Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, June 5, 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’ve elected to go with glamour in a glass this Saturday: the Marilyn Merlots from Nova Wine Company of Napa.  Each year yet another portrait of Marilyn Monroe adorns these conversational pieces.  It’s the ultimate gift; elegant, well-endowed and drinking beautifully.  The release of the 2008 vintage on June 1st, Marilyn’s birthday, celebrates the 24th vintage of a wine appreciated by fans of the iconic star, collectors of Marilyn memorabilia, and lovers of fine Napa Valley wine.  (This would be the sex symbol’s 84th year)  These bottlings are all about the collectability of the fabulous labels, but not many people have taken the opportunity to actually taste the wines.  That’s what makes this tasting event so special.Bob and Donna Holder, principal owners of Marilyn Merlot, moved to Napa in 1977 from Kansas City, Mo.  He was a CPA, and she taught at St. Helena High School, but they quickly gravitated to wine.  Using purchased grapes, they produced their first homemade Merlot in 1983.  Their 1985 wine was bottled in 1987 and after consulting the attorney representing the estate of Marilyn Monroe, they decided on the name Marilyn Merlot.  They eventually hammered out a licensing contract, which allowed them to use the photo reproductions on the labels and gave exclusive rights to the brand name.  As of 1997, the Holders shifted from purchasing bulk wine to purchasing grapes.  The wine is made at the Napa Wine Co., with fruit from three sources: the Yount Mill Vineyard in Yountville, the Beckstoffer Vineyard X in Oakville and the Beckstoffer Melrose Vineyard in Rutherford.  Cabernet Sauvignon makes up about 15 percent of the blend.

2003 Marilyn Merlot, Napa

List price 35.00; today only 21.99

Sam Shaw, Marilyn’s favorite photographer and a lifelong confidant, shot this photograph of Marilyn used on the label. When asked about Sam Shaw, Marilyn said, “He always makes me look my best”.  The addition of Cabernet adds greater complexity to the nose and more structure to the mouth.  This wine was barrel aged using 30% new wood to enhance the aromas of vanilla and roasted coffee.  The fruity aromas and flavors are ripe and soft reflecting the maturity and quality of the grapes.

2004 Marilyn Merlot, Napa

List price 29.50; today only 21.99

The 2004 Vintage of Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The winemaker’s typical use of 25% new oak barrels each year gives aromas of toasted vanilla beans and a more complex mouth feel from the new oak tannins.  The fruit flavors are soft and ripe.

2005 Marilyn Merlot, Napa

List price 24.25; today only 21.99

This is a very dark ruby wine.  Pleasant aromas offer the standard profile for New World Merlot: juicy black cherries dark chocolate and a whiff of vanilla.  Ripe and fruit-forward the first taste follows the nose; luscious and almost soft but it gains structure from fresh mouth-watering acidity and gentle but perceptible tannins.

2006 Marilyn Merlot, Napa

List price 24.25; today only 21.99

The photo of Marilyn in a daringly low-cut dress was taken in 1958, and the dress is believed to be the one she wore at the debut announcement of Some Like It Hot.  The toasted oak gives the wine a more complex mouth feel, especially from the new oak tannins.  The fruit flavors are soft and mature.  Wines & Spirits rated the wine 90 points: “A big, rich red with tart cherry flavors and sweet tannins, finishing clean.

2007 Marilyn Merlot, Napa

List price 24.25; today only 21.99

The 23rd vintage features Marilyn with a sultry look only she could master and wearing a white low cut dress draped off of one shoulder.  Following the consistent pattern, the wine is soft and elegant, with nice spice notes and easy gong tannins.

2008 Marilyn Merlot, Napa

List price 24.25; today only 21.99

The striking and glamorous image of Marilyn Monroe in a purple, shoulder less cocktail dress is from photos done for the release of The Asphalt Jungle in 1950, a film noir classic for which John Huston was nominated for an Oscar and in which Marilyn plays to perfection her role as the mistress of a crooked attorney.

Saturday, April 3, 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

Join us Saturday for a visit to the Napa Valley, or in the least, a visit to the wines of Napa Valley.  These are all newly arrived examples of the wine maker’s art from 3 different wineries.  Louis Martini’s wines from Napa are excellent, as are the wines of William Hill.  The Reserves from Napa Ridge are in the best buy category, are far better than their regular line, and offer wonderful value at these prices.

2007 William Hill Estate Winery Chardonnay, Napa

List price 23.99; our price 18.95

Put this one in the apple pie a la mode style of Chardonnay, often referred to as the California style.  The nose reveals elegant aromas of creamy vanilla, honeysuckle and ripe fruit of white peach, apple and pear.  It is full bodied and rich with refined acidity that is maintained through the full fruit and vanilla focused finish.  This buttery wine displays excellent balance between the, acid and spicy oak.

2006 Napa Ridge Merlot, Reserve, Napa

List price 15.00; our price 9.99

Beringer Vineyards sold its Napa Ridge brand for $42 million to Bronco Wine Company in April 2000.  Vintners from the valley feared the Franzias would flood the market with cheap wines from cheap grapes using the Napa name on the label.  But Franzia took an unexpected step; he started selling wine from Napa Valley fruit and created the Reserve line that we are to taste today.  No one will confuse this with $20 Merlots but at $9.99 it deserves our attention.

2006 William Hill Estate Winery Merlot, Napa

List price 23.99; our price 18.95

The aromas are a combination of ripe black cherry, red berries, plums, mocha and licorice accented by smoky, spicy oak.  The bright flavors show red fruit in the mouth, with soft tannins and a long, supple finish.  I love the combination of red berry fruit aromas with plum, red cherry, raspberry, mocha, and spice.  There are hints of chocolate and blueberry as well.

2006 Napa Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa

List price 15.00; our price 9.99

Foremost in this wine is the black berry fruit element with an interesting spicing adding to the straight forward Cab character.  In the mouth, the wine is medium and round with tannins exerting their presence without being strident.

2006 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, Napa

List price 25.00; our price 19.99

The blend in this wine is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 2% Syrah and 1% Petite Verdot.  It exhibits a deep garnet color with intense aromas of ripe cherry, cassis, and cedar.  Concentrated flavors of ripe plums, and dark Bing cherries marry perfectly with the oak nuances.  This is a well structured wine that is balanced with firm, velvety tannins which culminate in a long, elegant finish with hints of cedar and dried herbs.

2006 William Hill Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

List price 25.00; our price 19.99

This Cab is made in an elegant and refined style with cherry, blackberry, and clove aromas which continue through to the mouth, adding intricate notes of cedar and spice.  This medium to full bodied wine possesses integrated tannins which are complemented by the finesse inherent in the fruit and the cedary spice from the elegant French oak.

Saturday, February 13, 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

Since the mid-1970s the Grgich name has been associated with some the best wines coming from California’s Napa Valley.  In March 2008, founder Mike Grgich was inducted into the Vintner Hall of Fame to honor his many contributions to the American wine business.  If you haven’t met Mike Grgich, the opportunity awaits you this Saturday.  Drop by and sample the winery’s offering while chatting with Mike and his area sales rep, Melanie Kemp Lewis.  In addition to the many years of excellence in winemaking at his Napa Valley property Mike will forever be immortalized as the man who made the 1973 Chardonnay for Chateau Montelena that shook up the wine world, and especially France, by taking first place in a California vs. France taste-off in 1976.  The French are still seething over that fiasco.

2007 Grgich Hills Estate Fumé Blanc, Napa

List price 29.95; our price 26.75

Pure aromas of tropical fruit, melon grapefruit and lemon grass are supported by a hint of minerality.  The full mouthfeel and concentrated flavors make it the ideal wine with a goat cheese salad, smoked salmon, sautéed mussels or by itself as an apéritif.

2007 Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay, Napa

List price 42.00; our price 37.50

Following the classic style that Mike Grgich established when he began in 1977, the Chardonnay was not allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation, thereby creating a wine that is alive with balanced acidity.  This Biodynamically farmed Chardonnay is rich with aromas of ripe peach, mango and tropical flowers, plus a note of minerality.  Its elegance will show well with fresh seafood, roasted chicken, grilled pork, or creamy cheeses.

2005 Grgich Hills Estate Merlot, Napa

List price 42.00; our price 37.50

Estate grown means the grapes came entirely from the winery’s own vineyards, so that the winemaker can exercise total control of the quality from the vine to the bottle.  This is a full-bodied Merlot with rich aromas and flavors of ripe cherry and black berries with hints of cedar and spice.  A Cabernet lovers’ Merlot, the wine’s solid structure promises it will gain in complexity and silkiness with age.

2006 Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel, Napa

List price 35.00; our price 31.50

The 2006 Zinfandel comes from the winery’s biodynamically farmed vineyards and is co-fermented with 5% Petite Sirah for added depth of flavor and structure.  Aged in large oak casks, this Zin has well-integrated oak nuance that doesn’t overpower the classic zinfandel aromas and flavors of red and black fruit and black pepper.  A great food wine, it would be the perfect accompaniment to pizza, or hamburgers, or hot dogs…or picnic fare of any kind.

2005 Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

List price 59.95; our price 53.50

The 2005 Grgich Cab comes from Mike’s carefully tended vines, predominantly from Yountville, though some Rutherford and Calistoga fruit balances out the blend.  The bottle packs a lot of class, with anise, black plum and currant fruit and a spike of peppery spice on the finish.  Acid, fruit and tannin are all in harmony here.  Wine Spectator gave the wine a 92-point rating: “Savory herb and ripe currant, berry and plum aromas are firm and intense.  Full-bodied and well-structured, with the tannins gaining traction on the finish.  Rustic but balanced. Best from 2010 through 2016.”

Saturday, November 28, 2009

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

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

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

In the spring of 2003, Jim Borsack and his partner Duffy Keys formed B Cellars, a first-rate wine company predicated upon two absolute principles: first, to produce exceptional artisan wines, season after season, by employing a multi-vineyard strategy, and second, to develop distinct flavors by blending wines from mutually complementary varietals. Not long after, they met the third key player, Kirk Venge named “One of the Top 20 New Winemakers in the World” by Food & Wine Magazine (October 2005). Kirk brought with him a 37 year winemaking legacy via his father, Nils, and a keen understanding of the Napa appellation, as you will learn on Saturday. The B Cellars name and logo stand for a commitment to excellence. The letter ‘b’ and the degree symbol º refer to BRIX, a wine term which defines the optimal sugar/alcohol content in grape juice that indicates the potential for greatness.

2008 B Cellars Blend 23, Napa

List price 30.00; our price 26.75

This fresh white blend of Sauvignon Blanc (50%), Chardonnay (32%) and Viognier (18%) possesses a brilliant voluminous mélange of lemon citrus, orange blossom and rose water aromas. On the palate are copious amounts of vibrant tropical fruit, citrus flavors which are bound by a touch of minerality, honeysuckle, subtle oak and acid structure. The wine was barrel fermented for perfect acidity, structure and balance.

2006 B Cellars Blend 24, Napa

List price 45.00; our price 39.95

This blend represents the best of premium Cabernet (59%), Petite Sirah (6%), Syrah (5%) and the noble Sangiovese (30%). It is forward in flavor and rustic in style with aromas of bright red cherry, cola berries, and spice box. The bounty of aromatics leads to flavors of hard red candy, blackberry and hints of minerality. The mid-palate is complex and is supported by muscular tannins. Old world in several respects, this wine should age well over the next 8 years.It received a 91 point rating from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

2006 B Cellars Blend 25, Napa

List price 55.00; our price 48.95

This seductive, round and very flavorful wine is a blend of 62% Cabernet and 38% Syrah. Sensations of blackberry, ripe black cherry, black olives and roasted coffee dominate the nose; followed by plush maraschino cherries, barrel vanillin and a wide array of black fruit aromatics. The palate is packed with black fruit, enveloped in round tannins and plenty of structure. Rich flavors of cassis, black fruit and cocoa are revealed in layers, with a dose of toasty vanilla on the lengthy finish. Balanced, generous, smooth and polished this blend will age well over the next 8-10 years. It was award a 91 point rating in the Robert Parker Wine Advocate.

2006 B Cellars Syrah, Napa

List price 45.00; our price 39.95

Delicious notes of stewed plums, candied black fruit and baked cherry pie are laden with sweet oak and briary undertones. A stunning and broad palate with firm and consistent flavors of black stone fruit, dried currants and minerality; this wine possesses bright and complex tannins making it cellar worthy for 8-10 years. Only 175 cases were produced.

2006 B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa

List price 45.00; our price 39.95

The grapes for this amazing Cab hail from Pelissa vineyard – a very old dry farmed, organically maintained vineyard originally owned by BV and responsible for many of Georges de Latour Reserve Cabernets. This single vineyard designate Cabernet is a beautiful mélange of blueberry, a hint of cola, cedar spice and white pepper on the nose. The palate is layered with candied fruit, fresh vanilla crème and a touch of smoke. This wine is marked by fresh acidity and the tannins are present on the back palate to accompany the long lasting finish.

2005 B Cellars Blend 26 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

List price 99.00; our price 88.00

Napa Valley’s most prestigious vineyards- Tokalon, Georges III & Stagecoach – deliver a Cabernet haute mélange of Reserve quality. This voluminous wine shows layers of black cherry, blackberry and a touch of barrel vanillin and espresso bean on the nose. The palate is rich and muscular with dark fruits, currants and cassis. The finish is long and elegant exuding the sophistication of a carefully crafted wine. Both structured and generous this wine has considerable aging potential. It received 90 points in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Limited 500 case production.

Saturday, August 29, 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

The North Coast Counties of California produce some of the world’s most elegant wines…and a lot of really fun wines, as well.  We have chosen for this Saturday’s tasting event a most entertaining sampling of precisely these kinds of wines.  We’ll start in Mendocino, and move on to Sonoma and Napa Counties.  The choices are of excellent value and two of these little gems have won some very prestigious awards.  Added attraction: once again we will be pairing our wines with the superlative cupcakes made by Sisters Cupcakes by Design.  Their visits have been remarkably popular.

Scharffenberger Brut Sparkling Wine, Mendocino
List price 18.99; our price 15.99
This Scharffenberger Brut is a blend of two-thirds pinot noir and one-third chardonnay. The predominance of the pinot noir creates a sparkling wine that is fruit forward with noticeable aromas of strawberry/raspberry and some plum notes.  The Chardonnay expresses itself with subtle tropical flavors of pineapple with pear.  All of the fruit for Scharffenberger Brut undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation, making the wine rich with complex flavors and a round, lengthy finish.

2007 Dry Creek Fumé Blanc, Sonoma
List price 13.50; our price 9.99
At first swirl, this Fumé Blanc presents intense aromas of lemon-lime, ruby grapefruit and fresh cut grass.   After a couple of minutes in the glass, more subtle hints of kiwi and guava begin to reveal a complex wine.  On the palate, it is truly delicious with excellent viscosity and length showing more fresh fruit flavors and very balanced acidity.  The Sonoma County Harvest Fair awarded this wine a Gold Medal, Best of Class AND the Sweepstakes Award for white wines.  It has been out of stock in Northern California and will be likewise here soon.

2005 Marcelina Chardonnay, Napa
List price 22.95; our price 14.99
Cooler Napa vineyards down near Carneros along San Pablo Bay give this wine its delicate fruit and acid structure.  The entire batch of wine went into French oak barrels for aging.  It is very pleasant on the nose, with flavors and aromas of apple, pear and citrus.  The oak influence comes up gently in little accents of sweet oak.

2007 Martin Ray Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sonoma
List price 13.50; our price 9.99
After crushing, the grapes (80% Syrah and 20% Grenache) were “cold-soaked” for six hours to concentrate the color and flavors from the skins.  The (“saignée”) juice was then drained off and fermented at cool temperatures with Rhone yeasts in stainless steel for 3 months, but received no malolactic fermentation.  This rosé has a vibrant raspberry color and fragrant aromas of tropical peaches, cherry and a hint of violets and vanilla.  Fresh, lively flavors of kiwi/strawberry, raspberry and cherry are abundant in this medium-bodied dry wine with excellent acidity and a nice, easy finish.

2005 Rancho Zabaco “Dancing Bull” Zinfandel, Sonoma
List price 7.99; our price 5.99
Dancing Bull is the lighter side of Rancho Zabaco: brighter, more fruit forward and the perfect quaffing wine.  It is big on black cherry and raspberry flavors which are tempered with the peppery spice that is Zinfandel.  At this price you can use it to put out the flames of the barbeque.

Trentadue “Old Patch Red”, Sonoma
List price 14.00; our price 11.50
This wine is a field blend of 70% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, 5.5% Carignane & 4.5% Syrah from Trentadue’s Geyserville Winery.  The bouquet displays jammy strawberry, cherry, earth, some spice and just a hint of vanilla.  It has a velvety mouthfeel and is quite extracted, but not overly so.  The big, dark fruit flavors are slightly sweet, with a little earthiness and some touches of warm spice.  The solid tannin core gives the wine body.  The Sonoma County Harvest Fair gave this wine a Gold Medal and the Best of Class award.  If you are interested in this wine, stock up now while it is still available.

Saturday, July 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

Besides the fine wines being produced at Gallo Sonoma Winery, the parent company has purchased other California wineries and continues the tradition of making fine wines at these venerable properties, as well.  Most are recognizable, such as Louis Martini, Rancho Zabaco, MacMurray Ranch, Bridlewood Estate, Frei Brothers and Mirassou Winery.  We have received the latest vintages from these wineries and will be showing them off this Saturday.  Representing Gallo at our event will be Market Specialist, Debbie Pellkofer.  She is a font of information on all these properties and will cheerfully answer any questions while pouring some excellent examples of the winemaker’s art.

2006 Bridlewood Chardonnay, Monterey County
List price 11.99; our price 9.99
This aromatic Chardonnay displays ripe aromas and pure flavors of nectarine, Mandarin oranges and fresh apples.  Notes of vanilla and spice lead to a rich mid-palate structured with a lime and mineral finish.  Excellent value-priced wine.

2007 MacMurray Ranch Pinot Gris, Sonoma Coast
List price 18.95; our price 14.99
This Pinot Gris (or Pinot Grigio) possesses an expressive fruit-forward character, exhibiting rich aromas of fig and white peach.  The bright aromas and complex varietal characters of citrus and elements of spice add both weight and interest to the wine.  The flavors of peach, spicy pear and citrus are melded together in a rich core, resulting in a round mouthfeel which complements its crisp, clean finish.

2007 MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir, Central Coast
List price 19.95; our price 14.99
Here is an affordable introduction to the cool-climate wonders of Central Coast Pinot Noir, specifically, the Santa Lucia Highlands.  It is a clean, red-fruited wine with hints of cola sweet spices that carry from the nose to the palate.  Also noticeable are elements of vanilla, clove, cherries and cranberries.  It is easy to drink and a bargain as well.

2006 Bridlewood Syrah, Central Coast
List price 14.99; our price 11.50
The wine opens with aromas of smoke, cedar, and chocolate leading to bright cherry fruit framed with spicy oak.  As it evolves, a nose of dark fruits and violet flowers gives way to dark chocolate.  On the palate, this wine shows rich flavors of blackberry, dark cherry and sweet brown spice with a hint of mocha.  It is full of soft, chewy tannins, proceeding through a long, clean finish.

2007 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
List price 14.95; our price 10.75
The nose is packed with layers of caramel, cinnamon, candy and hints of mint, with a prevalence of fruit over oak.  Also, there are sweet aromas of black currants, licorice, and cedar.  This is a spicy, full-flavored wine, with good body, fruit and firm tannins ending with an engaging, strong finish.

2005 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa County
List price 21.95; our price 16.75
This fine Cab exhibits a deep garnet, color with intense aromas of cedary oak, currents and black cherries.  Concentrated flavors of ripe plums, chocolate and tobacco marry perfectly with the oak nuances.  It is a well structured wine that is balanced with firm, velvety tannins that culminate in a long, elegant finish.  It received a Double Gold at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and a 91 point rating from Wine and Spirits Magazine.

2007 Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel, Sonoma Heritage Vines, Sonoma
List price 15.95; our price 11.99
Rancho Zabaco was one of the original Mexican land grants in Northern Sonoma.  This Zin specialist has produced a blend of 90.4% Zinfandel, 6.1% Petite Sirah and 2.5% Syrah that explodes with loads of ripe raspberry flavors; long and round in the aftertaste.  It delivers an abundance of black fruits and spice, demonstrating the classic and distinctive characteristics of Zinfandel.  The soft, plumy, and jammy flavors and textures make this wine not only approachable, but also versatile, allowing it to be paired with a wide range of foods.

2007 Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel Reserve, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma
List price 18.95; our price 15.50
This wonderful Zin has a richly fragrant nose of ripe, sweet spiced blackberries, concentrated cherries and sweet stony minerals.  It is mouth-filling, ripe, and full, with concentrated fruit and very good balance for such a ripe wine.  It has a very long, spicy, richly-fruited finish, with a bit of gravel making showing through at the end.  There is a fair amount of soft tannins to add a bit of structure.

Saturday, May 30, 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 may specialize in California wines but it is always instructive to experience what Oregon and Washington are doing.  So, this Saturday we are pulling from recent arrivals and providing a thumb-nail sketch of varietals and styles along the Pacific coast.  All are different varietals with one exception: a red blend of five grapes from the state of Washington.

2007 King Estate Pinot Gris, Oregon
Regular price 17.95; our price 12.99
My favorite Pinot Gris from King Estate is the Domaine bottling which sells for over $20.00 and is spectacular.  However, the Signature Collection being poured today is no slouch.  Enjoying an 89-point rating, the wine offers a bouquet of ripe peach, sweet grapefruit, orange blossom and tropical fruit.  In the mouth, the wine is lively and tasting of citrus/tropical fruit, kiwi and pear.  The long, cool growing season allowed for balanced acid with a nice mouth-coating texture.

2007 Columbia Winery Cellarmaster’s Riesling, Washington
Regular price 11.95; our price 9.99
This wine is almost clear in color as Rieslings have very little pigment and are generally tank fermented.  The grapes for this wine were selected because of their higher acidity, which emphasizes the apricot, peachy flavors and creates a good match for strong cheeses, desserts or extremely spicy/Asian foods.  The aroma is floral with hints of peach, quince, lime and clove.  It has rich and full-flavored fruit on the palate and is balanced by refreshing, crisp acidity.

2006 Montevina Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Regular price 9.99; our price 7.99
This wine offers ripe cherry aromas, complex flavors, silky tannins and some age potential.  It is forward with wild currant and plum flavors as well as hints of allspice and dark chocolate on the palate.  Nice for the price.

2006 Napa Cellars Merlot, Napa Valley
Regular price 18.95; our price 14.99
Move south a little in the valley where the San Pablo Bay cools the vineyards in the afternoon and you have perfect Merlot weather.  The majority of this blend hails from these cooler regions in Napa Valley, such as Oak Knoll and Carneros.  This wine is classic Napa Valley Merlot with a deep ruby-red color; aromas of tart red cherry with hints of black tea and cinnamon-vanilla spice joining the supple tannins on the palate.

2006 Three Rivers Winery River’s Red, Washington
Regular price 15.00; our price 12.99
Five grapes formed this Columbia Valley blend: Syrah 48%, Cabernet Sauvignon 23%, Cabernet Franc 18%, Malbec 9% and Petit Verdot 2%.  It earned 89-points in Wine Spectator: “On the lighter side, but shows nicely focused blueberry and plum fruit, typical of Syrah with a bit more restraint, and firm tannins to lift the finish. Drink now through 2011.”

2007 Frei Brothers Zinfandel, Reserve, Dry Creek Valley
Regular price 19.95; our price 15.99
By 1895, Andrew Frei was producing 20,000 cases of high quality wine stored in huge redwood casks.  In 1903, Frei turned the business over to his two sons, Walter and Louis and the winery was officially named Frei Bros.  In the 1930’s, Julio Gallo entered a deal with the Frei brothers to buy all the wine they could produce.  Knowing the fine potential of the property, E. & J. Gallo Winery bought the winery in 1978.  The quality level has never wavered since.  Robert Parker rated the wine at 90 points: “A super bargain, the deep ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Zinfandel exhibits a spicy, flowery bouquet of blue and red fruits, gritty/robust flavors, abundant fruit, and an exuberant, lively finish with no hard edges. The alcohol is relatively restrained for a Zinfandel, and the wine is seamlessly constructed. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. One of the best value producers in the Gallo empire is the Frei Brothers Reserve.” (12/08)

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, April 18, 2009
4 to 6 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, December 10, 2008
4 to 6 pm

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

We consider ourselves fortunate to be visited by the grand master vintner of Napa Valley, Mike Grgich.  Today he will discuss his wines and any other subject you care to bring up, including the famous taste-off between the best wines of California versus the best of France which took place in 1976.  The winemaker for the number 1 Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena was Mike, himself.  Try the current releases and perhaps even have Mike sign a bottle for you.

2007 Grgich Hills Estate Fume Blanc, Napa
26.75
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc was made from grapes that were certified organic and Biodynamic® at the cool American Canyon and Carneros vineyards, not far from the San Francisco Bay.  Complex and rich, this wine is packed with layers of tropical aromas including white peaches, grapefruit and lemon oil.  With its crisp, refreshing texture, hint of mineral and long finish, this versatile, flavorful white wine is a great companion to grilled shrimp, lemon risotto or a refreshing salad.

2006 Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay, Napa
37.50
This is the first vintage that Mike’s Chardonnay vineyards were certified organic and Biodynamic.  Beautifully balanced between acid, flavors and body, this Chardonnay displays notes of lemon zest, flowers and honey with a hint of crushed stones.  The wine’s elegance will shine by matching it with simple preparations of baked halibut, roasted chicken, grilled shrimp or pork, or pasta with a light cream sauce.

2006 Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel, Napa
31.50
Grown at the estate vineyard in Calistoga, nestled in northern tip of Napa Valley, Mike’s Zinfandel grapes are certified organic and Biodynamic®.  The wine’s classic Zinfandel aromas and flavors of strawberries and raspberries are backed by hints of allspice and black pepper.  The appealing fruit, soft tannins and medium body make it a perfect partner with grilled meats, thin crust pizza and pastas with tomato sauce.

2004 Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
53.50
The Yountville vineyard, which began farming biodynamically in 2003, supplies the main body of this Napa Valley blend.  Nicely balanced between fruit and tannin, this elegant wine is rich with aromas of black cherry, crushed rose petals and cocoa powder.  This full bodied wine goes well with roasted meats, grilled Portobello mushrooms or a firm cow’s milk cheese such as Edam or Gouda.