauvignon, Curico Valley

List price 9.95; our price 7.99; today only 7.19

This Cab dwells at the lighter end of the spectrum showing hints of coffee, toasted almonds, licorice and cherries. On the palate this wine is upfront with mature tannins and a velvety texture. It has a persistent and harmonious finish and should prove a good everyday non-contemplative wine.

2010 Santa Carolina Pinot Noir, Maule Valley

List price 10.00; our price 8.99; today only 8.09

Red ruby in color, the Reserva Pinot Noir has aromas of raspberries and white pepper with a soft hint of oak. On the palate, this medium bodied wine shows ripe fruit characters that are well balanced with the harmonious acid.

2009 Terra Andina Carmenère, Central Valley

List price 12.00; our price 9.99; today only 8.99

Jammy red and dark berries show well on the nose, with gentle spiciness building in the glass. The wine is creamy and fruity, with vivid raspberry and blueberry flavors. The tannins are very mild and the acid balance keeps the wine lively. This is a pretty amazing bargain and extremely easy to drink.

2008 Root 1 Carmenère, Colchagua Valley

List price 11.95; our price 9.99; today only 8.99

The wine shows dark berries and mocha on the nose, augmented by a subtle smoky quality and a touch of cracked pepper. Round and fleshy, it displays slightly loose-knit dark fruit flavors but with no rough edges. It finishes smooth, with a modest persistence

2007 Casa Silva Petit Verdot, Colchagua Valley

List price 19.95; our price 16.75; today only 14.99

Wine Spectator Magazine gave this wine a 90+ rating: “The Silva family emigrated from France in the 1920’s bringing their winemaking expertise along. Deep ruby with blue hues. On the nose, fruity, fresh, with notes of black fruits and cinnamon. On the palate, very powerful, velvety, full, with firm tannins and an excellent balance between structure and acidity. Long finish.”

Saturday, March 12, 2011
4 to 5:30 pm

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited against 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

Argentine wines continue to amaze as great buys abound. So many new bottlings have arrived recently that we are scheduling a second look in as many weeks. Unique packaging and a move to organic-designated grapes are becoming part of the norm. This is a great opportunity to sample and discuss the state of the industry as it pertains to Argentina and to your wallet as well.

2009 Matthew Cain Yellow + Blue Torrontés, Cafayate, Salta

List price 11.95; our price 9.99/Liter

Cafayate is the high, sunny valley in the Salta province of Northern Argentina where the Torrontés grape grows so very well. In this case you can taste it in a wine like Yellow + Blue, which Matthew Cain sources from organically farmed vineyards and vinifies it with natural yeasts. In keeping with its “green” pedigree, it’s packaged in Tetra Pak cartons, which are far lighter than glass bottles and take up less room. This is a big plus if wine bottles do not fit well in your fridge, or if you are to carry some wine in your back-pack. This is a dry Torrontés with spicy yellow fruit and floral blossom aromas leading to a dry, clean palate. It is a very well made, tasty wine with good bracing acid.

2009 Matthew Cain Yellow + Blue Malbec, San Juan

List price 11.95; our price 9.99/Liter

Argentina’s San Juan Province is the country’s second largest wine-producing region, located approximately 2,000 feet above sea level near the Chilean border. The Tetra Pak packaging is interesting in that a case of wine in glass weighs 40 pounds and holds 9 liters of wine, whereas a case of Yellow+Blue weighs 26 pounds and holds 12 liters of wine. This earth-friendly, un-oaked Malbec is made from organically grown grapes, as well, and is hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts. It is medium bodied and dry, with medium acidity, light tannins, moderate intensity, and showing blackberry, plum, and raspberry fruits.

2009 Bodega Elena de Mendoza Red Blend, Mendoza

List price 9.95; our price 8.50

Bodega Elena de Mendoza is named after the family matriarch Elena Napoli, whose parents emigrated from Italy to the heart of Argentina’s wine country in the nineteenth century. The rich, smooth flavors of this wine are an interesting combination of Malbec, Syrah and Bonarda. With dried cherry characteristics, this plush, dark blend is ideal when served alongside barbecued meats.

2008 Filus Malbec Reserve, Mendoza

List price 18.00; our price 14.99

Contrary to other Argentine wineries, Filus Wines was conceived as a New World wine exporter from the beginning in 1997 and its products are made to meet new generation drinker preferences. Both the wine and packaging designing processes relay on targeting Australian and Californian wine drinkers, who are willing to taste new wines from exotic origins. This elegant Malbec is deep ruby red with violet tones and has an intense and bright bouquet with ripe fruit flavors of plums, red currants and raspberries. Ageing in French oak for 12 months enhances and adds complexity to the deep fruit character. The wine received a GOLD MEDAL at the Argentina Wine Awards in 2010.

2009 Bodega Colomé Amalaya Malbec, Valle Calchaqui, Salta

List price 20.00; our price 17.99

Bodega Colomé is owned by Donald Hess, the Swiss entrepreneur who founded Hess Collection wines. The wine is sourced from the highest known altitude Malbec vineyards, averaging 7,500 to 8,000 feet. Founded in 1831, Bodega Colomé is one of the oldest working wineries in Argentina. Amalaya is bright ruby colored and dense with a very fruity nose of red cherries, raspberries and spices. It has a fresh palate, and finishes with soft and round tannins. This vintage remains unrated, but the 2007 Amalaya received 91 points in the Wine Spectator.

FresitaSparkling Wine with Strawberry Infusion

List price 19.00; our price16.95

Well, the wine actually is made in Chile, but the strawberries, at least, are from Argentina. Fresita (“strawberries” in Spanish) is a unique product made from premium Chilean sparkling wine infused with hand picked strawberries from Patagonia and the Andes Mountains. Fresita is naturally produced and has no added sugar from 100% natural strawberry pulp. Enjoy it as an apéritif or dessert wine, for special occasions or to simply to unwind with friends.

Saturday, January 8, 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

Congratulations to all who have survived the past year as well as the holidays and are now emerging from the aftermath. It is time to get back on track with our weekly wine regimen as the bottles keep arriving and the wine keeps flowing. Fortunately, ours is an intellectual pursuit in an effort to better understand grape growing, wine making and sensory perception; and not just be looking for a buzz. The next Saturday, the 15th, we will host the Kenneth Volk Vineyards and winery representative, Mike Brown. The following Saturday, the 22nd, we will be joined by Deborah Ellis of Fess Parker Winery. Please engrave these dates into your memory or at least scratch them onto your calendar. These are great wineries deserving of our rapt attention.

2007 Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Blanc, Alcace, France

List price 14.95; our price 12.99

Schlumberger makes this wine with equal proportions of two grape varieties : Pinot Blanc and Pinot Auxerrois. It is a dry wine combining the freshness of one with the aromatic qualities of the other. It is quite close to Chardonnay and is well-balanced, dry and fresh on the palate, with very attractive, fine fruit. This Alsatian wine is known for its suppleness, its emphatic fruitiness and its ability to easily go with a large range of dishes.

2008 White Oak Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley

List price 14.95; our price 9.99

Bill Myers moved from Los Angeles to the Alexander Valley in the 1970s and began making wine; he quickly became recognized for producing wonderful Chardonnay, Zinfandel and what was to become White Oak’s flagship wine: Sauvignon Blanc. It has typical grassy herbaceousness but performs more in the grapefruit genre. Even in the finish there is a slight expression of grapefruit bitterness. This is a very good food wine with a fresh, crisp finish.

2009 Pedroncelli Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

When we hosted the Pedroncelli Winery a few months back, we did not include the Chardonnay, a shameful omission we will correct here and now. While the refreshing citrus, melon and tropical fruit aromas and flavors predominate, the blend of the stainless steel fermented and barrel fermented cuveees adds both fruit-forward qualities and complexity. The wine finishes clean, crisp and light.

2008 Puerto Viejo Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile

List price 9.00; our price 7.99

This wine remained on its lees for six months in stainless steel vats with micro-oxygenation and with French oak staves; 15 percent of the wine was aged eight months in French and American oak barrels. It is a well-done, affordable Cabernet with all the qualities with a black-fruit bouquet, and showing ripeness, depth and solid tannins in the mouth. The flavor profile of cola, blackberry and chocolate works just fine, and the finish is long and hints at bitter chocolate and cedar.

2007 Boutari Xinomavro, Naoussa Greece

List price 18.00; our price 15.99

Boutari Naoussa was the first Grecian bottled wine available in Greece (1879) and is the benchmark among Greece’s premium red wines. It has won many awards over the last 50 years both in Greece and internationally. It is also the #1 selling premium red wine from Greece worldwide. It has typically a rich bouquet of ripe red fruit, blackberry and plum, together with sun-dried tomato and the aromas derived from ageing: cinnamon and wood. It has a rich body, good balance and structure, with soft tannins in its finish.

2007 Estancia Meritage Reserve, Paso Robles

List price 20.00; our price 16.99

he blend in this Meritage is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot. It is a deep violet wine with crimson edges. The bouquet shows ripe black cherries, licorice, mountain herbs, mocha and fine integrated oak. It is thick, deep and explosive. Chocolate dipped black fruit is enveloped in rich sweet oak. The firm, structured, ripe tannins accompany a long, fruit driven finish.

Saturday, April 17, 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

Located on the western coast of South America and bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes to the East, the Chilean wine-growing climate is similar to that of California’s Napa Valley and Bordeaux.  Its wine industry is known for being consistently free of phylloxera, but political and economic unrest has brought its own source of disorder.  The recent establishment of a free market has resuscitated the wine industry, and significant investments have been made, switching the economic focus from domestic production to exports.  Chile produces roughly a quarter of the wine Argentina produces, and is known for single-varietal exports, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère and Chardonnay.  Our good friend, Mark Sullivan of Regal Wines, will be on hand Saturday to pour and discuss some of the fine bargains that fall in the under ten dollars category.  These wines may be inexpensive but they are great for drinking on an everyday basis.  The beauty of Chilean wine is truly the value one receives at the check-out counter.  I can’t imagine these wines being much cheaper in Chile itself.  “Una Ganga!”

2009 Cono Sur Viognier, Colchagua Valley

List price 8.99; our price 5.99

We have restocked this brand that was a big hit at an earlier event.  Sweet fruity notes of apricots, citrus and peaches combine with pleasant oak aromas.  Fresh and lively in mouth, this Viognier with concentrated stone fruits, is fresh, tasty, full and savory.  It has density and structure, with a good acidity level and nice persistence.  This is a well-suited wine for dishes that may seem hard to pair, such as sweet-and-sour preparations (glazed jam, Teriyaki sauce).  Other suggestions are spicy Chinese noodles with shrimps, pasta with peas, and crispy fried chicken.

2008 Viña Calina Chardonnay, Reserva, Valle de Casablanca

List price 10.00; our price 7.99

The 2007 Calina Chardonnay was one of the Wine Enthusiast’s Top Values for 2008, receiving a Best Buy designation.  The 2008 is every bit as good, possessing the characteristics every wine consumer is looking for.  It shows subtle aromas of butter, balanced by notes of citrus blossoms, green and red apples, white peach and melon.  The wine is velvety smooth on the palate with light oak flavors, good acidity, a crisp, long finish and a hint of minerality.

2007 Cono Sur “Bicycle” Carmenère, Colchagua Valley

List price 8.99; our price 5.99

This is a delicious and velvety Carmenère, which displays red fruit aromas combining perfectly with spicy hints.  It has good body and is tasty, juicy and enjoyable.  Due to its good structure and balanced acidity, it should drink well for 2 to 3 more years.  It’s a good choice for almost any type of meat.  Also, different kinds of pâté and cold cuts are a good option to begin with.  A few dishes that go great with this wine are meat stews, sautéed lamb chops, lentils or bean soups, and stuffed tacos or burritos.  As far as cheeses are concerned, it pairs well with blue cheeses, and hard ones like Asiago.

2008 Viña Calina Merlot, Reserva, Valle del Maule

List price 10.00; our price 7.99

This is a blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 1%Cabernet Franc.  It shows red berries, plums, black and red cherries and cedar on the nose.  The mid-palate is plump, plush and juicy with a dash of vanilla from the oak barrels.  The long finish is bolstered by mild tannins and balanced acidity.

2008 Viña Calina Carmenère, Reserva, Valle del Maule

List price 10.00; our price 7.99

The blend here is 80% Carmenère, 12% Merlot, 5% Syrah and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is proof that good wine gets made in the vineyards.  The color is dark and inky with deep purple hues.  The aromas are intense with ripe berries, smoked bacon notes, sweet cotton candy, spices and hints of vanilla.  The tannins are well-integrated, providing the underlying structure to support the wine’s opulent fruit.  The finish is medium-long and elegant with hints of oak spice.

2008 Viña Calina Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserva, Valle del Maule

List price 10.00; our price 7.99

This amazing Cabernet is a true expression of the Maule terroir.  Overall, 2008 was an excellent year with mild autumn temperatures that allowed the grapes to hang for an extended period  The blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot is dark red in color, and features ripe blackberries, cedar, spice, vanilla and cola in the nose.  A lush mid palate is backed up by firm tannins and a long finish.