Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, April 9, 2011
4 to 5:30 pm

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited against 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

STOP #1: RAYMOND BURR VINEYARDS. We have returned from Sonoma County where visits were made to friends at wineries and B&B’s. Our trunk was filled with wine from small producers that generally are not seen in Southern California. One of my favorites is Raymond Burr Vineyards on West Dry Creek Road, near Healdsburg. We owned a restaurant in Cloverdale during the eighties which was frequented by Raymond Burr and his good friend Robert Benevides. They loved our continental cuisine and extensive wine selection and spent many an evening with Zola, who hosted and was manager of our restaurant, Zola’s. Originally, their wines were produced at Pedroncelli Winery with1990 being their first vintage. After 18 months in French and American oak cooperage, the wine was bottled in November, 1992, and released in 1995. The vineyards are planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. In addition, four Portuguese varietals are planted there because Bob and Raymond loved Port. The small rustic tasting room is a shrine to the Perry Mason character Raymond made famous and to the Ironsides role, as well. Raymond Burr didn’t want the vineyards named for him, but Bob felt this was a fitting memorial to his friend. The winemaker for these wines is the very talented Phyllis Zouzounis who spent years at Dry Creek Vineyards and Mazzocco Vineyards. She has her own brand, as well, and we will be pouring her Deux Amis Winery bottlings next week. Other Sonoma wines to be served, aptly supplement our selection.

2009 White Oak Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley

List price 14.99; our price 9.99

If you like Sauvignon Blanc, you should pay apt attention to this offering. Taste it and see if you agree that it is a fantastic buy at this price—not to be seen anywhere on the internet. Your experience begins with aromas of lichee, pear and orange zest with a hint of minerality. The flavors of this divine wine are lemon, Kiwi fruit, pear and Fuji apple. A hint of grapefruit and grassiness complete the wine. It finishes long with an enjoyable balance of acidity and fruit flavors.

2008 Raymond Burr Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley

List price 28.00; our price 22.00

The bouquet opens with a green apple scents along with a bright floral character. Add an attractive baked apple aroma with a note of toasted oak and before you even taste you sense why this wine won a GOLD MEDAL at the Orange County Wine Competition. The first tasting sensation is a full body with a creamy mouth feel. After the voluptuous entry, an easy dryness spreads across the palate, beginning at the rear and moving forward with a bright acidity and soft white spiced-minerals. Flowers, minerals and spice coat the mouth while holding flavors for a long time. It is well balanced, has a long finish and a pleasant after-taste. Only 416 cases were produced. It was totally barrel fermented, then put through ML.

2008 W. H. Smith Wines Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

List price 26.00; our price 23.75

Friend and winemaker Helen Turley inspired in Bill & Joan Smith (owners of historic La Jota Vineyards) the desire to try his hand at Pinot Noir. In 1992, under a new W. H. Smith Wines label, the Smiths released their first vintage of Sonoma County Pinot Noir. The goal was to produce Pinot Noirs that are classically styled with intense flavors, supple texture, and moderate alcohol. The 2008 is comprised of Swan, Pommard and La Tâche clones from 4 Sonoma Coast vineyards. The nose is fragrant, delicate and spicy, and suggests rose petals and Bing cherries. The wine shows concentration, bright acidity and that heavenly Pinot Noir silkiness. The strawberry and delicate cherry fruit flavors are medium-bodied, ending with a subtle finesse.

2008 Raymond Burr Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley

List price 38.00; our price 29.95

Like the gold medal winning 2007, the 2008 shows blackberry and chocolate in the nose with a hint of licorice. It is earthy and spicy in the mouth, has medium tannins and projects its lovely fruit to a dry, long finish. Phyllis Zouzounis does an amazing job with this varietal which simply does not get the recognition it deserves.

2008 Raymond Burr Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley

List price 38.00; our price 29.95

The bouquet is redolent with rich fruit scents expanding to a beautiful nose of blackberry and classic cassis. A touch of black cherry, with nuances of chocolate and blueberry rise above the concentrated fruit playing off of a hint of earthy overtones from the Dry Creek Valley terroir that Phyllis explores so well. It shows good structure, nice tannins, and a long finish encapsulated within a velvety texture.

2007 Kendall-Jackson Muscat Canelli, Santa Rosa

List price 14.00; our price 11.99

While in Santa Rosa we dropped in on the K-J tasting room at the former Chateau de Baun. This is a beautiful facility and an opportunity to try many amazing small-batch K-J wines that are not distributed. The Muscat Canelli displays a delightful mélange of citrus flavors such as tangerine and mandarin orange on the palate with notes of peach blossom, spices and pear. It is richly layered and balanced throughout. It has a pleasant off-dry and lingering finish.

Saturday, February 12, 2011
4 to 5:30 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 line of wine has been around only since 2004 and was originally part of Gallo’s Rancho Zabaco production. As Gallo was upgrading the Rancho Zabaco line (the Monte Rosso Vineyard Zin is around $35.00) it was decided to break away the low price level varietals and allow them to stand on their own. These are nicely made wines and constitute excellent value. Even the bottles are of heavier glass than many expensive wines and all but the Sauvignon Blanc are cork finished. Personally, I’d prefer all of these were screw capped, but I know how much “ceremony” is derived from the opening of a dinner wine. In any event, these are your quintessential barbeque or pizza wines.

Next week we will be joined by Mike Grgich for a tasting of his wines and for a bottle signing.

2009 Dancing Bull Sauvignon Blanc

List price 9.99; our price 7.99

The wine is crisp and clean with bright grapefruit tanginess balanced by tropical fruit and a hint of cut grass herbaceousness usually found in New Zealand wine. The nose is packed with aromas of green apple, lime, kiwi, with subtle notes of fresh cut grass. The mouth is very lively, with crisp acidity and focused grapefruit and lime freshness balanced by tropical flavors of guava and mango. Very nice.

2008 Dancing Bull Chardonnay

List price 9.99; our price 7.99

The winemaking goal was to make a dry Chardonnay that was both refreshingly crisp and balanced. This was accomplished through the use of Monterey County fruit that provided the natural, cool climate fruit flavors and nice acidity. Partial malolactic fermentation was employed to soften a portion of the green fruit flavors and create a smooth creaminess. The addition of Sauvignon Blanc and a touch of Viognier added some tropical flavors and a lovely fragrant nose. It displays primary flavors of citrus, tropical fruits, and apple typical of medium bodied Monterey County Chardonnay but these characters are then complimented by secondary flavors of pear, peach, melon and floral notes. Very subtle barrel influences of creamy, toasty and vanilla oak characters are also present from the partial fermentation of a very small portion of the wine in oak.

2007 Dancing Bull Merlot

List price 9.99; our price 7.99

Here’s more proof that you can have a big, lush, ripe wine without an over-the-top alcohol level. At 13.5% alcohol, this is a wine you can stick with during dinner. Merlot lovers will be right at home with the ripe flavors of dark fruit, blackberry and black cherry, with a bit of spice and a lush velvety finish. The ripe fruit is balanced by subtle hints of vanilla and milk chocolate.

2009 Dancing Bull Zinfandel

List price 9.99; our price 7.99

This wine showcases a soft mouthfeel, which makes this wine both approachable and versatile with plenty of ripe dark fruit flavors of blackberry and black cherry, complemented by bright red fruit flavors of raspberry and strawberry. Spicy notes of black pepper and vanilla add layers which allow the fruit to be the star. It pairs well with heavier sauced dishes such as braised pork ribs or pasta with a rich, tomato based sauce.

2008 Dancing Bull Cabernet Sauvignon

List price 9.99; our price 7.99

Sourced primarily from the Central Coast and Sonoma County, the fruit for this Cab is sourced from both warm and cool climate regions to produce a Cabernet Sauvignon with layers of fruit flavors, primarily of black cherries, black currant and blackberry. The Central Coast fruit benefits from warm days and the marine layer fog that cools the grapes in the evenings to create ripe, forward fruit flavors and the distinctive, Cabernet dark red color. The cooler climate of Sonoma County and the coastal regions adds structure, firm tannins and a bit of spice. A very small percentage of the wine was barrel aged, contributing the chocolate and vanilla undertones with just a hint of herbal spice.

ChocoVine Dutch Chocolate Wine

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

This chocolate cream wine product is actually quite good. Think Baileys, but with a 14% alcohol instead of 17%. It is made in Holland by Team Products, a division of Dekuyper, one of the oldest cordial manufacturers in the world. Try it.

Saturday, January 29, 2011
4 to 5:30 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 Leese-Fitch Adobe is a historical landmark built in 1836 in the town of Sonoma’s Plaza. It was named after Jacob Leese and Henry Fitch who were brothers-in-law to General Mariano Vallejo, the founder of the town of Sonoma. This label is from the Other Guys portfolio of Don Sebastiani and Sons which in 2005 was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Don and the boys have built up this operation to a total case production of over 2 million cases a year. We selected this line because it represents excellent value at the price.

2008 Leese-Fitch Chardonnay

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

This bleached straw colored wine has aromas of fresh squeezed Meyer lemons, lime zest, and minerals. The palate exudes mouthwatering crisp green apple, grapefruit, and lemongrass, finishing with rich acidity, integrated French oak, and a touch of spearmint. The 2008 harvest in Clarksburg produced great acid driven Chardonnays. The Chardonnay was assembled from three vineyard blocks; one in Northern Clarksburg for intense apple nuances, and two vineyards right off the delta. One of the vineyards on the delta using a trellis system called sprawl, grows an old Wente Chardonnay clone. This clone develops great lemon nuances with a creamy mid-palate. Part of the allure of this wine comes from blending in some Chenin Blanc from Clarksburg to preserve a mineral nature and rich acidity. Some Chardonnay from Paso Robles, and Monterey, along with a dab of Viognier from Paso, created a lovely bistro-style Chardonnay with good character and brilliant acidity.

2008 Leese-Fitch Pinot Noir

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

The wine displays ripe cherry and strawberry notes overlaying a complex mix of jasmine, clove, cinnamon and earthy spice notes. On the palate, the wine expresses fleshy Bing cherry flavors and textures framed by rich toffee and cola flavors, backed by sweet vanilla and toasted oak. The wine finishes with rose petal and candied violets with the sweet finish of dried cranberries, cherry vanilla and wild strawberry. This wine is 100% Monterey County Pinot Noir which was aged on oak for 9 months before gentle racking and fining. It presents nice oak flavors without being overly oaked, allowing the true Pinot Noir flavors to stand forward. This is a wine that pairs well with grilled flank steak or sautéed Salmon.

2009 Leese-Fitch Merlot

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

This crimson colored Merlot is offers dark chocolate aromas which are underscored by ripe huckleberry with a hint of cassis. On the palate the wine is concentrated with deep, dark fruit such as black cherry, boysenberry and blackberry pie notes. It finishes with white pepper spice and French oak vanilla notes.

2008 Leese-Fitch Zinfandel

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

With a brilliant ruby color, this Zinfandel blend has intriguing aromas of wild raspberry, smoky cedar, strawberry jam, clove spice, and white pepper. You can tell there is input from an old vineyard in the Amador Foothills. There is a noticeable brambly spice with dark currants, candied cranberry, wild strawberry, dark caramel, cinnamon roll, and savory rhubarb. The finish lingers with toasted marshmallow, plum sauce, tamarind, and black cherry. This is great grilling wine. The smoky oak notes of this Zin would pair wonderfully with the caramelized flavors in glazed ribs, chicken, or pork.

2009 Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

Deep ruby in color, this cab has aromas of roasted peppers, black cherries, savory dill, and toasted cedar. The palate is full of blackberry fruit, cherry reduction, orange marmalade, marjoram, and dark brown sugar. This blend has very good weight with layers of fruit balanced with mid-palate structure. The wine finishes with nuances of dark chocolate, dried cranberry, vanilla bean, and molasses with toasty French and American oak nuances.

Saturday, January 8, 2011
4 to 5:30 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

Congratulations to all who have survived the past year as well as the holidays and are now emerging from the aftermath. It is time to get back on track with our weekly wine regimen as the bottles keep arriving and the wine keeps flowing. Fortunately, ours is an intellectual pursuit in an effort to better understand grape growing, wine making and sensory perception; and not just be looking for a buzz. The next Saturday, the 15th, we will host the Kenneth Volk Vineyards and winery representative, Mike Brown. The following Saturday, the 22nd, we will be joined by Deborah Ellis of Fess Parker Winery. Please engrave these dates into your memory or at least scratch them onto your calendar. These are great wineries deserving of our rapt attention.

2007 Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Blanc, Alcace, France

List price 14.95; our price 12.99

Schlumberger makes this wine with equal proportions of two grape varieties : Pinot Blanc and Pinot Auxerrois. It is a dry wine combining the freshness of one with the aromatic qualities of the other. It is quite close to Chardonnay and is well-balanced, dry and fresh on the palate, with very attractive, fine fruit. This Alsatian wine is known for its suppleness, its emphatic fruitiness and its ability to easily go with a large range of dishes.

2008 White Oak Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley

List price 14.95; our price 9.99

Bill Myers moved from Los Angeles to the Alexander Valley in the 1970s and began making wine; he quickly became recognized for producing wonderful Chardonnay, Zinfandel and what was to become White Oak’s flagship wine: Sauvignon Blanc. It has typical grassy herbaceousness but performs more in the grapefruit genre. Even in the finish there is a slight expression of grapefruit bitterness. This is a very good food wine with a fresh, crisp finish.

2009 Pedroncelli Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

When we hosted the Pedroncelli Winery a few months back, we did not include the Chardonnay, a shameful omission we will correct here and now. While the refreshing citrus, melon and tropical fruit aromas and flavors predominate, the blend of the stainless steel fermented and barrel fermented cuveees adds both fruit-forward qualities and complexity. The wine finishes clean, crisp and light.

2008 Puerto Viejo Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile

List price 9.00; our price 7.99

This wine remained on its lees for six months in stainless steel vats with micro-oxygenation and with French oak staves; 15 percent of the wine was aged eight months in French and American oak barrels. It is a well-done, affordable Cabernet with all the qualities with a black-fruit bouquet, and showing ripeness, depth and solid tannins in the mouth. The flavor profile of cola, blackberry and chocolate works just fine, and the finish is long and hints at bitter chocolate and cedar.

2007 Boutari Xinomavro, Naoussa Greece

List price 18.00; our price 15.99

Boutari Naoussa was the first Grecian bottled wine available in Greece (1879) and is the benchmark among Greece’s premium red wines. It has won many awards over the last 50 years both in Greece and internationally. It is also the #1 selling premium red wine from Greece worldwide. It has typically a rich bouquet of ripe red fruit, blackberry and plum, together with sun-dried tomato and the aromas derived from ageing: cinnamon and wood. It has a rich body, good balance and structure, with soft tannins in its finish.

2007 Estancia Meritage Reserve, Paso Robles

List price 20.00; our price 16.99

he blend in this Meritage is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot. It is a deep violet wine with crimson edges. The bouquet shows ripe black cherries, licorice, mountain herbs, mocha and fine integrated oak. It is thick, deep and explosive. Chocolate dipped black fruit is enveloped in rich sweet oak. The firm, structured, ripe tannins accompany a long, fruit driven finish.

Saturday, December 11, 2010
4 to 5:30 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

It is definitely that time of year and what better selection could we offer than sparkling wines from California and from the Champagne district of France. Once again, Lisa Wherry will present an excellent array of wines from the Young’s portfolio to examine not only the stylistic differences between French and California sparklers, but between the grape blends that make up these bottlings, as well. Moreover, this is, simply put, a fun event and a great way to orient oneself towards the festive days ahead.

2007 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs, Napa

List price 29.95; our price 26.99

The aromas are sweet and inviting with fresh lemon and lime, followed by pineapple and green apple. The generous nose is accentuated by a salty minerality that leads way to the yeastiness of fresh-from-the-oven bread. It delivers delicious flavors of green apple, fresh honeydew melon and lemon custard. The palate finishes with a pleasant acidity that is crisp, long and lingering. It received 89 points from Wine Spectator

Taittinger Cuvée Prestige, Reims

List price 43.00; our price 39.99

Taittinger is the third oldest Champagne house, and the origins of the house can be traced back to 1734. The Taittinger headquarters are in Reims, situated above 4th century Roman cellars with miles of tunnels and cellars used in the aging process in making Champagne. The House style is elegance with creamy richness. Cuvee Prestige is made of 40% Chardonnay grapes, and is a delicate wine with flavors of fresh fruit and honey. It is firm and on the dry side, with light oak, citrus and candied berry notes. Elegant yet well-toned, it shows intensity and character from beginning to end and stays persistent through the long, lovely finish.

2007 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs, Napa

List price 35.00; our price 29.99

The long growing season of 2006 produced a fruit forward Blanc de Noirs, delivering generous aromas of strawberry, apple, and lime, followed with hints of spiced orange, cinnamon, and toasted hazelnut. Red apple and baked pineapple flavors give way to mid-palate notes of strawberry yogurt and brown sugar, leading to a zesty, crisp finish. This lively sparkling wine will retain its fruitful character and mature gracefully for many years to come.

Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne, Reims

List price 29.99; our price 26.99

Gift packing with bottle in bucket:

List price 33.00; our price 29.99

This is the best bargain in Champagne and is perennially rated 90+. In fact, Wine Enthusiast Magazine gave it a 92-point rating and made it an “Editor’s Choice”: “Toasty aromas leap from the glass in this deliciously mature wine. It is soft but still very dry, with acidity tamed by both fine, mature fruit and a creamy texture that sits well in the mouth. This is a very fine, tasty wine.”

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, Reims

List price 45.00; our price 39.99

This is a fully developed wine, with a radiant bouquet that is captivating yet subtle. Although notes of fully ripe fruit, such as nectarines and cherry plums, are apparent initially, the finish hints at nougat, honey and cereal grains. This wine is smooth and generous on the palate. Three years of maturation have given it body and substance. As the wine opens up, it is full and intense with notes of warm bread blending harmoniously with some ginger and coriander. The grapes used to produce this blend are selected from the top Crus in the Champagne region (34% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 33% Pinot Meunier). It has received high ratings: 94 from Wine Enthusiast and 93 from Wine Spectator.

2004 Iron Horse Russian Cuvée

List price 32.00; our price 27.00

This is the same base wine as their Classic Vintage Brut, but with a richer dosage, which makes it more opulent, slightly sweeter and heightens the fruit. It was originally designed for the historic Reagan-Gorbachev summit meetings ending the Cold War. Here we have a blend of 68% Pinot Noir and 32% Chardonnay aged 3 years on its yeast. It reveals lots of persistent effervescence, tiny, well-formed bubbles, a light straw color, and a distinctive perfume of orange rind and honeyed citrus. In the mouth, it shows a full-bodied mouthfeel and displays good intensity. Even though it is made from the same blend as the Classic Vintage Brut, the Russian Cuvee is much longer, richer, and more intense.

Saturday, November 27, 2010
4 to 5:30 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

You may have noted that we return to the subject of Zinfandel with some degree of frequency. It’s probably because the value index is extraordinarily high, plus we really like the stuff. Zin is truly versatile; it can be made in a light, fruity rosé style, in the style of a claret, or in a ripe-to-overripe rendering, and finally as a late harvest or port wine. If you have any misunderstanding of these styles, you’re in luck: we’re trying all of these this Saturday.

2009 Pedroncelli Dry Rosé of Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

List price 9.00; our price 7.99

In the early 1950s, John Pedroncelli created a rosé originally from a blend of grapes and called it Vin Rosé. In 1954, he created the Zinfandel Rosé and the winery has made one every year since. The grapes for this rosé were harvested from the Pedroncelli estate vineyards along with fruit from one other grower. The strawberry bouquet gives way to red raspberry, currant and plum flavors that are the highlights of this crisp, enjoyable wine. This potpourri of fruit, with time, will take on a jammy element but it is doubtful there will be any unopened bottles by then.

2008 Dry Creek Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel, Sonoma County

List price 16.00; our price 13.99

This blend from Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley fruit, displays all that is appealing about Zinfandel. The warm 2008 vintage produced beautifully ripe grapes. This very well balanced wine shows aromas of raspberries, cherries and spicy oak, followed by flavors of blueberry pie and dark chocolate. Wine Spectator Magazine gives it an 88-point rating: “The ’08 is zesty and full of deep plum and blackberry fruit, finishing with notes of cedar, dill and lively tannins. Very drinkable with 13.5% alcohol.”

2007 Gnaughty Vines Old Vine Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley,

List price 17.00; our price 14.99

Concentrating their flavors to produce wines of astonishing depth and complexity, the knotty grape vines surrender their tender fruit to yield ripe raspberry flavors to the max. The wine is well balanced and displays an accent of creamy oak.

2007 Murphy-Goode Zinfandel “Liar’s Dice”, Sonoma County

List price 19.95; our price 15.99

The late Tim Murphy was the architect of the Zinfandel program in a plan conceived over 20 years of breakfasts and “liar’s dice” games at Mickey’s Café in Geyserville. Tim’s circle of friends at these early morning meetings are some of the finest Zin growers in Sonoma County and now are the fruit source for Liar’s Dice Zinfandel. Dense black cherry, raspberry jam, and currant notes are brought together in layers with sweet vanilla oak. The Dry Creek grapes contribute black raspberry and currants and are blended with the Alexander Valley fruit imparting rich, fruit flavors of black cherry and blackberry jam. Soft tannins perfectly balance the sweetness of the fruit. Here is a big, rich, impressively stuffed Zinfandel that keys keenly on juicy, blackberry-like fruit, and, if hinting at chocolate, it does so without crossing the line into late-harvest ripeness. It is full, fleshy and just a touch firm in structure, and, while tasty now, it has room for improvement with age. It picked up a Gold Medal at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair

2009 Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise Zinfandel, Paso Robles

List price 19.95; our price 17.95

The blend in this wine is 95% Zinfandel and 5% Petite Sirah. It is bursting with raspberries and strawberries and is complemented by white pepper, vanilla, and sage. It is smooth on the palate, with light tannins and a hint of fruity sweetness. Delicious!

2006 Hawley Zinfandel, Late Harvest, Dry Creek Valley

List price 22.00; our price 17.99

John Hawley has a great wine-making history, including stops at Kendall-Jackson and Clos Du Bois. John now makes small lot, hands on wines, with the help of his two sons at a brand new winery near the Sonoma town of Healdsburg. The grapes were hand picked so that the selected clusters were not too raisined and had some acidity to balance out the sweetness. This small lot was fermented in one-ton open top fermenters and the skins were punched down every few hours. The wine was drained when it fermented to about 5% sugar and the skins were pressed off in an old manual basket press. The wine was aged for seven months in French and American oak barrels and is slightly sweet at about 5% residual sugar. Selective hand picking helped achieve a balanced acidity to offset the sweetness. The profile focuses on ripe raspberry and blackberry jam with hints of raisins and chocolate.

Saturday, November 20, 2010
4 to 5:30 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 treating ourselves to the excellent wines of La Crema Winery. To set the palate, we will begin with the new Monterey series of Chardonnay, to be followed by the Pinot Noir, Monterey. At that point, we will launch into the Appellation series of Pinot Noirs that have helped establish La Crema as a “player” in the Pinot Noir sweepstakes, thanks to the winemaking skills of Melissa Stackhouse. Joining us will be Mark Sullivan of Regal Wines, distributor of the La Crema line of wines. For those of you looking for a most elegant wine to accompany your Thanksgiving dinner consider the following:

2009 La Crema Chardonnay, Monterey

List price 18.00; our price 15.99

The inaugural vintage of La Crema’s Monterey Chardonnay shows exotic floral and tropical fruit on the nose, punctuated by appealing butterscotch, lemon peel and spice notes. The palate expands into bright peach, grilled pineapple and honeysuckle with subtle toast and caramel adding richness and beautiful texture on the finish.

2009 La Crema Pinot Noir, Monterey

List price 22.00; our price 18.99

The Pinot Noir harvest in Monterey lasted a full 8 weeks, beginning in September and lasting all the way into October. Happily, by all accounts, 2009 appears to be an outstanding vintage. In the glass, brooding, earthy aromas meld with juicy ripe plum, punctuated by lovely notes of black tea. The palate echoes the plum-filled nose, joined by black licorice and cocoa powder. A subtle earthiness leads to a generous, fleshy mid-palate and a smooth, mineral-laced finish. This wine reveals the berry fruit side of Pinot Noir, with additional texture and depth. It should drink nicely for 2-3 years.

2007 La Crema Pinot Noir, Los Carneros

List price 33.00; our price 29.99

Los Carneros is the most southern of the Appellation Series Pinot regions. Straddling the Napa-Sonoma County line, the Los Carneros hills roll up from the San Pablo Bay. The unique factor here is wind–a relentless cooling force that charges up the rolling hillsides. The vineyards for this wine are just three miles from the bay, so the constant cooling influence of wind and fog allow the fruit ample time on the vine to develop full, concentrated flavors and velvety texture. The 2007 offers brooding, earthy aromas of dark cherry with a touch of spice. Flavors continue with ripe, black plum, hints of coffee and cocoa surrounded by a soft, velvety texture that ends in a fleshy, long finish.
The wine won a Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

2008 La Crema Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

List price 33.00; our price 29.99

Pinot Noir has a temperamental and fragile nature making it a challenge to produce from vine to bottle. A notorious failure in many places, Pinot only reveals its brilliance in tiny, specific cool-climate pockets of the world. The Russian River Valley is one of them. Cool coastal fog rolls over the vineyards each day and the Pinot Noir ripens at a leisurely pace in the moderate climate. Concentrated, small berries literally burst with flavor, wrapped up in heady spice and plush, round texture. The aromas and flavors of this bottling are textbook Russian River Valley: the nose of rich black cherry and subtle rose petal is highlighted by hints of sassafras and orange peel. The palate is rich and round, with brooding black cherry, cocoa and spice over a noticeably plush texture of broad tannins on a lingering, juicy fruit finish.

2007 La Crema Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

List price 43.00; today only 39.99

Located in Mendocino County, north of Sonoma County, Anderson Valley is known for distinctive Pinot Noir and considered one of the coolest wine regions in the state. Vineyards lie 10-15 miles from the rugged Mendocino coast, and vines struggle on steep slopes, developing complex, small berries. This fruit is unusually graceful, developing elegant blueberry and bright red cherry flavors overlaid with delicate tea and layered floral notes. Marine breezes and fog funnel down from the Navarro River, encouraging late ripening and promoting concentrated flavors and firm structure. Anderson Valley Pinot is hugely expressive. The 2007 offers delicate aromas of blueberry and cocoa, with underlying notes of tea leaves and flowers. Juicy flavors of dark bramble and plum, with a hint of spice and coffee, lead to a broad, sturdy finish.
Ratings for this wine are: 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, and 90 points from Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine.

Saturday, November 6, 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

The wine is flowing. New arrivals are streaming in every week and require your immediate attention. Thus, the need for our tasting events becomes necessary all the more so. All the wines this Saturday are from California; three are exceptional Chardonnays at their price points and three are reds that are bound to please. These are a step above the “party-wine” price level, but a not unpleasant step at that, given the quality level. Enjoy!

2008 Chalone Vineyard Chardonnay, Monterey County

List price 13.00; our price 10.99

The wine has the classic citrus-pineapple tropical fruit aromas of our region, combined with luscious pear flavors, crisp acidity and bright floral aromas. The oak (a combination of French and older American barrels) is beautifully integrated with the fruit. Impressive up front, the wine shows a very long, elegant finish.

2008 A by Acacia Chardonnay California

List price 13.50; our price 11.50

This wine offers aromas of apple, mango, fig and guava. The medium to full-bodied palate maintains impressive balance and flavor concentration, so it will hold its own with rich foods. The flavors of tropical and ripe stone fruits complement its acidity, and the finish is rich and long. This bright and crisp Chardonnay is perfect for sipping or for enjoying with flavorful dishes like seafood salads, tarragon chicken and coconut shrimp.

2009 Foley Chardonnay, “Steel”, Santa Rita Hills

List price 29.50; our price 24.95

Fermented exclusively in stainless steel tanks, this Chardonnay demonstrates the pristine character of Foley’s estate Santa Rita Hills vineyards. This wine has signature mineral aromatics, with fruit notes of lime zest and lemon curd. Having not been put through malolactic fermentation or aging in oak barrels, the wine has a lively acidity and great structure. This wine is a perfect pairing with any light & fresh cuisine. It is always interesting to taste Chardonnay unadulterated by the presence of wood.

2008 Chalone Vineyard Pinot Noir, Monterey County

List price 19.99; our price 17.50

The wine is full-bodied with rich aromas of tart black cherries, roses and hints of both clove and nutmeg followed by a finish that is clean and elegant. The red fruit brightens across the palate, picking up raspberry and spice. Soft and silky through the middle, the wine crescendos on the finish, leaving a vibrant, juicy memory in the mouth.

2009 Chronic Cellars Zinfandel, “Purple Paradise”, Paso Robles

List price 18.00; today only 15.99

The blend in this bottle is 95% Zinfandel and 5% Petite Sirah. It is bursting with raspberries and strawberries complemented by white pepper, vanilla, and sage. The deep, dark purple wine expresses itself smoothly on the palate, with light tannins and a hint of fruity sweetness to round it out. Delicious!

2006 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon, Jack London, Sonoma V.

List price 25.00; our price 19.99

The wolf head was Jack London’s bookplate logo for many of his novels and is now used to embellish Kenwood’s unique labels of the Jack London series wines. This is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 3% Syrah. It has a rich and complex aroma with notes of boysenberries, mint, and chocolate covered cherries. It is a full-bodied wine with well structured tannins and an excellent finish.

Saturday, October 30, 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 entering that period of the year wherein entertaining and partying will be shifting into high gear. Most functions are supplied with wines under the ten dollar mark which is a price barrier we maintain in our focus. Repeatedly we return to this level of economy in search of the value products that return more than the price would indicate. To make it interesting, we have chosen one wine from each of six different countries. Drop in this Saturday, taste some nice inexpensive wines and take mental notes on where best to spend your valuable assets.

2008 Matetic Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Chile

List price 10.95; our price 8.99

Chile produces some excellent Sauvignon Blancs and this one from Matetic is a full bodied wine with fine character. The new Matetic Vineyards winery is a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, constructed so as to compliment organic agricultural practices and the natural landscape of the Rosario Valley. This winery, which has a 300-thousand liter capacity, relies on a gravitational-flow design that optimizes management of the grapes brought in from the nearby vineyards. The wine is lively, with clean, zesty flavors of tropical fruit and minerals.

2009 Chateau de Campuget Rosé, Rhone, France

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

This is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache Noir. It comes from the Costières di Nimes, near the awesome French Riviera town (and close to Monaco) boasting not only one of the most well preserved Roman coliseums, but also lots of world class beaches on the beautiful French coast. It used to be considered part of the Languedoc region, but now is part of the Rhone. The wine shows lots of strawberries and stone quality, with intriguing grapefruit notes. It is juicy, yet dry.

2008 Di Majo Norante Sangiovese, Molise, Italy

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

This Sangiovese exhibits a fresh bouquet of violets, berries, spices and leather. It is deliciously smooth, plush and juicy on the palate with loads of ripe fruit. This tremendous value was given a 90-point rating by The Wine Advocate: “The 2008 Sangiovese Terre degli Osci is an incredibly delicious, full-bodied wine with gorgeous clarity and definition. Made in a bold, fruit-driven style, the wine offers terrific depth and a long, polished finish. This harmonious red is a knockout!”

2005 Castaño Solanera, Yecla, Spain

List price 14.95; our price 9.99

The name comes from “Finca La Solana” – sun-washed property in Spanish. This is a blend from 40+ year old vines of the varieties: Monastrell (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Garnacha Tintorera (15%). It enjoys a 90 point-rating from Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar: “Saturated purple. Smoky raspberry and cherry on the nose, with a sexy mocha quality adding complexity. Fleshy, round dark fruit liqueur flavors caress rather than pummel the palate. Gentle tannins arrive late to add structure but this is all about silky, juicy fruit.” Robert Parker chimed in with a 91-point rating.

2007 Vino Valpredo “Squeezebox Red”, Sonoma County

List price 14.95; our price 9.99

This is a blend of Zinfandel (49%), Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) and Syrah (16%). Fruit for this selection was sourced at several vineyards sites throughout Sonoma County. Vino Valpredo Wine Company who produced and bottled this offering is an offshoot of Dry Creek Valley’s Fritz Winery who has long been a producer of fine Zinfandels. Aromas of dark berry fruit with spice notes fill out the expressive and vibrant nose of this blend. Some fig notes lead the palate along with a combination of fresh and dried fruit character. Cranberry, cherry and plum are prominent. Sour cherry, blackberry and black pepper emerge in the finish, balanced by excellent acidity. The lasting flavors linger well after the last sip.

Achaia Clauss Muscat de Patras, Greece

List price 12.00; today only 9.99

We will try whenever possible to introduce you to some of the world’s finest dessert wines as we advance towards the winter months. This sweet white dessert wine is produced in the Patras Appellation of Controlled Origin on the Peloponnesus. It is vinified from the White Muscat grapes grown in the Patras defined zone. Its rich amber color, full-body and well-balanced soft flavor make it one of the best deals in dessert wines to be found anywhere.

Saturday, October 16, 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

The array of wines being poured this Saturday should cover any social situation imaginable. The selection from Napa and Sonoma Counties covers the gamut from whites, through reds and includes a desert wine. All are absolutely delicious. These newly arrived wines were acquired by us by reason of their inherent value. (We continue to protect your purchase dollars.) Please note that the event ends at 6pm and it is quite impossible to accommodate arrivals in the few minutes prior to 6pm. Further, we cannot justify opening fresh bottles in these last few minutes. It is best to arrive no later than 5:30 to enjoy a leisurely tasting experience, and to socialize as well.

2008 Raymond Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Napa Valley

List price 14.50; our price 11.99

Raymond’s winemakers used a long, cool fermentation process followed by cellaring completely in stainless steel prior to bottling. This produces a wine with crisp acidity and captures the flinty, citrus aroma and flavor characteristics of this versatile variety. A small amount of Semillon was added to the final blend as a compliment to the citrus of the Sauvignon Blanc and to provide added richness to the wine.

2006 Iron Horse Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma

List price 22.00; our price 19.99

This wine is made from all Russian River estate fruit, specifically from the Green Valley. It has a pretty light golden color, and shows aromas of pear and banana. There is a rich luscious mouth feel with some minerality and exotic fruit flavors. It is rich and creamy while being balanced with minerality and acid. Look for a hint of lychee. The finish shows great balance of oak and fruit. Both Wine Enthusiast Magazine and Wine and Spirits Magazine awarded this wine a 91-point rating.

2007 Laurier Merlot, Alexander Valley, Sonoma

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

With its deep ruby color, tannins that complete a nice lasting finish to the palate, and hints of herbs, plums, vanilla, and raspberry, this Merlot is certainly not lacking complexity and could be mistaken for a Cabernet. The nice aroma of cherries is definitely not forgotten either. With that said, it is certainly permissible to consume it now; however, given a couple more years, this Merlot may approach its full potential. This wine has already picked up three Gold Medals at wine competitions.

2008 Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah, Sonoma

List price 11.00; our price 8.99

Thirty-two years after it was first produced by the Bogle family in 1978, Petite Sirah is today considered Bogle’s “heritage” varietal. Full-bodied on the entry, aromas of black plum jam and toasty oak set the stage for what is to come. Vibrant boysenberries and luscious fruit are framed by serious tannins, while wisps of leather and vanilla add complexity. A final touch of acidity finishes the wine with a precisely balanced mouthfeel.

2005 Luke Donald Collection Meritage, Napa Valley

List price 36.00; our price 25.00

Handcrafted in a traditional European style, the Luke Donald marries a rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (44%), Merlot (43%), Cabernet Franc (12%) and Petit Verdot (1%). The wine has its origins in a longstanding friendship between top-ranked pro golfer, Luke Donald, and fine wine professional, Bill Terlato, of the family-owned Terlato Wine Group. Luke Donald Claret displays structured tannins, intertwined with vibrant flavors of black berries and subtle spice notes, producing a wine ripe with flavor and supple in mouthfeel.

2007 Kendall-Jackson Muscat Canelli, Sonoma

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

The grapes for this wine actually were grown in Lake County which tends to produce a mandarin orange/kumquat flavor profile. This wine, too, displays a delightful mélange of citrus flavors such as tangerine and mandarin orange that combine on the palate with notes of peach blossom, spices and pear. It is richly layered and balanced throughout. This wine has a delightful off-dry, long and lingering finish. Try this one on the rocks.