Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, January 2, 2010

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs 92264

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

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

2008 Domaine Laurier Chardonnay, Sonoma County

List price 9.95; our price 6.99

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

2007 Domaine Laurier Cabernet Sauvignon

List price 9.95; our price 6.99

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

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

List price 14.95; our price 12.99

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

2006 Bodegas Bilbaínas Viña Zaco Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain

List price 13.00; our price 11.50

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

2008 Bodegas Gascón Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

List price 14.95; our price 11.99

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

2005 Bridlewood Syrah Reserve, Central Coast

List price 22.50; our price 15.99

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

Saturday, December 19, 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

Our annual Champagne event last week was a big hit and we are following it up with a Prosecco party.  This Saturday we will be visited by Kirsten York from Italy’s Mionetto Winery. The Mionetto family has been producing Prosecco wine in the very heart of Valdobbiadene since 1887.  The Prosecco zone, located in the Veneto, is comprised of an area between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.  This is the only place in the world where the Prosecco grape grows.  Mionetto makes a range of Prosecco styles, which would well accommodate year-end party needs at easy to manage pricing.  The best part is they are very festive, are under 12% alcohol and they taste really good.  Prosecco is an ideal accompaniment for a variety of cuisines and courses.  Whether served as an apèritif, or at the end of a meal, or any course in between, the natural acidity and fresh taste lightly compliments, but never over-powers, a meal.  Join us this Saturday to learn all about the famous grape that produces this wonderful wine, while sipping the lovely elixir.

Mionetto IL Prosecco, Veneto

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

This is a straw-colored wine with brilliant reflections. The aroma is fruity, reminiscent of pear and citrus with a slightly floral bouquet. The wine is fresh and crisp with apparent apple and peach flavors. This lightly sparkling (frizzante) wine typifies the traditional wine-maker’s Prosecco.

Mionetto Prosecco di Valdobbiadene

List price 18.00; our price 14.99

The Valdobbiadene winemaker’s art is full of long-standing traditions which the Mionetto Company has preserved, including the ancient custom of using string-tied corks, a rustic characteristic of the Valdobbiadene wines of the past lovingly maintained by Mionetto to this day.  The wine is slightly fruity and dry, with the perfume of golden apples.

Mionetto Prosecco Brut

List price 15.95; our price 11.99

This fully-sparkling wine is pale gold with greenish tints and a full and consistent perlage. Refined, light and delicate, it has a long-lasting aroma and fruity, crisp taste that recalls the freshness of golden apples.

Mionetto Sergio Spumante, Extra Dry

List price 24.00; our price 21.95

The blend in this sparkling wine is 70% Prosecco di Valdobbiadene DOC and the other 30% is a blend of Verdiso, Bianchetta and Chardonnay.  It honors the traditions of the Veneto winemaking region and the long history of the Mionetto family.  Contemporary master vintner Sergio Mionetto produces this wine based on a formula handed down by Francesco Mionetto, who founded the winery.  A touch of two old grape varieties, unique to the region, are blended with the area’s finest Prosecco grapes; the result is a superbly dry, slightly fruity wine with just a hint of acidic crispness.  Wine Enthusiast gave the wine a 92 point-rating.

Mionetto IL Rosato del Veneto

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

This well-balanced and fruity wine has lively notes of cherries with a long and dry finish. Its pleasing aroma recalls the elegant mix of roses, raspberries and peaches.  This wine is lovely on its own, as an apèritif or paired with cured meats, mild cheeses or shellfish.  It particularly comes alive as a complement to fresh water fish such as rainbow trout and carp.

Mionetto Sergio Rosé

List price 24.00; our price 21.95

This is a brilliant, raspberry colored Italian sparkler with pretty and well-defined aromas of cranberry juice, almonds and roses.  Interesting mineral nuances that recall chalk or white stone add a patina of elegance and femininity to a fun and informal wine otherwise characterized by red berry fruit, white cherry and flower petal.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

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

Villa Sandi Prosecco, Veneto, Italy

List price 12.95; our price 9.99

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

2008 Indaba Chardonnay, South Africa

List price 9.95; our price 8.99

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

2007 Chateau Saint-Florin Rosé, Bordeaux, France

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

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

2006 Chateau Trocard Bordeaux Superieur, France

List price 14.00; our price 9.99

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

2008 Bodega Norton Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina

List price 11.00; our price 8.99

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

2005 Bodegas Aresan Librato, La Mancha Spain

List price 14.00; our price 9.99

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

Saturday, November 7, 2009

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

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

2008 Valley of the Moon Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

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

2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards New Gewurz, Mendocino Co.

List price 9.99; our price 5.99

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

2005 Mazzocco Winery Merlot, Sonoma County

List price 18.00; our price 9.99

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

2006 Red Rock Winery Merlot, California

List price 9.99; our price 7.99

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

2005 Mazzocco Winery Zinfandel, Sonoma County

List price 18.00; our price 9.99

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

2007 Apothic Red, Winemaker’s Blend, California

List price 14.00; our price 9.99

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

Saturday, December 13, 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

Here are a few wines that should prove adequate, if not perfect, for your holiday entertainment.  Surely, they should prove perfect for our party purposes on Saturday.  Next Thursday I will remind you of the annual Champagne bash to occur on the following Saturday, the 20th; always a high time.  As with last year, Lisa Wherry will do the honors, pouring forth that of which dreams are made.

2005 Barnard Griffin Fumé Blanc, Columbia Valley
8.99
We have made an excellent buy of this fine Sauvignon Blanc, taking advantage of the change of distributors to secure a great deal.  Producing Award Winning wines for over 30 years, Barnard Griffin Winery is situated in south-central Washington at the confluence of the Yakima, Columbia, and Snake rivers, in the heart of Washington State’s wine country.  The wine has aromas of citrus and herbs. Its acidity and crispness gives it a wonderful palate impression.  It is bright on the palate for greater length and finish.  Enjoy it with shellfish or as an apéritif. 

Viognier Special of the day
9.99
This just released Viognier was produced entirely in French Oak, with 50% of the barrels being new.  It shows good character with layers of honey, cantaloupe, lychee and white flower blossoms on the nose and mouth.  It shows itself best when served with only a slight chill.
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2004 Barnard Griffin Merlot, Columbia Valley
9.99
The aromas of black cherries and red currants dominate the nose. There is a good dose of medium toasted European oak barrels. You see a great vintage in the 2004 with moderate tannins and good acid.  Black cherry, currant nose with smoky pipe tobacco, caramel notes. Very fruity lively attack boasts ripe plum and cherry fruit accented by licorice and earthy qualities in the background. This wine delivers excellent fruit concentration, depth and density.  Think barbequed meats with rich sauces and marinades.  It received a 91-point rating from Wine & Spirits Magazine.

2004 Brassfield Merlot, Lake County
11.95
Here’s another great deal while it lasts.  The winery sits at an elevation of 1800 feet overlooking Clear Lake and the grapes are grown in well drained volcanic soil.  The blend is 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.  The wine has a deep, rich garnet hue, with aromas of black cherry, cola nut and cocoa.  The rustic flavors of cinnamon spice, plum and bay laurel are enhanced with subtle nuances of vanilla, oak, and soy.  The complexity of flavors is further enhanced by the soft middle and silky tannins that lead to a lengthy soft finish.

2005 Trentadue Old Patch Red, Sonoma County
11.95
Named for the original 1896 plantings, Trentadue’s Old Patch Red has remained the all time favorite among legions of Trentadue fans for over three decades.  The blend is comprised of 70% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, 5.5% Carignane and 4.5% Syrah.  The predominance of Zin in the blend brings in jammy, peppery, black cherry and strawberry aromas with spicy herbal nuances.  Further aeration reveals deeper and more complex layers of plums, brown sugar, graphite and earthy, dusty undertones.  The mouth feel reveals no hard edges, with a juicy middle but shows a solid tannin core suggesting a good aging potential.  This release has picked up 5 Gold Medals so far from prestigious California competitions including a “Best of Class” award at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair.

2006 Robert Hall Orange Muscat, Paso Robles
9.99
Not all good dessert wines need to be expensive.  This high value Muscat (enjoying a 95 point rating) is effusive with fresh citrus & orange blossom aromas that entertain your senses with sweet spice and tropical fruit flavors.  It is crisp, with a bright finish; a delight by itself, or paired with Thai cuisine or as an accompaniment to crème brûlée.
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Saturday, December 6, 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

Garvey Daniels of American Wines & Spirits will be joining us this Saturday to pour and talk about wines from his Italian portfolio.  All of the wines are excellent but two of the wines in particular have received considerable accolades including their listing in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of theYear.  There is something very cozy about Italian wines because they are satisfying but never overblown.  The wines function beautifully as apéritifs and provide excellent service with food.

2006 Rocca Delle Macie Orvieto Classico
8.99
The grapes for this wine are selected from vineyards in the heart of the Orvieto Classico region in Umbria.  The blend consists of Trebbiano (Procanico) 50%, Verdello 20%, Grechetto 20% and Malvasia 10%.  The wine is the result of pressing and fermentation at a constant temperature, then cold bottled.  The color is a brilliant pale yellow with green highlights and the nose is persistent, fruity, and intense.  On the palate it is dry and fresh, with a slight aftertaste of bitter almonds.

2007 Suavia Soave Classico
14.99
#75 Wine Spectator Top 100; 90 points Wine Spectator Designation: Smart Buys “Lots of lemon, white peach and mineral character, with hints of orange peel and dry almond.  Medium-bodied, with good acidity and a crisp finish, leaving a lingering citrus aftertaste. Racy, nervy and delicious. Minerally, almost flinty. Drink now. 6,000 cases made.” (08/08) According to Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “Suavia’s 2007 Soave Classico shows the complexity and character of this hillside site in its ripe yellow fruits, smoke, earthiness and minerals.”

2007 Bottega Vinaia Pinot Grigio, Trentino
15.99
The grapes for this wonderful wine come from the Dolomite Alps area of Trentino, north of Lake Garda.  This area seems to be perfect for the Pinot Grigio grape due to warm days and cool nights with constant breezes clearing away moisture.  The wine is fragrant with fine pear-like fruit and displays its usual robe of minerality.

2006 Tormaresca Chardonnay, Puglia
9.99
This Chardonnay, light yellow with golden highlights, has aromas of exotic fruit, citrus and pineapple.  It is an elegant wine with pear flavors and a delicate minerality with bright acidity that pairs well with a wide variety of food.  It received 85 points from Wine Spectator: “Shows apple, lemon and honey on the nose and palate.  A full, straightforward Chardonnay.”

2003 Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva, Puglia
9.95
The grape varieties used in this wine are Negroamaro 80% and Malvasia Nera (20%).  Garnet highlights enliven this ruby red wine from the heel of Italy.  Caramelized red fruits, spices, tea and hints of wood, unfold in the mouth and are balanced by the tannins and acidy to create a smooth and luscious wine.  It is ready to drink immediately or to keep for 3-4 years.  Serve with pasta and meat sauce and red meats including lamb.  Ideal partner for medium to well seasoned cheese.

2003 Travaglini Gattinara, Piemonte
24.75
This Nebbiolo from the Piedmont is a very hard wine to perfect but the people at Travaglini are surely among the very best producers in Italy.  Wine Spectator thought so giving it a position in its highly acclaimed top 100 wines of last year.  This wine has a reputation as the “poor mans Barolo” but over the past 10 years has began to shed its image and step out of the shadows.  Lots of dried fruits and flowers come forth accompanied with some traditionally Barolo like tobacco notes.  A super thick, full bodied and tannic wine, the finish goes on a full half minute and the wine has a coating, pleasant mouth-feel.  It needs a few years of age so you may consider opening after 2010.

Saturday, November 22, 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

This Saturday we will be visited by Corina Vandever from importer Southern Starz from whom we buy quite a lot of wine.  The reason is quite simple: they bring in lots of good stuff.  With her will be George Gee of TGIC Imports who represents the Southern Starz portfolio in California.  Our southern hemisphere tour will take us to New Zealand, Chile, Australia and South Africa.  All of these wines are truly exceptional.

2008 Sherwood Estate Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
13.99
The fruit was harvested in the cool of the night and transported to the winery where only the free run and light pressed juice was used.  It was cool fermented for an average of 19 days, then left for an extended three month period of contact with the yeast lees.  The wine is fresh, offering up lively gooseberry and passion fruit aromas with a touch of cut grass.  The palate is rich and concentrated with a beautiful long finish.

2008 Montes Syrah Rosé “Cherub” Chile
9.99 (Sat. only: Buy 6 get 1 FREE)
After several years of experimentation, Aurelio Montes settled on producing a rosé from Syrah, a grape he made famous in Chile with the country’s first-ever Ultra Premium 100% Syrah called Montes’ Folly in 2002.  The wine follows a process of cold maceration where the must is left in contact with the skins overnight (for approximately eight hours) to fully extract color and aromas and infuse the wine with flavor.  Once the juice was racked until totally clear, it underwent alcoholic fermentation using selected yeast at 50º F for 20 days.  On the nose and the palate, it demonstrates a distinctive Syrah character with spiciness and hints of strawberries, rose and orange peel.  With good fruit concentration, it shows richness in texture across the palate that leads to a delightfully long finish.  It has a strong backbone of acidity and a slight amount of tannin that gives the wine a defined structure.

2005 Flinders Run Shiraz, Australia
29.50
This wine has received some serious accolades (albeit somewhat obscure):
95 pts Robert Parker, the Wine Advocate #173
Purple/black in color, the wine exhibits a big, brooding bouquet of pain grillé, pepper, Asian spices, blueberry, blackberry, and licorice. This leads to a full-bodied (15.2% alcohol), super-rich, plush wine with layers of spicy black fruit flavors, excellent balance, and a long, pure finish. For a wine of this size, it is remarkably light on its feet.
92 pts Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar 2007
Glass-staining ruby. Explosively perfumed nose offers a surreal array of dark fruits, oak spices, flowers and minerals. Fat but focused, with intense, spicy blackberry, cassis and floral pastille flavors. Gentle tannins add structure but can’t contain the wine’s expansive, sweet personality. Gains strength on the long, sappy finish. This has enormous immediate appeal.
91 pts Wine Spectator Web 12/21/07
Dense and peppery. A lively mouthful of dark-hued fruit and spice, lingering on the clear, focused, juicy finish. Fine tannins frame this nicely. Best from 2009 through 2015. 2,000 cases made.

2005 Black Pearl Vineyards, Oro, Paarl, South Africa
17.50
The name of the blend “Oro” comes from the God Oro, King of the Firmament, who gave the black pearl as a gift to the ocean. The vineyard is situated on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, and, after it has rained, Paarl Rock resembles a black pearl.  The blend is Shiraz (57%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (43%).  This is a rich wine with hints of clove and spices; plum, dark berries and licorice flavors. 

2007 Tait Winery “The Ball Buster”, Australia
17.50
The age of the vineyards that make up the 2007 Ball Buster Blend vary between 7 and 40 years.  Deep Black Purple. Intense aromas of blackcurrant, stewed plums, cherry, and chocolate. Full bodied berry palate with a sweet long lasting finish.  It received a 90-point rating from Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar just arriving on Wednesday at TGIF.

NV R.L. Buller & Son Muscat, Australia
14.75/375 ml
You can’t get too much better than a 97-point rating from Robert Parker, of The Wine Advocate: “This wine is nearly flawless. Fabulously perfumed as well as unctuously textured, it offers incredible notes of prunes, raisins, honey, molasses, roasted nuts, etc., etc. Australia continues to be a treasure trove for fortified, after-dinner wines. Once bottled, they do not change, and often age up to a decade where well stored. After opening, most will last for a week. This is one of the top wine discoveries of this year’s tastings. Many consumers are going to be overjoyed with this offering.”

Saturday, November 15, 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

This Saturday we will be visited by Garvey Daniels from American Wines & Spirits to be led through a tasting of wines that are  perfectly suitable for November entertaining.  You might even find the perfect Thanksgiving wine among the pearls listed below.  All offer value at their price point and plenty of pleasure at your table.  At least, It won’t hurt you to try, and your enjoyment if guaranteed.

NV Taltarni Brut Taché Sparkling Wine, Australia
14.95
This import of Clos du Val of Napa Valley is a great all-purpose wine.  Taché is a French word meaning ‘stained’, referring to the pale salmon color of this enticing sparkling wine.  The Chardonnay (52%), Pinot Noir (41%) and Pinot Meunier (7%) grapes are estate grown at Taltarni and Clover Hill, Tasmania.  The grapes are picked at night to retain freshness and acidity.  Specially selected Pinot Noir or Malbec is added to ‘taché’ the wine after disgorgement, resulting in a zesty sparkling wine of rosy hue and a refined freshness.  Disgorgement is after a minimum of 18 months on lees in its original bottle.

2008 Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio, Australia
5.95
The ubiquitous Yellow Tail Winery makes a perfectly serviceable Pinot Grigio in the light and dry style.  As is typical of the varietal there are flavors of pears and green apples with a touch of minerality.  It is clean, crisp and refreshing…and
cheap.

2006 Wolfgang Vineyards Gruner Veltliner “Concerto”, Austria
13.99
The Celts settled in the Austria’s Burgenland around 700 BC, and proceeded forthwith to make wine, for use in their rituals and for daily consumption.  They began to develop sophisticated wine-making techniques which moreover improved when the Romans invaded present day Austria in the 1st century BC.  World War II made a hash of the vineyards there, but all is fine now.  This grape shows expressive fruit with typical pepper and grapefruit notes.�
It can be rendered in a light style or in a rich and flavorful style not unlike Chardonnay, without all the wood.   This is a favorite among Austrians, unless you wave a tankard of beer before them.

2007 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier, Napa
9.99
This wine scored 90 points in the Wine Advocate’s “Value Issue”: “2007 Chenin Blanc/Viognier is a perfumed beauty, (flowers, melons, tropical fruits), medium-bodied, super pure, with no oak and a dry, crisp finish.  Drink it over the next year.” (08/08).  I particularly like the flora and sweet exotic lychee fruit which is beautifully balanced with subtle citrus aromas.  It is bright on the palate with fresh pear and citrus flavors being framed by clean, refreshing acidity.  The wine’s off-dry style lends a touch of sweetness to the otherwise grapefruit-kissed, crisp finish.

2006 Saddlerock Chardonnay, Central Coast
9.99
Although we tasted this wine recently we are revisiting it because Garvey really likes it.  This wine is pale gold in color, with hints of apples and tropical fruits fused with floral notes of honeysuckle and lemon blossom.  Ask for his special deal.

2006 Taltarni Cabernet/Merlot “Three Monks”, Australia
14.95
The blend for this wine is Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (44%) and Petit Verdot (1%).  It displays classic black fruit and forest floor varietal characters complemented by soft, mocha oak flavors.  The long, fruit driven palate and firm, ripe tannins make this an ideal wine for drinking now or for aging for two to three years. 

2007 Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
24.95
This wine shows blackberry, cassis, violets, cedar, tobacco, and hints of minerals and graphite.  It is sweet, densely packed and creamy in the mouth, but with firm, underlying structure that gives lift to the dark berry, chocolate, and coffee flavors.  This is a very lush, soft, complex wine that coats the palate and spreads out on the long, lingering finish.

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.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 327-7701

With Thanksgiving virtually a done deal there remains ample opportunities to party our brains out throughout the month ahead. Accordingly, scan the offering of new arrivals for value wines that actually taste good. The line-up below represents wines of merit that fall readily into the budget softening category. All are priced for today only at $9.99.

South Coast Winery Brut Sparkling Wine, Temecula
$9.99
This Brut is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that was grown in the Temecula Valley. It is made in the crisp style and exhibits an interesting hint of yeast. It won a Bronze medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, tying with Mumm Napa Brut. List Price $18.00.

2005 Anselmi San Vincenzo Bianco, Veneto
$9.99
Roberto Anselmi chooses to label his wines as Veneto IGT rather than working within the boundaries of the Soave DOC. This meant parting ways with many of the traditional viticultural and winemaking practices that have historically defined the Soave district. The blend in the Bianco is 80% Garganega, 15% Chardonnay and 5% Trebbiano di Soave. In the nose, the wine is crisp, with scents of minerals, apple, banana and lemon blossoms. In the mouth the wine is medium-bodied, dry and fresh, with notes of citrus fruit, pear, grapefruit and hints of hazelnut.

2007 Mommessin Beaujolais Nouveau
$9.99
As I am not a fan of Nouveau styled wines, this bottling was something of an eye-opener for me. Its fruit is berry oriented with none of the grapiness one associates with a Nouveau. One of the better quaffing wines around.

2006 Mark West Pinot Noir
$9.99
This winery has always specialized in Pinot Noir with an occasional good bottle of Chardonnay made as well. This is good wine for the price and starts you off with aromas of strawberries and raspberries. In the mouth, the flavor shifts to red cherries and plums within a silky smooth texture.

2004 Gravity Hills Syrah, Paso Robles
$9.99

This second line of wines from Chateau Potelle of Napa starts with a clone from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The grapes are handpicked to get the ripest clusters, and given 14 months of aging in French oak barrels. The result is a juicy, fruit-driven wine with charm to spare. Look for strawberries, black cherries, plums, blueberries, licorice, white pepper and leather.

2005 Louis Martini, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma
$9.99

Louis Martini started this winery in 1933, and today his grandson, Michael is the winemaker. Although the winery and the vineyards have been sold to Gallo, the Martini family continues to have a hand in the production of wines. This Cab expresses itself with lovely black cherry fruit, adding some cassis and spice for complexity.