Desert Wines and Spirits

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, December 4, 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

The Folio Fine Wine Partners selection of Italian wines is a spectacular offering compiled by Michael Mondavi. Representing the company this Saturday will be Patti Lee who will expertly and charmingly provide us with all we need to know about these wines and about the Italian wine scene. The wines we will be sampling are from Tuscany, from the Veneto and from the Friuli-Venezie Giulia.

2009 Danzante Pinot Grigio, Friuli-Venezie Giulia

List price 9.95; our price 7.99A crisp lemon-blossom bouquet leads into vibrant flavors of citrus, melon and peach and a clean, well-balanced finish.
Pinot Grigio is considered a natural mutation of the noble Pinot Noir grape, with berries often tinged cinnamon brown or even slightly grayish purple. It originated in Burgundy where it is called Pinot Gris (gray) and has been planted in Italy since the last century. Now Pinot Grigio is planted widely throughout northeastern Italy, especially Friuli, Trentino and Alto Adige, where it produces superior wines in the cool alpine climate.

Villa Sandi Prosecco, Valdobbiadene, Veneto

List price 14.50; our price 10.99

Fresh with nice complexity, the bright and zippy Villa Sandi has a nice undercoating of ripe core fruit flavors. It appears a very pale straw yellow and shows a fine, persistent perlage. The aroma is fruity and flowery with hints of ripe golden apple and wild flowers. The dry, fresh and flavorsome sensation on the palate is followed by a fruity and harmonious finish with zippy, crisp citrus notes.

2007 Masi Campofiorin, Valpolicella Veneto

List price 16.00; our price 13.99

Ripasso (ree-PAH-soh) is a process used in producing some Valpolicella wines to give them richness and body. After the wine is fermented in the usual way, it’s placed in casks containing the lees from a prior batch of recioto or recioto Amarone a concentrated wine made from slightly raisined (passito) grapes. This process, which lasts from 2 to 3 weeks, adds color, tannins and complex flavors. This is the new vintage release from Masi and it is delicious. It has a deep ruby red color. On the nose are cherries and intriguing aromas of mild spices. It is bright and well rounded at the same time on the palate; focusing on baked cherry and plum flavors with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. There is an excellent balance between the supporting acidity and soft tannins. The full bodied finish delights with hints of cocoa.

2006 Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany

List price 24.00; our price 19.95

This Chianti Riserva from the Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi leads off the with a suite of fragrances exhibiting considerable complexity, opening to dark fruit such as plum and blackcurrant, then enriched by a pungent spiciness that infers cinnamon and clove. In the mouth the wine offers dense, impressive body, and fine-grained tannins that marry beautifully with its alcohol. The result is a solidly-built, but not heavy or extractive, wine, with a seamless, long-lingering finish.
Wine Spectator Score: 91 points.

2006 Masi Amarone, Costasera, Valpolicella, Veneto

List price 57.95; our price 49.99

The passito grapes offer a strong bouquet of baked fruit, plums and cherries, which provide the fruit flavors on the palate and are accompanied with attractive hints of coffee and cocoa. There is excellent balance between supporting acidity and soft tannins that melt into an intriguing softness. Imposing structure and a good alcoholic level gives this Amarone an attractively long finish. It is full-bodied, round and juicy, with loads of fruit and a soft, caressing palate. High ratings!

2004 Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany

List price 59.95; our price 54.99

Grown in Tuscany’s most exceptional growing areas, Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi wines boast more than 700 years of family history. This powerful Brunello was #15 on Wine Spectator’s 2009 Wines of the Year: “Shows a complex nose of blackberry, tanned leather, sandalwood and cedar. Fascinating, full-bodied, with super-silky tannins and a long, long finish. Concentrated yet balanced. Beautiful and complete. Best after 2011”. This incredible ’04 Sangiovese spent three years in oak and is definitely built for the long run.

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 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

At the turn of the 20th century, Rosemount, based in Hunter Valley and South Australia, was the second best selling Australian wine brand in the US. It was established in 1969 by Bob Oatley and was Australia’s largest family owned winery until its March 2001 merger with Southcorp Wines. After four decades of making Rosemount Winery the huge success it now enjoys, Bob Oatley and his family are again playing a key role in setting a new direction for Australian wine. Never one to rest on his laurels, in 2006 and at the age of nearly 80, Bob decided it was time to redefine perceptions about the essence of Australian wine. The hallmarks are appealing texture, moderate alcohol, bright natural acidity and purity of varietal flavor. But one thing never changes, i.e. Bob Oatley’s requirement that the wine always tastes “like you want some more.”

Today, Bob’s winemaking home is Mudgee, 261 km north-west of Sydney, a region of sunshine, ancient red-brown earth and a rich winemaking history. His wines are produced from a diverse set of family-owned vineyards spread throughout the Mudgee region as well as grapes grown for the family from vineyards as far away as Margaret River and Pemberton, Western Australia. Joining us this Saturday is Ian Dealhoy, the Southern California sales manager for the winery.

2009 Robert Oatley Pinot Grigio, South Australia

List price 15.00; our price 10.99

The Adelaide Hills, in South Australia, is the ideal region in which to grow the Pinot Grigio grape. The vineyard looks out on steep slopes that promote free air movement, encouraging cool breezes during the growing season. The aim is to capture the delicate pear, apple and spice notes of the variety. Some parcels are fermented with the clusters to promote palate weight. The wine’s natural partridge-eye hue has been retained in a wine that is crisp and fresh with the pure flavor and minerality of Pinot Grigio. 90 point rating by Wine and spirits Magazine

2009 Robert Oatley Sauvignon Blanc, Pemberton

List price 15.00; our price 10.99

The Pemberton wine region in Western Australia, almost 2,000 miles from Mudgee, provides the perfect growing conditions for Sauvignon Blanc. The elevated cool, maritime climate of this region maintains the core freshness and zesty aromatics of the variety. Separate parcels were harvested at various maturity stages to produce a mix of interesting flavors. The early harvest captures the crisp zesty core of the wine while a slightly later harvest builds an element of tropical fruit flavors. The use of selected aromatic yeasts and cool fermentation temperatures has produced a vibrant and refreshing wine. 90 point rating by Tasting Panel Magazine

2008 Robert Oatley Chardonnay, Mudgee

List price 15.00; our price 10.99

Mudgee is located 162 miles northwest of Sydney in New South Wales, a region that was planted to some of Australia’s earliest Chardonnay vines and which has a long history with this versatile variety. It is situated at over 1,500 feet with ancient red clay loam soils of volcanic origin. The aim here was to capture the lemon-lime citrus flavors and subtly support this with thoughtful use of high quality, tight grain French oak barrels for fermentation and maturation.

2009 Robert Oatley Rosé of Sangiovese, Mudgee

List price 15.00; our price 10.99

The Oatley family estates are home to the first plantings of Sangiovese and Barbera in Australia. The wine is produced by the ‘saignée’ method of making rosé, where the wine is drained off the skins after only a short period of contact. This creates a very pink rather than red wine. It has been deliberately made at the drier end of the rosé spectrum.

2009 Robert Oatley Tempranillo, Victoria

List price 16.00; today only 11.99

The King Valley, situated in North East Victoria has a long tradition of growing Mediterranean grape varieties and is home to Australia’s first plantings of Tempranillo. The region sits in the foothills of the Alpine National Park and as such enjoys cold winters and warm summers moderated by the nearby mountains. The grapes were harvested in the cool of the morning and fermented at moderate temperatures in order to retain the distinctive cherry and spice aromas. The fermenting must was gently and routinely pumped over with particular attention to maintaining a soft tannin profile. The wine was then pressed and run into selected tight grain French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and maturation prior to blending and bottling.

2007 Robert Oatley Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Mudgee.

List price 16.00; our price 11.99

Individual parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were harvested and fermented cool and gently extracted to retain fruit expression and soft tannins. The wines were then pressed off skins and run into French oak to undergo malolactic fermentation and maturation for 12 months. Individual barrel selections were then blended together.

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 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

Mankas Hills Vineyards is located in the upper Suisun Valley, just a few miles east of the southern slopes of Napa Valley. In 1982 it obtained appellation status as an American Viticultural Area, just after Napa Valley. The area enjoys a unique blend of generous daytime sun and cool afternoon breezes out of the nearby San Pablo and Grizzly Bays. Fog hardly ever penetrates into Suisun Valley due to the protection from the Pacific Ocean by the George Range. Representing the winery will be Annette Weis who will happily answer your questions while pouring her delicious wines.

2007 Mankas Crest Dry Rosé, Suisun Valley

List price 9.95; our price 7.99

Barrel fermented with very short oak exposure this crisp, fruity and invigorating wine is made to be enjoyed on its own by the pool or with a light lunch. It has a silky and refreshing texture, and displays scents of melon, berry, vanilla and eucalyptus. Flavors of watermelon, blueberries and cassis linger in the mouth for a long fruity finish.

2007 Mankas Hills Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

List price 14.50; our price 9.99

This newly released wine displays a deep ruby red color with well developed fragrance and a very elegant balance of aromas and flavors. Aromas of cherry and plums harmonize with caramel, green olive and vanilla scents. A broad profile of black and red fruit flavors blends well with elegantly smooth yet lively tannins. Black pepper tones lead to an enjoyable, gently astringent finish. The distinct texture and finish partner remarkably well with food without overpowering its taste.
It has won a Gold Medal at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

2006 Mankas Hills Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

List price 14.50; our price 9.99

The 2006 Mankas displays unique character and balance. A wide fruit profile harmonizes with elegantly round tannins. Notes of raspberries, black cherries and blueberries blend well with soft vanilla, eucalyptus, and black pepper tones creating an enjoyable balance of aromas and flavors. It won a Silver Medal at the 2009 Pacific Rim Wine Competition and a Bronze Medal at the 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition.

2004 Contado Mankas Cabernet Sauvignon

List price 18.00; our price 13.99

Aromas of vanilla and oak, along with black cherry, wild berries and eucalyptus, rise from the glass as this wine is poured. Flavors of black cherry continue in the mouth along with cassis, plum, and a subtle smoky note. As the wine opens up the black cherry notes build over time. The soft, yet complex texture and long fruit finish show the grace and power of the fruit from the Mankas vineyard. This wine won a Silver Medal at the 2006 L.A. County Fair Wine Competition; a Bronze Medal at the 2006 San Francisco Wine Competition, and, interestingly, the next year it climbed up to a Silver Medal at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition indicating improvement with the extra year of age.

2005 Contado Mankas Cabernet Sauvignon

List price 18.00; our price 13.99

Pronounced flavors of blackberry tannins and spicy aromas of bell peppers, eucalyptus and cinnamon combine with accents of plum, cassis and wild berries for a long lingering finish. The silky, yet complex texture and long fruit finish exemplify the grace and the power of the grapes from the vineyards. It received a Silver Medal at the 2008 Riverside International Wine Competition and a Silver Medal at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

2006 Contado Mankas Cabernet Sauvignon

List price 18.00; our price 13.99

A deep ruby color accompanies rich aromas of vanilla, eucalyptus and oak with notes of caramel, nougat, and mocha. Rich flavors of black cherry, wild berry and fig characterize the enjoyable and smooth mouth-feel of this wine. The mid-palate offers spicy notes of clove with sweet peppers and cassis leading to a robust and long finish. This wine is a luscious, full bodied, well balanced accommodation to many dishes. It picked up a Bronze Medal at the 2009 L.A. County Fair Wine Competition, a Bronze Medal at the 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition and, similarly to the case of the 2004, climbed to a Gold Medal at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

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.

Saturday, October 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

This Saturday we embark upon one of my favorite subjects, Cabernet Sauvignon. Two of the wines are from Napa Valley, two are from Sonoma County and two are from Paso Robles. There is no rhyme nor is there reason for the assortment other than the fact the sealed cases have been sitting in my back room for half a year and now is the perfect time to break them open and enjoy the treasure within. All are similar in structure and the alcohol range is from 14 to 15 %. Yet all do differ from one another and only by tasting them side by side can one fully appreciate the subtleties in variation.

2006 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauv., Napa

List price 25.00; our price 19.99
Tannins are chewy and mouth-coating, merging with engaging flavors of blackberry, black plum and cassis and just a hint of black olive. All this power is knit together into a harmonious whole to create a well-structured wine that makes a bold statement and culminates in a very long, satisfying finish. Robert Parker Wine Advocate gave the wine a 90 Points Rating: “Slightly superior to the 2005, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa possesses a dark ruby/purple color as well as a creme de cassis, spice box, and floral-scented bouquet, and a medium to full-bodied finish. A strong effort, it should drink nicely for 12-15 years.”

2006 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

List price 35.00; our price 29.99

This fine Cab is filled with mountain character and is big, bold and brambly. Fruit is blended from the Mount Veeder ranches with other small lots of rich, intense Napa Valley grapes to create a powerful and complex wine with fine tannins and the potential to age. The blend is 83% Cab, 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah and 2% Malbec and Petite Verdot. There are vibrant layers consisting of brambly dark berry, cassis, bay and mocha. The wine is rich and concentrated with flavors of blackberry, dark cherry, chocolate and cassis. It shows good structure and is well-balanced, with fine-grained tannins and a long finish of cassis and sweet vanilla notes.

2006 Simi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon,
Landslide Vineyard, Sonoma

List price 33.00; our price 28.99

The Landslide Vineyard is comprised of numerous soil types and microclimates created by an ancient volcanic landslide from nearby Mount St. Helena. These soil variations, combined with diverse topography, result in varied bud break, flowering, veraison and harvest times in the vineyard blocks. Along with the complexity created by the different soil types and topography, Simi has planted an assortment of varieties and clones. Nine different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec give winemaker Steve Reeder the tools needed to create spectacular blends of the Bordeaux varietals. The wine has intense plum, black cherry and cassis aromas that are spiced with caramel and toast. In the mouth, blackberry and plum flavors are accented with cocoa and spice giving layers of complexity and depth. It is full on the palate with ripe tannins which lead to lasting flavor and intensity.

2005 Arrowood Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma

List price 29.50; our price 25.00

This wine is deep, dense and highly aromatic. The nose is saturated with plums, cassis, currants, vanilla, earth and toast. The palate is intense and well supported by finely integrated tannins and balanced acidity. It will drink beautifully in its youth and should continue to improve over the next decade. The blend is 95% Cab, 3% Malbec and 2.0% Petit Verdot.

2006 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon, Lock Vineyard,
Paso Robles

List price 29.95; our price 23.50

Écluse Wines is a tiny family owned vineyard and winery tucked away in the prized rolling hills in the Westside of the Paso Robles AVA. The wine shows big, rich meaty notes on the nose while delivering tons of dry blackberry and bramble flavors. The tannins are soft and serve to balance the blackberry and plum fruit. Only 259 cases were produces.

006 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauv., “Celestus”,
Paso Robles

List price 39.95; our price 29.99

The Celestus is a blend of Cab (80%), Syrah (15%) and Petit Verdot (5%). The nose exudes raspberry, red plums, dark cherry, sandlewood, anise, lavender and roses. This wine is dry with a strong tannin backbone and hints of plum, anise, rose petal and is multi layered with a long finish that is very complex. From The Tasting Panel, May 2009: “Rating – 92. Supple and nervy with juicy plum and cassis fruit with sweet oak and racy acidity; long and balanced with smooth finesse. – Anthony Dias Blue”