Desert Wines and Spirits

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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, October 3, 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

Next Saturday we will enjoy the company of George Horn representing Classic Wines of California. Always the perfect gentleman, George will present his favorite wines to you and happily discuss his reasons why. He believes in cost-to-quality value which will prove apparent as you taste your way through the following flight. Whether the choices are from France, Argentina, Chile or California, the quest is the same: bang for the buck.

2008 Patianna Estate Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino

List price 15.95; our price 13.99

When patriarch Barney Fetzer died of a heart attack in 1981, his 11 children took over, growing the business from 200,000 cases a year to 2.2 million by 1992, the year Brown-Forman bought the name and its brands. They smartly kept the vineyards and split the pieces among themselves. In 1997 Patti Fetzer Burke laid claim to 126 acres in the Sanel Valley near Hopland, a pristine former pear ranch bordering a mile or so of the Russian River, already planted in spots to her beloved Sauvignon Blanc. This wine’s aromas, Honeydew melon, white peach and citrus with a hint of wild fennel, are characteristic of Patianna’s grapes, grown by means of biodynamic protocols in gravelly, sandy loam soil. Luscious, vibrant flavors of grapefruit and lemon flavors, accented by a subtle mineral quality, carry through the wine’s expansive finish.

2008 Carmenet Vineyards Pinot Noir, California

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

Carmenet Winery was founded in 1982 by the Chalone Wine Group. The name Carmenet (Car-men-ay) was an archaic French term for the family of grape varieties used in traditional Bordeaux blends. In 2002 the brand was sold to Foster’s Group who later sold it to Franzia Wines. This really is a lovely Pinot Noir with good fruit and spice, excellent fruit and a full long finish. Quite the value!

P.K.N.T. Carmenère, Silver Collection, Rapel Valley, Chile

List price 6.95; our price 4.99

The PKNT Winery is located in the Central Region of Chile, the very heart of the country which includes its capital city, Santiago. The wine producing valleys of Cachapoal, Colchagua and Maule are located here. This wine is dark in color, smooth, deep, spicy, forward, delightful and unique; all for 4.99. Besides the berry notes there are hints of exotic spices that tantalize all the way to a long velvety finish. It is ideal with Tex-Mex or spicy food.

2007 Filus Winery, Malbec, Mendoza Argentina

List price 11.00; our price 8.99

This wine comes from a 68 year old vineyard in the Alto Medrano region of Mendoza. The low yield vines produce a wine that is violet in color with purple tones. The nose is intense and complex with the ideal balance of fruit and oak, resulting in a firm structure. Plum and blackberry fruits combine with toasty notes and sweet tannins for a long and persistent finish. The wine won a bronze Medal at the San Francisco Wine Competition.

2006 Chateau Lagarosse Cotes de Bordeaux

List price 18.00; our price 13.99

This blend of Merlot (80%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) is a harmonious blend of layered bright and rich berry fruit flavors. Château Lagarosse has been producing wine since the Roman period and continues to seduce the palate with a silky smooth texture and lingering finish.

2008 Masked Rider Gunsmoke Red, California

List price 9.99; our price 8.75

This young 2008 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Petite Sirah (38%), Merlot (15%) and Cabernet Franc (7%) shows aromas and flavors of fresh fruit, plums, black currant, herbs, and espresso notes, complemented with touches of earth. It is smooth in the mouth, with round tannins and a tasty finish.

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, June 6, 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

Those of you who were not able to attend last Saturday’s event missed out on an impromptu attempt to pair cupcakes with the wines being poured.  The delicious pastries are made by Sisters Cupcakes by Design from Cathedral City (www.sisterscupcakes.com), 760-328-5620.  Josie and Sandy, who are indeed sisters, provided us an array of cupcakes from lemon-coconut to chocolate-raspberry.  I was quite skeptical when the idea was first suggested, but was amazed at the good reception we received, not to mention the sheer fun of it all.  We decided to repeat the event this weekend, but announce it in advance.  These baked jewels will go well with the wines we have selected, but you do have to like cupcakes.

Zonin Prosecco Sparkling Wine, Italy
Regular price 11.00; our price 8.99
This is a very tasty sparkling wine, though without being overly carbonated.  The fruit is soft and pear-like and there are just enough sweet elements to remove the acidic edge one gets from Champagne.  Besides making an excellent Bellini cocktail, this Prosecco should pair well with the cupcakes.

2006 Annie’s Lane Riesling, Clare Valley, Australia
Regular price 13.50; our price 7.99
This Riesling is pale straw in color with green hues.  The nose shows the classic, elegant characters of Clare Valley Riesling: dried Lime rind, citrus and stone fruit.  The palate is tight and elegant, with lime flavors dominating throughout.  It can be enjoyed as an apèritif or as the perfect accompaniment to fruits de mer.  Its impressive length and natural acidity will allow for graceful aging over the next 5 years.

Grandial Muscat Rosé Sparkling Wine, France
Regular price 12.00; our price 9.99
This is a fruity elegant sparkling wine with fine bubbles and a fresh palate.  It is slightly sweet and should pair well with our cupcake selection.  This is a great price for this fruit-forward sparkling wine with fine bubbles and fresh palate.

2005 PKNT Carmenère Reserve, Rapel Valley, Chile
Regular price 9.00; our price 6.99
The wine is smooth and full bodied with a dark red color.   In the nose it has red cherries and plums with a touch of toasty oak.  There are hints of chocolate and berries in a setting of round tannins; soft but well structured. 

2006 Yangarra Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia
Regular price 20.95; our price 17.99
Rich spice, blackberry fruit, and hints of sweet vanilla are the hallmarks of this remarkable Shiraz.  On the palate, the wine is rich and full-bodied, with intense blackberry and dark cherry flavors, although soft tannins.  It was aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels to encourage the smoky, toasty oak flavors which, in turn, frame the rich, plush dark berry and plum flavors giving way to a balanced black pepper finish.

2006 Yangarra Cadenzia, McLaren Vale, Australia
Regular price 23.00; our price 19.99
This is a blend supposedly inspired by the opera term for an improvised personal expression at the end of an Aria (usually seen as “Cadenza”).  This blend of Grenache (68%), Shiraz (27%) and Mourvèdre (5%) blends together the array of flavors and terroirs of the estate, and is very representative of the McLaren Vale appellation in general.  The full flavor experience evokes blackberry, Bing cherry, mulberry, plums, nuts and subdued oak flavors slowly tapering off to a lingering finish.

Saturday, May 23, 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 bringing a small piece of Europe to you via a sampling of wines from France, Germany, Austria and Italy.  This may not represent adequate compensation for those of us who could not afford to travel to Europe this summer, but we can guarantee you an excellent afternoon of good fellowship and cheer.  Plus, there is the added attraction of honing our wine tasting skills, as well as expanding our knowledge of esoteric wines from the old world.  Now, how can you resist such an opportunity?

2005 Chartron et Trebuchet Mâcon-Villages, France
Regular price 14.00, today only 9.99
This wine is 100% Chardonnay and displays a character more akin to Chablis in that it has a steely minerality against a citrus background with toasty, yeasty notes.  It is a perfect picnic wine and is good for summer sipping.

2005 Jurtschitsch Sonnhof Grüner Veltliner, Austria
Regular price 14.95, today only 12.99
This GrüVe from the family-run Jurtschitsch wine-estate fascinates with cool flavors of fruit, followed by spicy notes and a refreshing final minerality.  “GrüVe - Smile” is how Christian Ludwig Attersee subtitled his painting to be seen on this year’s bottling.  The artist’s personal interpretation displays light but still warm shades of yellow representing its fruitiness.  Oh yes, the wine is delicious, as well.

2005 Ökonomierat Rebholz, Weißer Burgunder, Pfalz, Germany
Regular price 24.90, today only 19.99
This is a spätlese trocken bottling, meaning the grapes were late picked and fermented dry.  The Rebholz family is absolutely fanatic about producing the purest expression of this grape, allowing no adulteration of any kind (such as chaptalization or adding sweet grape juice to the fermentation process).  This Pinot Blanc has a finely spiced, mineral apple scent with a hint of honey and melon.  It is clean and dry, with a nutty flavor and a mineral presence.  It has animating acidity, but is harmonious with a smooth texture on the palate.

2007 Karl Heinz Zellerschwarze Katz, Mosel, Germany
Regular price 8.99, today only 7.50
The two-hundred-year family-owned estate has been in the hands of Karl Heinz Weis since 2001, when he took over production from his father.  Like most Mosel wineries, the estate produces mainly Riesling, followed by Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Dornfelder and Müller-Thurgau.  Karl Heinz Weis has already won many awards in both state and federal competitions and is considered at the forefront of a group of up-and-coming young Mosel vintners.  The village of Zell on the Mosel River is the genesis of this wine with the familiar black cat (Schwarze Katz) on the label.  Wines under this label are generally light and simple, and, at 9.5% alcohol, very easy to quaff.

2007 Louis Jadot Beaujolais, France
Regular price 11.99, today only 9.99
This wine is bright and fresh, with ripe, supple, crushed strawberry flavors underscored by zesty nuances of peppercorns, gentle tannins and a clean acidity, finishing on a succulent, refreshing note.  On the palate, it is light bodied, lively, and shows plenty of acidity.  There are hints of cherries with a touch of spice.  The finish is dry, a little edgy, and its mild tannins linger slightly.

2003 Sorrentino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio, Italy
Regular price 16.95, today only 9.99
This wine is produced with Piedirosso grapes from the best vineyards of Vesuvio Vulcano.  The wine is ruby-red, almost garnet-colored, with orange reflections.  It has a rich, full, sustained perfume, and an integrated, austere, harmonious flavor.  It has an alcohol content of 12.5% and excellent balancing acidity.  Serve cool, with roasted red meats, game, and dishes garnished with truffles, and cheese.

Saturday, May 9, 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

We are continuing our search for bargains among wines and liquors that suit your needs for the coming summer months.  This Saturday we are showcasing some new arrivals that fit nicely into that category.  It is our job to introduce you to the myriad possibilities to satisfy personal enjoyment as well as your entertainment needs.  We do this a few bottles at a time so that the focus is not lost.  As each week goes by your knowledge of beverage products increases and, chances are, you are enjoying the party.

Grandial Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine, Brut, France
Regular price 8.99, Today only 6.99
This is a wonderfully light sparkling wine produced from 100% Ugni Blanc that is surprisingly clean, refreshing and totally dry.  It is medium bodied, displaying ripe fruit and smooth textures.  It has lightly creamy flavors that end with a crisp finish.  This is a great price for this fruity, elegant sparkling wine with fine bubbles and fresh palate.

2008 Benvolio Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy
Regular price 13.50, Today only 9.99
The Friuli–Venezia Giulia area of Italy is in the northeast next to Slovenia.  This wine comes from the Grave section of the Friuli where well drained soils produce the quintessential Pinot Grigio.  The wine is fresh and delicate, with clean pear and apple flavors set in a crisp balanced acidic structure.  Look for subtle hints of rosewater and lychee in the long flavorful finish. 

2007 Zaza Garnacha Rosé, Campo de Borja, Spain
Regular price 10.99, Today only 9.99
Campo de Borja is part of the region of Aragon, the home of Henry VIII of England’s first wife, Catherine, and her mother, Spain’s famous Queen Isabella.  Campo de Borja once belonged to the Borja family, one of Spain’s most famous noble clans.  You’ll recognize the name when you read the Italianized version – Borgia.  This is a medium bodied, dry rosé with aromas of strawberry and a palate of ripe berry fruit.  Also discernable are melons, watermelon and rose petals.

2004 Bolla Nero d’Avola, Sicily
Magnum Regular price 14.95, Today only 9.99
Nero d’Avola is the major red grape grown in Sicily and in the southern part of Italy, as well.  Up front the wine shows cherry and raspberry fruit, some peppery spice and black licorice.  With time in the bottle, the wine has fleshed out a little from its original release and is now drinking rather smoothly.

2006 Martin Codax Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain
Regular price 12.99, Today only 9.99
This fine Tempranillo shows aromas of ripe fruit and a floral bouquet that is integrated with nuances of cedar and toasty oak.  The palate is elegant and complex; the wine is vibrant and expressive with medium body and hints of vanilla from the oak aging.  Flavors of cherries, currants, coconut and fresh raspberries capture the palate leading to a long, lingering finish.  Wine Enthusiast gave it a score of 87: “Good and meaty stuff, with bold aromas that feature leather, berry and char.  Seems saturated and ripe, and gets better the more air it sees.  Flavorwise, we’re talking about plum, blackberry and a little vanilla.  Complete on the finish, with all angles covered. Not complicated or complex; good value.”

Krohn White Port, “Lagrima”, Portugal
Regular price 15.00, Today only 12.99
White Port is made from, guess what?, white grapes, whereas tawny and ruby Port can be made from roughly 80 different grape varieties, most of them red. This one has been aged for 8 years.  Look for flavors of burnt caramel, plums, raisins, hazelnuts and baking spices.  Since the wine has had extended barrel aging and is fortified, it is no problem to keep it in the fridge for a month after opening it.  Serve it chilled, on the rocks with a slice of lemon or add a splash of club soda.

Starbucks Coffee Liqueur
Liter Regular price 25.00, Today only 14.99
Partnered in production with Jim Beam, Starbucks liqueur is very rich and thick, with a rich dark coffee aroma, and functions better when it is mixed.  It does go well with coffee and with lattes and is perfect for vodka, milk or cream mixing.  It is made from Latin American arabica coffee beans and actually tastes a lot like coffee ice cream.  It is neither subtle nor complex, but it is supremely smooth at 20 percent alcohol (40 proof).

Saturday, April 25, 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 once again be visited by a representative of importer Quintessential Wines.  Our host on this occasion will be Michael Vlasquez.  He will be pouring and discussing 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.  This event displays little rhyme or reason, just an appreciation of some fine wines and excellent values. 

2007 Les Jamelles Cinsault Rosé, Vin de Pay d’Oc, France
Regular price 11.95 Our price 8.99
Les Jamelles has been producing handcrafted varietal wines in the Pays d’Oc, in the South of France, since 1991.  The Pays d’Oc (Languedoc-Roussillon), the biggest vineyard region in the world, boasts a wide range of geographic features, from the sunny beaches on the Mediterranean Sea to the plains of Béziers, to the banks of the Rhône to the Pyrenees Mountains. As in Burgundy, the region offers numerous terroirs and microclimates, allowing for a wide range of wines to be produced.  This rosé is made in the saignée method from the Cinsault grape and features cherries, raspberries and orange blossoms yet remains fresh, tart and dry.

2007 Les Jamelles Pinot Noir, Vin de Pay de l’Aude, France
Regular price 11.95 Our price 8.99
From the cool slopes of the Aude Valley comes this well made Pinot reminiscent of raspberries and prunes.  It has a lush roundness moving towards cherry notes and features a lingering finish of jam with a hint of anise.  It is a versatile wine for service with chicken, game, duck and pork.

2008 Elsa Bianchi Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Regular price 11.95 Our price 8.99
The classic Malbec aromas of ripe plum and violets are evident in the nose, along with hints of vanilla. The beauty of the Malbec in Argentina is its ability to combine a rich, weighty mouth feel with a soft silkiness normally associated with lighter wines. Elsa Malbec takes the promise of the nose through to the palate, with pleasing fruit that mimics the aroma. The soft, supple palate leads to a lingering finish that cries out for more.

2003 Source-Napa Meritage, “Heritage Sites”, Napa V.
Regular price 38.00 Our price 29.50
Partners Bill Davies and Tom Gamble met on the first day of nursery school in the Napa Valley in 1965.  On the label is a picture of the two boys at play at that nursery school.  Forty years later the two find themselves partners in a winery that produces Bordeaux styled wines.  The Davies family owns Schramsberg Vineyards and Tom Gamble’s family has farmed in Napa Valley since 1916.  The blend in this bottling is Merlot 74%, Cabernet Sauvignon 24% and Cabernet Franc 2%.  There is a sweet spiciness in the nose, and in the mouth there is lots of leather, cedar and oak to go with the red fruit.

2006 Eponymous Red Wine, Macallister Vineyard, Sonoma V.
Regular price 45.00 Our price 29.95
Eponymous means “one for whom something is named”.  When the Robert Pepi family sold their winery in Napa, the exclusive use of the name went with the winery; thus the name on this label.  The grapes come from a single vineyard, MacAllister Vineyard, near the ridge of the Mayacamas Range on the Sonoma side of Mt. Veeder.  The wine displays cassis, spicy oak notes, orange peel, slight camphor, raspberries and hints of vanilla and cloves as it opens.  It has excellent body and structure with the flavors following the aromas and added nuances of chocolate and allspice.  The mouthfeel has the elegance and balance that is the hallmark of a fine red Bordeaux blend with a lush entry and continuing through the mid-palate and on to a long, pleasing finish.

Valentine Bianchi White Wine, “New Age”, Mendoza, Argentina
Regular price 11.95 Our price 8.99
We asked Michael to repeat a pouring of this wine because it is quite charming.  It is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (50%) and Malvasia (50%). The fruit is hand picked followed by crushing, cooling of crushed grapes, and pressing. Fermentation begins by inoculating with selected yeasts.  Halfway through the fermentation process, the wine is centrifuged (spun) to halt fermentation, creating a slightly sweet, semi-sparkling wine. It exhibits aromas of fresh flowers and fruit, crisp, yet soft in the finish.  Try serving on the rocks with a slice of lime.

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, June 7, 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

We placed an order several months ago for French wines on a pre-arrival pricing basis. Summer is not necessarily a great time for the wines to arrive as many of our customers have left or are leaving the desert. Well, they arrived. Rather than wait for the fall to show them off, let’s pop a few corks this Saturday and celebrate their arrival.

2006 Domaine de Sérame Viognier, Reserve
14.99
Viognier is typically an aromatic wine with good bracing acidity focusing on wonderful stone fruit and citrus blossoms. So it goes with this Vin de Pays d’Oc bottling which displays a delicate nose of peach and orange blossom continuing to a delicious, rich, mouthfeel with notes of apricot and on to a long, aromatic finish.

2006 Paul Jaboulet Côtes du Rhône, Parallele 45
9.99
In the village of Pont de l’Isère, a monument symbolizes this parallel line with the inscription: “the South begins here”. The grapes from these 25-years old vines (60% Grenache and 40% Syrah) are fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. The resultant wine is aromatic, hinting at red fruits blended with spices. On the palate, the wine is well-structured on rounded tannins, with a final spicy note.

2005 Chateau Lagupeau, Graves
14.95
Given the style of the vintage, most of the 2005 wines should be accessible young, yet evolve for a decade or more because of their concentration and tannic structure. This Bordeaux is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It is smooth with a lovely fruitiness focused on cherries, berries and blackcurrants. There is good complexity enhanced with easy going tannins. Great Value!

2006 Chateau Pey La Tour, Bordeaux
14.95
The blend here is 77% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Aromatics of sweet cherries, black currants, subtle herbs, cedar, and spice combine with a long, rich entry and mid-palate of similar flavors. The result is an impressive, supple-textured Bordeaux to drink over the next 2-3 years.

2005 Chateau Grimont, Bordeaux
15.50
This is a blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine has a lovely dark, ruby red color. The aromas are fruity and elegant. It is full-bodied and delicately balanced leading to a delightfully long finish. It is drinking well now, but will improve over the next 3 to 4 years.

2002 Chateau d’Armajan des Ormes, Sauternes
19.95
Sauternes is right up there with the best dessert wines of the world. Lemon lime aromas give way to a rich, elegant honey, butter, apricot and pear flavor. It is showing great complexity with lovely balance. There are notes of spice and anise on the long, long finish. The land for this 35 acres estate was established as a Lordship in 1565 following a visit by King Charles IX and his mother Catherine de Medici.

Saturday, March 29, 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

This week we go to France for a visit to Bordeaux, Rhone, Ventoux, Loire and Provence.  Paul Chatterton will be here representing import company Maisons Marques & Domaines and leading us on a tour of these great wine producing regions.  Champagne house, Louis Roederer, is a big player in this portfolio after having bought up many properties throughout France in the nineties.

2005 Marc Brédif Vouvray, Chinon, Loire
$16.99
The history of the wines of Vouvray is directly linked to the religious history of Touraine.  From the 4th century, the monks owned most of the vineyards, including the best growths.  The cellars of Marc Brédif are among the biggest and most beautiful of the appellation.  The digging of these caves in the hillsides began in the 8th century, and have ever since offered perfect cold and humid wine storage conditions.  No oak is used in the winemaking of the Vouvray, so that the delicate perfume and fresh flavors of the Chenin Blanc grape blossom from the bottle.
2005 La Poussie Sancerre, Loire
$24.50
The exceptional vineyard site of La Poussie, with its natural amphitheater of an almost perfect semi-circle of 180°, makes it one of the most unique in the world.  Its origins can be traced back to the Capetians, as witnessed by a document dating from around 1040.  After temperature controlled fermentation, the wine remains on its lees and is blended after eight to ten months in the vats. It is a light, fruity, dry and vigorous Sauvignon Blanc, infused with the clay and limestone soil.
2006 Domaines Ott Les Domaniers Rosé, Côtes de Provence
$17.50
Domaines Ott was founded in 1912 by Alsatian engineer, Marcel Ott.  Today, the wineries, one in Bandol and two in Côtes de Provence, are owned and managed by Champagne producer Louis Roederer.  In this rosé, Cinsault is used for its finesse and fullness; Grenache to add warmth to the wine; and Syrah in small quantities to round out the wine, give color and a touch of licorice.  The wine shows aromas of peach and apricot with hints of white blossoms and spice.
2006 Delas Côtes du Ventoux
$9.50
Delas Freres was founded 160 years ago in the heart of the northern Côtes du Rhône.  In 1977, it was merged with Champagne Deutz, both of which were acquired by the Champagne House of Louis Roederer in 1993.  The grapes are Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%)  After harvest, the Grenache grapes are fermented the traditional way in stainless steel tanks while being mixed daily to allow a soft extraction of carbolic acid.  The Syrah is barrel fermented in order to fully bring out its fruity aromatic power.  After malolactic fermentation, the wines are mixed and then preserved in stainless steel tanks, for six to eight months until bottled.  There is a dominance of red berries with a combination of power and freshness that carries over onto the palate.  There’s plenty of spicy richness on the palate, even some light tannins to help rein in all that fruit.
2005 Delas Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone
$18.79
The appellation of Crozes Hermitage is the largest in the northern Rhône valley, covering nearly 2,100 acres.  The region consists of primarily Syrah grapes that are aromatic, rich and full-bodied.  The fermentation of these grapes takes place at controlled temperatures of 82 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in open concrete tanks.  After malolactic fermentation, the wine ages for 12 months; 30 percent in oak barrels and the remaining portion in large tanks, preserving the full fruit aromas.
2005 Château Haut-Beauséjour, Saint-Estèphe
$29.95
In 1992, Champagne house Louis Roederer, acquired and combined two Cru Bourgeois vineyards in the heart of the Medoc’s prestigious Saint-Estephe appellation: Château Picard and Château Beauséjour. Together, these properties make up what is now called “Château Haut-Beauséjour.”  The wine shows red- and black-berry fruit, with notes of stewed apples and jam overlaid by elegant hints of wood and aromas of spice and tobacco.  On the palate, the taste is very slow to develop but remains elegant without a trace of hardness or dryness, and a finesse and elegance that echo the nose. This is sure to be a fine, long-lived wine and already is quite exceptional; especially in value.