Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, March 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

There is hardly another class of wine offering value than the Malbec bottlings of Mendoza, Argentina.  By “value” I mean considerable quality easily discerned, at very reasonable prices, or, “bang for the buck”.  Of course there are those producers that feel they should offer a densely made Malbec bomb at $100.00 or $150.00.  Unfortunately, these wines have to compete with similar bigger-than-life reds from California, which puts them at a disadvantage.  Happily you will not have to deal with this quandary on Saturday when we will maintain a sane pricing pulse rate.

2009 Elsa Bianchi Malbec

List price 9.99; our price 8.99

The classic Malbec aromas of ripe plum and violets are evident in the nose, 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.

2008 Alamos Malbec

List price 10.00; our price 8.99

The 2008 Alamos Malbec has a dark, blackish purple color.  The nose shows ripe black fruits, black pepper spice and floral notes.  The mouthfeel is full yet soft and supple, with black raspberry and currant flavors mingled with notes of sweet spice and a touch of leather. The finish is long and persistent with soft, sweet tannins.

2008 Zolo Malbec

List price 10.99; our price 9.99

The grapes are selected from Zolo’s best vineyards located in the wine-growing region of Mendoza.  These terroirs provide a wonderful expression of fruit and variety concentration.  This wine has an attractive and intense violet color, with black fruit, berry and raspberry flavors and a finish displaying complexity and elegance.

2008 Kaiken Malbec

List price 10.99; our price 9.99

In this wine, mature red fruits and chocolate are vividly present, mixing harmoniously with the oak, while violet aromas enhance the wine’s complexity on the nose.  The wine is velvety, with excellent structure and abundant, mature tannins providing a nice silkiness.  The wine is a faithful exponent of Malbec’s potential in Argentina, with unique characteristics, blending both intensity and softness along with a long and persistent finish.

2007 Pizzella Family Vineyard “La Posta” Malbec

List price 15.00; our price 13.50

Wine Spectator gave this delightful wine a 91-point rating: “Ripe and flashy, with a showy layer of mocha leading the way for spice cake, raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors laid over a lush, creamy finish.  Dense but lithe, with the fruit echoing through the finish”.

2007 Kaiken “Ultra” Malbec

List price 19.95; our price 16.99

Showing outstanding and concentrated fruit, this wine has beautiful aromas of red berries, black cherry and a hint of cigar box cedar.  The full-bodied wine is round and velvety in mid-palate, with soft tannins.  An added touch of vanilla and toast, followed by a long and smooth finish makes this a very elegant wine.  80% of the Ultra was aged in French oak for 12 months which accounts for the considerable elegance of the wine.  Given its ripe core of spicy fruit, excellent concentration of succulent flavors, lengthy finish and balance, it should evolve for another 1-2 years and drink well through the rest of the decade.

Saturday, February 27, 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 very much devoted to Zinfandel which no doubt explains why we have so many Zin events, or at least include samples in other tasting events.  Besides being a delicious wine, it has value power when compared to, let’s say, Cabernet Sauvignon.  You can figure on getting the same quality level on a mid thirty-something dollar Zin as a mid sixty-something Cab, with many good Zins beginning in the $10.00 range.  Most fans of the grape are acquainted with Four Vines of Paso Robles and some have heard of Mettler Family of Lodi, but who has heard of Oakridge Winery of Lodi; and did you know that Dante Dusi of Paso Robles’ Dusi Vineyard has his own label of Old Vine Zin?  Phil Molnar from Frank-Lin Distributors will be on hand to discuss and pour the wines.

2005 Oak Ridge Winery Zinfandel, Old Vine, Lodi

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

This family-owned and operated winery was founded in 1934 as a winemaking cooperative of local growers.  During the last 5 years the historic landmark has been transformed into a state-of-the-industry winery.  Some of the gnarled old vines on this property are over 120 years old, yielding small amounts of concentrated fruit.  The wine has a bright lovely fruit focused on full berry and spice flavors.  It unleashes a blast of wild berry, currant, pepper and chai tea flavors, wrapped into sturdy but fine tannins.  From the Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine: “As ripe as it is fruity, but sufficiently fixed on blackberries to stay on the varietal track, this broad, slightly viscous, full-bodied Zin fits the district style to a ‘T.”

2006 Four Vines Zinfandel, Old Vine Cuvée, California

List price 14.00; our price 11.50

This Old Vine Cuvée was selected from vineyards in the top Zinfandel appellations of California.  Old vine fruit lends increased depth and character to the blend.  Aged in small French and American oak barrels, the wine begins with silky layers of berry fruit and spice, then glides into a lingering oak finish.  You will find it jammy and juicy, with ripe cherry and toasty mocha aromas and easygoing blackberry and spice flavors.  It has enough tannins and structure to hold awhile.

2007 Mettler Family Vineyards Zinfandel, “Epicenter” Old Vine, Lodi

List price 22.00; our price 18.99

With their roots in the wine industry dating back to the 1770s, it’s no surprise that the Mettler Family is still growing grapes today.  After migrating to the U.S. in the late 1800’s, the Mettler family eventually settled in Lodi which is a true Mediterranean climate.  This is why early settlers from Europe chose to plant their vineyards here.  Intense and rich, the red berry fruit explodes in the mouth showing first its fine balancing acid, then moves on to the oak elements of earth and spice with some bacon notes.

2007 Dante Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles

List price 32.00; our price 26.75

Janell Dusi remembers making wine with her grandfather in the basement using fruit from her family’s 100-acre, 80-year-old Paso Robles Vineyard  The high quality fruit from this vineyard is also sold to wineries like Turley, Four Vines and Tobin James.  Janell’s 2007 Zinfandel is purely hers.  Feminine in style, this Zin is bright and evocative of blueberries with judicious oak influence and nice acidity.  Some tea leaf spice emerges from the soft fruit mouth feel.  It is a special Zin from a fantastic vintage.

2005 Oakridge Winery Zinfandel, “Moss Roxx”, Ancient Vine, Lodi

List price 29.95; our price 26.99

Besides making their own find wines, Oakridge is a custom crush facility that produces wines for other companies and or vintners.  Moss Roxx is sourced from 8 distinctive ancient vine vineyards.  18 months in multiple cooperages accentuates the classic varietal spice and imparts vanilla aromatics, sweet, dark fruit notes and a clean, fresh mouth feel.  It shows Zin’s fine bramble character alongside oak spice nuances.  This rich elegant wine will also age wonderfully for 5-10 years.

2005 Four Vines Zinfandel Port, Paso Robles

List price 25.00; our price 21.99

The grapes were left on the vine until maximum ripeness, picked and fermented slowly until 10 Brix, where upon 2 year-old oak aged brandy was added to stop the fermentation.  The wine was aged in small French oak barrels for 20 months.  The dark ruby colored dessert wine opens with a ripe plum and spice like bouquet.  On the palate, it is full bodied, quite smooth, and balanced.  It is rich and concentrated with velvety-sweet, ripe red raspberry flavors and a hint of raisin on the back palate.   The finish is nice, smooth, and pleasant, with spice trailing into a silky caramel finish.

Saturday, February 20, 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

Thanks to all who attended the event last Saturday featuring Mike Grgich and his fine wines.  Mike was gratified by the number of fans who crowded in to meet with him and taste the wines currently in release.  Melanie did amazingly well keeping up with the pouring duties and discussing the provenance of the varietals.  Our apologies to you who got to the counter after we ran out of Fumé Blanc and Zinfandel; the matter is rectified with the arrival of both now in the store.In the meantime, new arrivals are available on our shelves and really ought to be part of our sampling schedule.  This Saturday’s event will feature imports from Argentina, Germany Italy and Spain.Next Saturday, the 27th we will concentrate on Zinfandels and the following Saturday, the 6th of March, we will present Argentine Malbecs for your discerning pleasure.

2008 Banfi Principessa Perlante Gavi, Piemonte, Italy

List price 17.50; our price 13.99

Principessa Perlante captures the fresh, fruit-forward bouquet and elegant structure of Gavi with a delicate natural effervescence.  As well as an elegant apéritif, it is also an ideal accompaniment to all shellfish, and marries well with fish, veal and grilled chicken.  Its combination of delicacy and flavor makes it a most appropriate accompaniment to the nuances of Asian cuisine in general and Japanese dishes in particular.  Also, you might try it with Italian food.

2008 Alamos Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina

List price 10.00; our price 8.99

Built up by the Catena family in Argentina, Alamos produces terrific value wines year in and year out.  The wine is full-bodied, with red apple and pear fruit filling the mouth.  Some bright yellow stone fruit and just a hint of toffee from brief oak aging add some richness and texture.  The wine has a truly fresh flavor profile, and would work well as a bridge wine for those who prefer crisper, brighter, Chardonnay while their companions perhaps favor richer, oakier flavors.  Delicious and versatile, this is a “smoking” good deal on Chardonnay!

2000 Bert Simon Serrig Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese, Mosel, Germany

List price 24.90; our price 19.99

In 1968, as a young enologist, Bert Simon acquired the Baron von Schorlemer vineyards Serriger Herrenberg and Serriger Würtzberg.  Both vineyard sites of about 40 acres are monopole sites of the estate and almost all the vines are planted on steeply sloping hillsides.  This is a cool climate Riesling with aromas of minerals and bright citrusy fruit, with floral nuances in the background.  I love the citrus and honeysuckle fruit flavors playing off of the minerals, with a bright, tingly acidity to support it all.

2003 Conde de Valdemar, Reserva, Rioja, Spain

List price 16.50; our price 12.95

The Martinez Bujanda family, producers of Valdemar wines, founded their original winery in 1889.  They own 820 acres of vineyards, which makes Valdemar one of the largest estates in the Rioja.  A new winery was built in 1984 to take advantage of modern technologies, integrating both new and time-honored traditions of winemaking.  A blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Mazuelo, the wine is clean and bright with complex aromas of stewed black berries and spicy touches of black pepper and mineral notes.  It has a fleshy ripe berry character with fine tannins extending throughout the long and very persistent finish.

2006 Monte Antico, Toscana, Italy

List price 14.00; our price 10.99

The wine is 75 percent Sangiovese, 15 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is made from 25-year-old vines, mostly from Pisa, Maremma and Chianti Classico areas.  The quality of the 2006 vintage in Tuscany shines brilliantly through this wine.  The superb 2006 Sangiovese year has produced an aromatic wine with beautiful plums, berries and fresh acidity; #61 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2009.

2006 Masi Valpolicella “Campofiorin” Ripasso, Veneto, Italy

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

Masi’s 2006 Campofiorin reveals a soft, floral expression of red fruits framed by silky tannins.  This medium-bodied, restrained wine shows a lovely balance.  Campofiorin is essentially a Valpolicella made in the ripasso style which involves a secondary fermentation on the skins and stems of the estate’s Amarone.

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, February 6, 2010

4 to 6

$5.00 per person

      Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

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

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

2008 Loredona Viognier, Lodi

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

This wine is rather light on your tongue and is well balanced and flavorful without being heavy or oaky.  It shows pleasant honey and apricot flavors with a lovely citrus, peach, and tropical fruit character, as well.  This is your everyday pool-side sipping wine that would hold up over the rocks.

2007 Joel Gott Zinfandel, California

List price 14.95; our price 12.99

This wine is a blend of dry-farmed, old-head trained vines in Lodi and Amador Counties producing deeply-concentrated fruit while the Napa Valley harvest adds depth and complexity. Fruit from the cooler climate of Sonoma County offers spice typical of the varietal.  These diverse regions come together to produce a Zinfandel with aromas of currant, plum and sweet oak, and flavors of ripe cherry with a long, lush finish.

2006 Alexander Valley Vineyards Redemption Zin, Dry Creek Valley

List price 22.50; our price 17.99

AVV produces the well known Sin Zin, their signature Zin, Temptation Zin, a lighter style, and Redemption Zin, the wonderfully lush companion we will taste Saturday.  This wine exhibits a dark ruby color, good depth, plenty of currant, plum, licorice, and pepper characteristics, and a meaty, medium to full-bodied texture.  It shows substantial blackberry and plum flavors along with a healthy dose of black pepper and subtle notes of orange peel and glycerin.  It won a gold medal and “Best of Class” award at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair.

2006 Steele Wines Zinfandel, Catfish Vineyard, Lake County

List price 22.00; our price 17.99

Catfish Vineyard is truly an old-timer, planted in 1901.  The vineyard is located on the Bell Hill bench of Lake County just south of Kelseyville.  The vines are head pruned and stand on their own original roots.  Steele Wines purchased the vineyard in 2000 and has been working to rehabilitate the old vines since that time. Each year the vines are pruned back so that each vine has fewer shoots and therefore fewer bunches of grapes.  New vines have been planted where the 100-year-old vines have expired.  The flavor profile for this vineyard is ripe boysenberries and spices.

2006 Clos LaChance Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast

List price 19.95; our price 14.99

The 150-acre Clos LaChance Estate Vineyard in San Martin was planted in 1999-2000. Nearly 20 varietals were planted, along with 60 separate clones, providing Winemaker Stephen Tebb with a spice-rack of blending wines.  Hot sunny days throughout the growing season, coupled with cool ocean breezes in the evenings, allow for increased grape hang-time, and the further development of flavors and complexities.  This is a big Cabernet Sauvignon, with complexity showing from extensive barrel and bottle aging.  There are dark blackberry aromas with vanilla and classic Cabernet eucalyptus.  The flavors of cassis, plum and blackberries dominate throughout the palate and into the long, smooth finish.

2005 Bouchaine Chardonnay, “Bouche d’Or”, Carneros

List price 25.00; our price 19.95

Bouche d’Or, which translates to “Taste of Gold” (or is it “Gold Lips”?) refers to the rich amber color and luscious, sweet essence of this wine and its honey-apricot fragrance.  It works well as an apéritif to be enjoyed with liver pâté or smoked hors d’oeuvres.  To make this wine, harvesting was delayed on one acre of the estate vineyard Chardonnay grapes until November of the year, anticipating that the additional time would further concentrate the grape sugars.  The resulting wine recalls to mind honeyed apricots and ripe figs, yet is delicate in weight and smooth in texture.

Saturday, January 23, 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

My buddy, Mark Sullivan of Regal Wines, has agreed to fill in for me this Saturday and will be pouring some of his favorite California Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and Zinfandels.  Mark is very personable and all to willing to expound upon some of the many fine wine companies he represents.  He is also known in the trade as a heavy pourer, so be sure to tell him when you have had enough.  I am joking, of course.  Really, there is the occasional sobriety check point in our area and I went through the last one recently.  I passed with flying colors, even though there was a six pack of beer in the seat next to me.  Honestly.  Please do guide yourselves accordingly.

I will return from vacation the next week and be here for yet another tasting event.

See you then.

2007 Cambria Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, Katherine’s Vineyard

List price 19.50; our price 15.95

Connoisseur Guide lists this wine a “Good Value”:  “This one may be a few dollars less pricey than [others], but we like its more open, fruity style and its mix of Meyer lemon, vanilla and chalky notes.  Its flavors are delivered along with a pleasantly supple entry impression, and if the wine firms up a bit at the back, that is to its good as well in that it invites service with dishes ranging from the sweeter white fishes like Sole Amandine to baked chickens with pan gravies”.

2007 Byron Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley

List price 23.00; our price 17.95

Staying true to the consistent nature of Chardonnay from this cool coastal appellation, Byron’s Chardonnay combines vibrant fruit character with a rich texture and a silky finish. Aromas of orange blossom, Anjou pear and hazelnut are accented by hints of mineral and toasty oak.  On the palate, the wine is well balanced with traces of peach, mandarin orange and toasty brown spice with a long, lingering finish.

2006 Stonestreet Chardonnay, Alexander Valley

List price 27.00; our price 23.99

Wine Advocate gave this wine a 92 point rating: “The 2006 Chardonnay Alexander Valley is a beautiful wine that exhibits notes of honeysuckle, poached pear, and tropical fruit in a medium to full-bodied style, with crisp acidity and a long, very subtle, smoky oakiness.  Drink through 2010.”  We put aside some cases of this wine to let it evolve in the bottle and the payoff has arrived…delicious!

2008 Byron Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley

List price 24.00; our price 19.99

In 1964 Uriel Nielson planted Santa Barbara County’s first commercial vineyard, and the Byron estate is located on the same site as those original plantings.  All of the fruit for this Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir comes from that estate’s sandy loam soils.  A combination of older and younger vine fruit, the 2008 is concentrated yet bright, with cherry and plum character, hints of rose, smoke and cookie spices.  Earthier at its core than the nose would hint, the wine is still loaded with juicy cherry and plum fruit accented by smoke and spice and framed by fine tannins.

2006 Taft Street Zinfandel, Russian River Valley

List price 22.00; our price 17.99

The grapes for this wine were selected from the 100+ year old Cobblestone Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, located on the gentle rolling hills east of the town of Windsor.  This is amazingly good rich and plumy old vine Zinfandel for the price.

2007 Edmeades Vineyards Zinfandel, Shamrock V., Mendocino Co.

List price 32.50; our price 28.99

At 2,800 feet, Shamrock Vineyard is one of the highest elevation vineyard sites in Mendocino County, on the northern border of Humboldt County. The vineyard sits on a small 2.1-acre site perched high above the fog line and is a true mountain grown Zin.  Van Williamson has been the winemaker since 1994 and is preeminent on the subject of Zinfandel.  At first, the aromas hit you with mixed berries covered with a cherry liqueur with hints of floral, citrus and black pepper.  In the mouth you get chocolate, dried cherries, vanilla spice and notes of earthiness.

Saturday, January 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

Next Saturday, the 16th, we will be joined by Sunny Grosso, California Sales Manager for Vine Connections, importers of fine sakes.  She will answer any questions you may have had regarding sake and its varied styles.  Tozai company has been crafting sake for 200 years, while family owned Kanbara was founded in 1880, andTakasago in 1899.  The process begins with a specific rice for the purpose.  It is milled down to roughly 70% of its size or even more depending on the quality level desired.  Natural spring water is drawn from a depth of 600 feet.  Sunny will happily explain all as she pours each of these fine products.  For starters, she will introduce a line of flavored drinks based on Junmai “pure rice” sake.

The following Saturday, the 23rd, Mark Sullivan of Regal Wines will be pouring some of his favorite California Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and Zinfandels.

sake2me Sparkling Junmai

Single bottles $3.49; Four-pack $12.99 (ok to mix)

The latest cutting edge sake drink, saké2me, is a lightly sparkling, Japanese Junmai sake infused with all-natural Asian flavors.  Currently available in single-serve bottles, it is served chilled as a refreshing alternative to beer, wine or cocktails.

Yuzu Citrus

- lemony citrus with a hint of orange peel

Asian Pear

- crisp and ripe with a subtle spicy aroma

Green Tea

- intriguing with notes of lemongrass and wildflower honey

Ginger-Mango

- spicy fruit with a clean finish

Tozai “Living Jewel”, Junmai

List price 17.95; our price 15.50

This is produced in Kyoto’s ancient brewing town of Fushimi, known for its abundant supply of pure, pristine, and soft water from many nearby mountains.  The label image is a Japanese “koi” whose vibrant colors and shimmering scales have earned them the moniker “living jewels”. 30% of the rice grain is polished away.  The aromas of white grape, anise, and a hint of sweet rice are quite complex.  These same flavors come rushing through the medium-bodied palate which has a slightly creamy texture followed by a hint of white pepper and fresh herbal notes. The long, clean finish makes this a great sipping sake as well as a companion to a wide range of foods.  It earned 89 Points, Silver Medal, “Highly Recommended”, from the Beverage Tasting Institute

Tozai “Well of Wisdom”, Ginjo

List price 25.00; our price 21.95

This sake is crafted with pure, natural spring water from a family brewery nestled at the base of Osaka’s scenic Ikoma Mountain.  40% of the rice grain is polished away.  The aromas are of peach and powdered sugar.  On the palate, the flavors head toward apricot, peach skin, and a touch of anise.  This medium bodied sake presents a unique combination of dry, crisp sake that also has amazing complexity of flavor; great balance too.

Kanbara “Bride of the Fox”, Junmai Ginjo

List price 35.00; our price 29.99

This sake is named for the famous fox-bride festival held annually in Niigata to celebrate a local legend about mysterious lights that have appeared on nearby Mt. Kirin.  50% of the rice grain is polished away.  Here, are aromas of grilled nuts, pistachio, and a hint of white chocolate.  Flavors of nuts and ripe honeydew explode at the front but the sake finishes crisp with a hint of lingering sweetness.

Takasago Ginga Shizuku “Divine Droplets”, Junmai Daiginjo

List price 68.00; our price 62.00

“Shizuku” (drip pressed) sake, a rarity by itself, is the only sake in the world drip-pressed in an ice igloo which is rebuilt every year outside the main brewery building in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.  50% of the rice grain is polished away.  Spice, minerality, and banana skin dominate the aroma profile of this shizuku- pressed sake.  Medium-bodied with a clean impact, the flavors run the gamut of a well-crafted junmai-daiginjo: melons, herbs, vanilla essence and concentrated mineral flavors that keep the sake focused well into its long, ethereal finish.  This is truly one of the ‘Rolls-Royces’ of sake.

Tozai “Snow Maiden”, Junmai Nigori

List price 17.95; our price 15.50

This sake is named Snow Maiden in homage to Japan’s most famous koi, “Hanako”, which lived 226 years in the icy waters at the foot of Japan’s Mt. Ontake.  30% of rice grain polished away.  This is fairly thick and chewy nigori (cloudy sake), but it is still surprisingly dry.  The aromas are bright and fresh and they show a lovely rice and fruit combination.  In the mouth, this sake has solid weight and gives the same flavors of fresh fruit and creamy fresh rice that your nose told you about.  The finish has a pleasant astringency and is nicely mellow, beckoning you for another mouthful.  You will rarely taste a classier nigori at this price, and this may be the ultimate food-friendly nigori.  91 Points, Gold Medal, “Best Buy” Beverage Tasting Institute.

Tozai “Blossom of Peace” Plum Sake

List price 17.95; our price 15.50

While most plum wine or sake is made with shochu, fermented plums, or grapes with plum flavors added, this is the only”ume-shu” crafted with premium Japanese sake and the region’s highest quality ripe green plums, or “shiro-kaga”.  The plums are soaked in sake for over three months to achieve a rich, sweet aroma and subtle plum flavors.  This is a semi-sweet sake with ample aromas of almond and marzipan, and with perfectly ripe plum flavors dominating the palate.

Saturday, January 9, 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 going ahead with the Ramazzotti Vineyards wine event even though we were unable to get Joe Ramazzotti here at this time.  This is a shame because Joe is a very personable man with a lifetime of vineyard management and wine making experience.  Recently he purchased the old Bandiera Winery in Cloverdale, northern Sonoma County, not far from his Geyserville area vineyards.  All wine making activity will proceed from this facility.  His style of winemaking bridges the Italian and California styles and is artful in the manner of blending.
Next Saturday, the 16th, we will be joined by Sunny Grosso, California Sales Manager for Vine Connections, importers of fine Sakes.  She will answer any questions you may have had regarding Sake.  Several styles will be poured including the “Divine Droplets”, a Daiginjo and the best Sake I’ve ever tasted.
The following Saturday, the 23rd, Mark Sullivan of Regal Wines will be pouring some of his favorite California Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and Zinfandels.As I will be on vacation, there will be no further reminders.  Please make a note of any of the above events in which you are interested and, by-all-means, do attend.

2007 Ramazzotti Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley

List price 16.50; our price 14.25

This Chardonnay is made exclusively from 25-year-old Wente Clone vines grown on the Smith Ranch in Dry Creek Valley and farmed by Joe Ramazzotti.  It was all barrel-fermented, unrefined and unfiltered.  You can really taste the fruit in this Chardonnay.  It has a fresh, pure apply quality that comes from not being over-handled.

2006 Ramazzotti Sangiovese, Dry Creek Valley

List price 19.50; our price 16.99

This wine has a wonderful black cherry smell, and is smooth and velvety to the taste.  It has a full-bodied taste with a lingering finish which goes well with any meal, but is especially delicious with pasta dishes.  Silver Medal Winner 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Competition.

2005 Ramazzotti Ricordo Zin Blend, Dry Creek Valley

List price 24.00; our price 21.50

The 2005 Ricordo, which means “remembering” in Italian, is made in the style of the old-time Italian Field Blends from five different grape varieties.  They are assembled on Walling Road in the Dry Creek Appellation from vineyards that are farmed by Joe.  The blend is made up of Zinfandel, of course, along with Petite Sirah, Syrah, Alicante Bouchet, Carignane and Chasselas Doré (also known as Golden Chasselas).

2005 Ramazzotti Regale Red Table Wine, Alexander Valley

List price 28.00; our price 24.25

The “Regale”, or “gift”, is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Syrah.  This wine is big, beautiful and fruity, with hints of chocolate and violets. It won a Silver Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Competition.2007 Ramazzotti Raffinto Super Tuscan Style Red, Sonoma CountyList price 32.00; our price 28.50This is your ultimate feel-good bottle. Starting a journey composed of diverse delicious fruit flavors moving across the palate, this wine offers a clean nose with hints of raspberry and black cherry.  The Raffinto, “refined”, or “refinement”, is a blend of 60% Sangiovese, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

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

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

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

2008 Domaine Laurier Chardonnay, Sonoma County

List price 9.95; our price 6.99

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

2007 Domaine Laurier Cabernet Sauvignon

List price 9.95; our price 6.99

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

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

List price 14.95; our price 12.99

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

2006 Bodegas Bilbaínas Viña Zaco Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain

List price 13.00; our price 11.50

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

2008 Bodegas Gascón Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

List price 14.95; our price 11.99

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

2005 Bridlewood Syrah Reserve, Central Coast

List price 22.50; our price 15.99

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

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Saturday, December 26, 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 be trying out some newly arrived white wines from France and some reds from California.  The three French whites are excellent examples from appellations along the long growing area of the Loire River.  The reds are a fine example of French varietals as grown in differing areas of California.  All are great value wines that compete against similar bottlings of higher price.  All are simply fun sipping wines to serve as an apéritif or with a meal.

2007 Chateau du Cleray Muscadet Sevre et Maine

List price 15.95; our price 11.99

Muscadet is also known as Melon de Bourgogne which is occasionally bottled by growers in California as Melon.  It is grown near the mouth of the Loire in the district of Nantes.  The short period of sur-lie aging results in a complex, soft and round wine that is bone-dry.  The flavors of citrus and melon rind are bright and lively, showing a taut freshness and clean, classically racy structure.  Wine and Spirits Magazine gave this wine a rating of 89/100.

2007 Sauvion Vouvray

List price 13.50; our price 9.99

Together with Muscadet, Vouvray is the most popular Loire wine in the USA. It is the perfect introduction to the Loire wines: easy to drink, fresh, soft, and “velvety”. It is grown in Touraine among the hundreds of romantic châteaux. Made from Chenin Blanc, this Vouvray is medium dry, complex, soft and round with honey and acacia on the nose.

2007 Sauvion Sancerre

List price 25.00; our price 19.95

This Sauvignon Blanc hails from the district of Centre, far inland where the Loire begins its southward journey.  Sancerre is situated on a hillside area across the Loire River from Pouilly-Fumé.  The wine is very aromatic with Jasmine and Acacia in evidence.  It is dry and full bodied with the usual herbaceous character one expects of the area.

2005 Pacific Oasis Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County

List price 14.95; our price 9.99

This wine was made by fine winemaker, Daniel Gehrs, who aged the Pinot sur lies for eight months prior to finishing and bottling.  The aromas are of black raspberry, black cherry, Oriental spices and smoky French oak.  Very light for a Santa Barbara County Pinot, it is made in the true Burgundian style: This is what a Pinot is supposed to be!  The taste consists of both sour black cherry and strawberry which is pronounced on the front to the mid of the palate.  The mid palate shows a hint of earthiness and cloves which continues to a long nice finish.

2004 Murphy-Goode Merlot, Alexander Valley

List price 14.95; our price 9.99

This wine is a classic, approachable Merlot, soft and juicy with expressive fruit.  Winemaker David Ready Jr. notes: “We use the Goode-Ready designation when working with younger vines in the Alexander Valley that produce exuberant, forward fruit flavors of Bing cherry and blackberry.”  This wine is luscious on the palate, with bright acidity balancing the plentiful, jammy fruit flavors and making this Merlot highly food friendly.  Oak barrel aging (40% new, 90% air-dried American) contributed toasty aromas of sweet smoke, toffee and cedar. The wine is enjoyable now and has the structure to improve with time.

2008 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles, Paso Robles

List price 8.99; our price 6.99

Allure de Robles is an estate grown wine that is produced in Cotes du Rhone style.  The clones of the grapes are predominantly from Tablas Creek Winery and Vineyard Nursery, meaning they are cuttings from both the Château Beaucastel in the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape region of France and French Entav bud wood.  This wine is medium bodied with strawberry and cherry overtones from the Grenache, body from the Syrah and earthiness from the Mourvèdre.