Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, March 28, 2009

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per personHome of: ExecutiveGiftService.com611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

About a year ago, John Arnold who is a parter in the ownership of J. Lohr Winery joined us for a tasting and discussion of his fine wines. While chatting with him recently over some open bottles of J. Lohr wines, John asked whether he could come once again to revisit us and for us to revisit his wines. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity. The former event was the best attended of the year and most talked about for some time. John is most knowledgable regarding wine and especially on the subject of his winery. So if you want the inside scoop on Jerry Lohr and the amazing success of this enterprise, do make it a point to be here Saturday. I should add, the wines are excellent!

2006 J. Lohr Chardonnay, Riverstone, Arroyo Seco

10.95

The 2006 vintage marked the twentieth year of production of Riverstone Chardonnay from the vineyards in the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County. The aromas are of nectarine, peach pie and apple–combined with the perfumed vanilla and toasted oak bouquet from barrel and malolactic fermentation and sur lie aging. The flavors are very clean, with peach, nectarine and citrus with subtle butter and vanilla toastiness, producing layers of complexity with an excellent balance of fresh fruit acidity and palate weight. This wine is ideal for pairing with oven-roasted chicken, Dungeness crab or cream-sauced pasta dishes.

2005 J. Lohr Chardonnay, October Night V., Arroyo Seco

23.50

The Burgundian winemaking techniques, including alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel with lees stirring and extended aging, contribute a complex bouquet of white flowers, tangerine, lemon curd and butterscotch, and amplify an already intensely viscous wine. This is an enticingly delicious Chardonnay with complex aromas and flavors balanced by palate cleansing acidity, perfect for pairing with roasted chicken, pork or cream-sauced pasta dishes.

2006 J. Lohr Pinot Noir, Fog’s Reach V., Arroyo Seco

27.00

2006 marks the inaugural vintage of the Fog’s Reach Vineyard Pinot Noir. Grown on cobbly, sandy loam soils of the cool, windy Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey, Pinot seems to thrive, producing tiny, deeply colored and flavorful clusters. Comprised of Dijon and Pommard clones, it has enticing aromas of strawberry, cherry and rhubarb with a bouquet of toasted oak, vanilla and roasted meat. The flavors are reminiscent of strawberry, raspberry and cherry with some fruit and oak spiciness with weight, structure and a long, lingering finish. Try it with grilled lamb or duck.

2007 J. Lohr Zinfandel, Old Vines, Paso Robles

13.50

Picked from the Gravity Hills and Giubbini Vineyards of Paso Robles, this blend is comprised of 75.6% Zinfandel, 14.5% Grenache Noir, 7.6% Valdiguié and 2.3% Syrah. The aroma is characterized by Zinfandel’s spicy and jammy red fruits. The raspberry and blackberry are complemented with licorice and black tea spice. The palate has a substantial, plump texture with mid-palate weight and fruitiness making a food friendly wine, but is particularly suited to casual fare such as grilled sausage with red peppers, zesty red-sauced pasta dishes, or even pizza.

2006 J. Lohr Petite Sirah, Tower Road V., Paso Robles

18.95

2006 also marks the inaugural vintage of the Tower Road Vineyard Petite Sirah. In many ways it is not “Petite” at all. In fact, it is the largest-berried and largest-clustered variety grown in Paso Robles, and amazingly, it is also the variety with the greatest phenolic content, with gobs of color and tannin. This wine has dark, brooding aromas of blackberry, black currant and rhubarb pie with a bouquet of dark chocolate, black licorice and brown spices. The flavors are reminiscent of the aromas, with dark chocolate taking the fore, with a huge, plump mouthfeel and long, savory finish. It will stand up to roasted venison, elk or beef with a berry reduction sauce.

2005 J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon, Carol’s V., Napa Valley

32.00

Carol’s Vineyard lies in northern St. Helena, and is comprised of 16.4 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 4.3 acres of Petit Verdot. The wine has elegant aromas of red and black currants and cherries, with a complex bouquet of vanilla, allspice and toasty oak. It delivers a dense, yet incredibly supple structure reminiscent of Bordeaux clarets. A minimum of five years of cellaring would be nice before enjoying with a pan-seared filet mignon in a Cab-peppercorn reduction sauce.

Saturday, April 5, 2008
4 to 6 pm
$5.00 per person

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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