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

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611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

The Zinfandel grape is planted in over 10 percent of California vineyards and was probably the first European grape to arrive here in the mid 19th century. DNA fingerprinting revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski, which we will be attempting to pronounce on Saturday. It appears in Italy as the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in Puglia and Campania where it was introduced in the 18th century. Zinfandel produces a robust red wine with red berry flavors such as raspberry. The earlier ripening Primitivo clone shows flavors of blackberry, anise and pepper. Of course, there can always be variations to the rule. Would you believe White Zinfandel has six times the sales of red Zinfandel in the United States?

2009 Poggio Basso Primitivo, Puglia

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

This rich yet elegant Primitivo has a fresh scent of blackberry with a hint of spicy currant. Flavors of blackberry, cherry and raspberry with a hint of spice play alongside an earthy core. Soft, sweet tannins and acidity with no oak influence make this an easy to like food friendly wine, or simply sip it on its own.

2009 Plungerhead Zinfandel, Old Vine, Lodi

List price 14.99; our price 9.99

This lovely Lodi Zinfandel is sealed with the inventive new Zork enclosure (a cork that needs no corkscrew: just pull at the z, unwind, and pop the top). The warm, often hot, climate of Lodi is particularly suited for producing good Zinfandel, a hearty grape that loves the sun and needs plenty of it to ripen to full-bodied, spiced plum perfection. This is your last opportunity to purchase this lovely Zin at the temporary low pricing.

2008 Feudi Primitivo di Manduria, Campania

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

Millennia worth of eruptions from Mount Vesuvius have left the sandstone soils rich with deposits of volcanic ash, a combination that seems to suit grapevines extremely well. The vineyards of Feudi, including a small portion which is pre-phylloxera, produce imposing and elegant wines. This one shows nice medium earthy notes intermixed with wild berries, blueberries and spice. In the mouth it is silky, with nice blueberry notes, a bit jammy, but not hot, not herbal or brambly. It is juicy with wild berries, nicely balanced with good acidity and a nice spicy finish. A perfect burger wine.

2008 Two Angels “Angel’s Secret” Zinfandel, Lake County

List price 17.95; our price 14.99

This Zin comes from a rocky hillside vineyard that sits at 1,500 feet above sea level near Clear Lake in Lake County. The juice ages in oak barrels for 10 months and comes from the bottle brambly and fresh, with black pepper and just a touch of cookie spice. It is a robust, spicy Zinfandel made for current drinking. It is dry and full-bodied, with blackberry, black currant, oatmeal raisin cookie and pepper flavors.

2009 Leone de Castris Primitivo di Manduria, ‘Villa Santera”

List price 19.95; our price 17.99

This is a rich red bursting with varietal character. Red fruit, licorice, spiced ginger, flowers and vanilla emerge with a lovely feel of sweetness, adding complexity to the dense, expressive fruit. It has a long silky finish. Wine Advocate liked it enough to give it a 90-point rating.

2008 Michael-David Seven Deadly Zins Zinfandel, Lodi

List price 16.50; our price 14.99

Actually seven growers from Lodi provided the fine old vine fruit for this perennially wonderful Zinfandel. The layered complexity of this fanciful blend is immediately apparent from the entry of soft, supple pepper and licorice-clove notes to the merge of deep, brambly blackberries and cherries. The finish is clean on the palate with hints of rich vanilla, cocoa, and mild tannins.

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

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

Join us this Saturday for yet another excursion through the Italian wine country. Truth is, Italian wines are arriving faster than I can get them to you to taste. Of course, taking a Saturday off for our daughter’s wedding slowed us down a bit, and in ways you cannot imagine. Look forward to more events featuring that amazing wine besotted country. All the wines below are easy to drink, reasonably priced, and simply delicious. Italy never disappoints.

2010 Rocca di Montemassi “Calasole” Vermentino, Tuscany

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

This native grape of Italy is grown throughout the country including Sardinia. The Calasole comes to us from the south-western area of Tuscany called the Maremma. White flowers, with spicy notes and hints of just barely ripe fruit form the bouquet. In the mouth the wine is substantial yet fresh, with citrus hints and almond notes. Its pleasant freshness makes it an ideal accompaniment for crustaceans, shrimps and white fish.

2010 I Masoletti Pinot Grigio delle Venezie

List price 13.50; our price 11.50

This wine was crafted in the township of Lavis, where the vineyards stretch across Dell’Adige, up the hills of Sorni and Meano, and to the terraces of Valli di Cembra. How could you not want to be there to taste the wine at the source? Well, we can at least charm you with the wine, which is floral in aroma, fresh on the palate, fruitful in flavor and thirst-quenching in the finish. It is made in stainless steel tanks to capture the character of white flowers, roses, lemon, lime and apple. Try serving this one with prosciutto or seafood.

2009 Tenuta di Altavilla Greco di Tufo, Campania

List price 21.00; our price 18.99

Greco Bianco is a white grape variety of Greek origin which is grown in southern Italy. It is a sub-variety of Greco Nero. Campania’s secret treasures lie high up in the hills behind the towering volcano of Vesuvius. Cool climate growing conditions allow the Greco grape to develop an amazing array of aromas. Old vines provide the unique grapes for this wine which lends to aromas of apricots, peaches and a nutty character akin to almonds. This is an elegant, yet rich, wine offering a long complex finish with a surround of minerals.

2009 Castello d’Albola Chianti, Tuscany

List price 13.50; our price 10.99

This winery’s Chianti Classico placed #47 on Wine Spectator’s list of the Top 100 of 2010. It should come as no surprise that the plain Chianti is a delicious alternate though not so big as the Classico. From the fruity bouquet to the cherry-like flavors with cedary tones, the wine is a joy to drink. It goes well with grilled meats, cold cuts, burgers, cacciatore dishes and, of course, pizza.

2009 Masseria Altemura “Sasseo” Primitivo del Salento, Puglia

List price 18.00; our price 14.99

Primitivo is Italy’s way of saying “Zinfandel”, and yet the two are quite distinct from one another. This wine of Puglia shows smoky cola and plum flavors, some intriguingly briary notes, but also veers toward prune and cooked fruit. The wine has good body, yet is soft, while expressing a mature fruitiness, supported by a pleasant complex of sweet tannins. With its crisp acidity, expect it to pair well with tomato-based sauces, richly-flavored dishes, barbecued meats and fairly mature cheeses.

Cocchi Americano Bianco, Asti, Piedmont

List price 27.50; our price 24.50

The recipe for this apéritif wine of has not changed since it was introduced in 1891. It is a white wine blended with fruit, herbs and spices. What shows through the most is the citrus character along with gentian and cinchona (quinine). The mixture is allowed to steep for a year before filtering and bottling. In Piemonte it is served with ice, a slice of orange and a splash of soda to bring out all its fragrance and depth. Once opened, it keeps well in the refrigerator.

$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 August inventory close-out events offering an opportunity to taste and buy some outstanding wines at an additional 25% discount from already discounted prices. In September, we begin the purchasing of wines and accessories that will be our offering throughout the holidays so clearance of stock on hand is mandatory at this time. These sale prices will be available only on the Saturday on which they are offered, along with some sampling of the wines for your enjoyment. The 25% off discounted pricing will continue for one more week so if you cannot make it this Saturday you will have one more opportunity to pick up some fine wines drastically reduced; not to mention sipping some elegant wines while contemplating your purchases. Please be aware some wines blow out quite early.

2007 Jean Pabiot Pouilly Fumé, Pouilly-Sur-Loire, France

Our price 24.75; Saturday only 18.55

Over a hundred years ago, Jean Pabiot’s grandfather purchased and began planting grapes to the land that today is being overseen by Jean’s grandson, the fifth generation to work this land. This Pouilly-Fumé is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes from over 40 year old vines located near the village of Les Loges, on very pebbly limestone-clay terroir (at times up to 50% pebbles). The wine has brilliant, light golden color and a complex nose of minerals and smoke with notes of citrus fruit, vanilla and almond. It has an ample palate with an attractive silky texture and balance; a superb wine.

2006 Arrowood Chardonnay, Unfined, Sonoma Co.

Our price 19.99; Saturday only 14.99

Dick Arrowood, who was the original winemaker for Chateau St. Jean, has sold his winery but continues to consult there in order to insure consistency of style. The wine was barrel fermented and aged sur lies in French oak for 9 months. Secondary fermentation pushed the wine towards the tropical end of the spectrum yet maintaining the lightly toasty bouquet with touches of apple, peach, and baking spices. The palate is crisp and fresh with notable balanced acidity to keep the mouthfeel stimulating and lively.

2006 Napa Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley

Our price 9.99; Saturday only 7.50

In April 2000, Beringer Vineyards sold its Napa Ridge brand for $42 million to Bronco Wine Company, who then built a huge bottling plant in southern Napa County. The Napa Ridge brand is produced here with Napa grown grapes and primarily using used French oak barrels to age the wine. Winemaker Stashak regards the use of aged barrels mostly a plus. “It’s better to use used barrels to avoid over-oaking. There’s a tendency for winemakers in California to over oak, producing wines that are hard to drink and difficult to match with food”. This wine has a rich concentrated character with black cherry and plum elements at its center. Hints of vanilla along with herbaceous juniper and mint finish the profile.

2007 Gran Sasso Primitivo, Puglia, Italy

Our price 9.99; Saturday only 7.50

Italian Primitivo is thought to be related to American Zinfandel of California after being cut from root stock in Croatia. In Italy it is harvested early to preserve acidity and keep a lower alcohol content. This wine has aromas of star anise with bright cherry and cranberry fruit. On the palate the wine displays a mouthful of rich chocolate combined with a weighty (almost thick) ripeness. While many Italian Primitivo’s exhibit an earthiness that represents terroir, this one is fruit driven.

2005 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Primitivo, North Coast, California

Our price 12.99; Saturday only 9.75

Primitivo has certain characteristics that make it unique from other clones of Zinfandel. Mainly it has small berries on a fairly large, loose cluster, is less susceptible to rot than other clones and ripens more uniformly than other Zin clones.
Primitivo is grown primarily in Puglia, Italy. This Primitivo comes from a hillside vineyard in Lake County situated in the North Coast appellation. The vineyards are located in rolling hills and the grapes are planted in well drained soil. The nurturing heat ripens this vineyard just right so that the grape retains its great acidity and flavor for which this varietal is best known. This Primitivo is ruby red, has concentrated strawberry and cranberry flavors and a rich velvety mouth feel.

2006 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Celestus, Paso Robles

Our price 29.99; Saturday only 22.50

Daniel and Georges Daou left their native France to attend UCSD, where they graduated with degrees in electrical and computer engineering. After college, the enterprising brothers formed DAOU Systems, where they developed intranet technologies for hospitals. Highly successful, they turned to their interest in wine which is developing very nicely. The Celestus is a blend of 80% Cabernet, 15% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot. It was aged in French oak barrels for 16 months. The nose exudes raspberry, red plums, dark cherry, sandalwood, anise, lavender and roses. It is dry with a strong tannin backbone and hints of plum, anise and rose petal. It is multi layered and complex with a long finish.

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

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

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Recent “DNA” testing has shown Primitivo to possess the exact same genetic make up as our Zinfandel. Interestingly though, both varieties origins are tracked back to Croatia and are mutated from the Crljenak varietal. And while the grapes may be identical in theory, the wines they produce have distinct differences. Primitivo’s home province is Apuglia (also called Puglia), located in the “heel” of Italy’s boot.

Wines made from Primitivo have notes of plum and spice, like Zinfandel, but because of different growing soils and climate, the fruit character is less jammy, the structure more akin to old world wines, with rustic notes of earth and spice, as well as tamed fruit flavors. Most likely the Croatian vines were brought to Italy by the Greeks, but we know the Zinfandel we know and love came to the United States in 1820, when New York nurseryman George Gibbs carried back various cuttings from the Imperial Austrian plant species collection.

Over the next two decades, Zinfandel became a popular table grape in the Northeast U.S. Although there are some commercial claims that Agoston Haraszthy (who founded Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma) brought Zinfandel to California, records show that a Massachusetts nurseryman introduced it here. In either case, Zinfandel is now considered indigenous to California, where it has thrived since the mid-1850′s.

2006 A. Mano Primitivo, Puglia

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

This all Primitivo grape wine from Puglia is made from 70-100 year-old, hand-cultivated, low-yielding vines. A. Mano (meaning “made by hand”) is a fruit-packed, food-friendly, modern wine, an excellent value and a great alternative to American Zinfandel. It pairs exceedingly well with a variety of dishes – grilled meats, rich pastas, spicy foods and barbecue.

2007 Gran Sasso Primitivo, Puglia

List price 14.50; our price 9.99

This example packs all of the fruit-driven ripeness fans of the grape expect, yet remains at all times light on its feet and fresh. The succulent, direct blueberry fruit is laced with notes of briar, gravel and spice, but has none of the thick, port like or oxidized elements so prevalent with so many examples of Primitivo out there.

2007 Layer Cake Primitivo, Puglia

List price 17.50; our price 14.99

The wine is opaque and purple-colored with a nose of jammy black cherry and blackberry fruit, truffles, tar, and spice. Warm and rich in the mouth; the ripe fruit is well supported by the depth of the structure.

2003 TerreD’uva Primitivo di Manduria

List price 18.00; our price 14.99

The concentrated nose presupposes rich red fruits and blueberries which are replicated in the mouth to our considerable satisfaction. The smooth expression in the mouth plays out to a long well-balanced finish. It stands up to strong cheeses.

Now to make it more interesting, here are two wines made from Primitivo grapes transplanted to California:

2005 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Primitivo, North Coast

List price 19.95; our price 12.99

This Primitivo comes from a hillside vineyard in Lake County. Compared to Zinfandel, the clone has certain characteristics that make it unique from other clones; mainly it has small berries on a fairly large, loose cluster. It is less susceptible to rot than other clones and ripens more uniformly. The wine is deep ruby red, has concentrated strawberry and cranberry flavors and a rich velvety mouth feel.

2006 Di Arie Primitivo Block #4, Shenandoah Valley

List price 28.00; our price 23.75

The winery was the brainchild of Chaim Gur-Arieh, a Turkish-born Israeli who came to the U.S. where he earned a degree in food science and later became famous as the inventor of Cap’n Crunch cereal (specifically, the formula that allowed it to remain crunchy in milk). Further, he invented a submerged-cap fermentation technique that maximizes extraction in his red wines by giving them more skin contact, submerging and gently moving the cap that forms on the surface of the tank during fermentation. This delicious wine shares many of the qualities of a top zinfandel. Rich, soft, with spicy fruit and a hint of black pepper, with plenty of fruit and none of the heaviness sometimes seen in wines from the Sierra foothills.