​Saturday, February 19, 2011

4 to 5:30 pm

$10.00 per person

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

Grgich Hills Estate (formerly Grgich Hills Cellar) is located in Rutherford, California in the heart of the Napa Valley. The winery changed its name in 2006 when it first began producing only “estate grown” wines made from grapes grown exclusively in vineyards owned by the winery. The vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic and the winery converted to solar energy in 2006. Winemaker Mike Grgich first gained international recognition at the historic Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 when the Chardonnay he produced at Chateau Montelena won first prize among white wines, much to the chagrin of the French. We have been fortunate the last two years to have the opportunity to host this master wine maker at our Saturday wine event. Naturally, we will be pouring his exceptionally fine wines as well as offering hors d’oeuvres that compliment the varietals being offered. Half of the fee to attend ($5.00) will go toward each person’s purchase of the featured wines. Mike will be signing bottles during the event and you can have yours personalized. As usual, the wines are outstanding.

2008 GRGICH HILLS ESTATE FUMÉ BLANC, NAPA VALLEY
List price 26.50; our price 23.99
​80% of the grapes were fermented in previously used small French oak barrels with the rest in 900-gallon French oak casks, called foudres, using only naturally occurring yeasts. Afterward the wine was aged six months on its lees (the spent yeast) in neutral barrels. These techniques added body while showcasing the wonderful fruit; not masking it behind new oak. Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar publication awarded this wine 91 points: “Pale silvery-yellow color. Aromas of lemon, grapefruit and spices. Juicy and brisk but ultimately supple, with intense, medium-bodied flavors of grapefruit and licorice lifted by minerals and flowers. Finishes brisk, firm-edged and long ($30)”

2008 GRGICH HILLS ESTATE CHARDONNAY, NAPA VALLEY
List price 37.50; our price 33.95
This biodynamic Chardonnay did not undergo malolactic fermentation, thereby reserving its wonderful acidity. The wine displays aromas of orange blossom honey and toasted almonds with a hint of tropical fruit and crushed stone on the finish. Match this Chardonnay’s elegant style with poached salmon, roasted chicken, grilled pork, or creamy cheeses.

2005 GRGICH HILLS ESTATE MERLOT, NAPA VALLEY
List price 33.00; our price 29.95
The great thing about estate grown grapes is that the winemaker has 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.

2007 GRGICH HILLS ESTATE ZINFANDEL, NAPA VALLEY
List price 33.95; our price 31.00
Grown at the estate vineyard in Calistoga, nestled in northern tip of Napa Valley, these Zinfandel grapes are certified organic and Biodynamic, as well. Classic Zinfandel flavors of strawberries, raspberries and plums make this wine the perfect match for grilled meats, thin crust pizza and pastas with tomato sauce; or just for sipping while the mind wanders and wonders.

2006 GRGICH HILLS ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY
List price 53.00; our price 48.00
The varietal blend here is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. The result is an elegant wine with aromas of black cherries and licorice with a long finish focused on notes of chocolate and red and black currants. Full bodied with smooth tannins, it’s the perfect partner with filet mignon, grilled steak or lamb chops.

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, February 5, 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

Every once and a while it is instructive to turn away from the usual stuff and pay some attention to the unique varietals that abound about us. There are thousands of wine grape varietals and we tend to stay with the tried and true, which for most people can be counted on the fingers of one hand. For those of us dealing with wine on a daily basis, this can get really boring, especially for wine makers. So, to amuse myself and hopefully titillate you as well, we will taste and discuss the following wines. Two are repeats from the Kenneth Volk event last month, but as I was away on vacation, I will revisit them and share with you my enthusiasm for esoterica.

2008 CASTELLO BANFI PRINCIPESSA PERLANTE, GAVI, PIEMONTE
List price 17.50; our price 13.99
Cortese is the white grape in this beautifully packaged soft and dry white wine. It is a delicate, and elegant, product of the Gavi vineyards of the Piedmont region of Italy. The floral citrusy flavors are enhanced by a slight spritz that dances merrily across the tongue.

2009 ARGIOLAS “COSTAMOLINO”, SARDEGNA
List price 18.00; our price 14.99
This Vermentino is from Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean. The property owned by Antonio Argiolas is located about fifteen miles from Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital. Antonio and his sons, Franco and Peppetto, have worked hard to become leaders in Sardinian enology. They have been able to incorporate the use of modern technology into their traditional winemaking processes to attain high standards in quality. The wine is subtle with a delicate bouquet. It has a fresh, dry, well-defined palate with pleasant delicacy and crispness.

2001 RAINBOW RIDGE ALICANTE BOUSCHET, LODI
List price 22.00; our price 19.99
This Alicante Bouschet, al-eh-KAN-tay (Fr. Ah-lee-KAHNT) boo-SHAY, you may remember was the brain child of Dennis Costa whose Rainbow Ridge wines enjoyed a short but well-received success. Especially this bottling garnered accolades, including a 91 rating from Wine Enthusiast Magazine and a bronze medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Widely cultivated since 1866, it is a cross of Petit Bouschet and Grenache. Alicante is a teinturier, a grape with red flesh, and is one of the few teinturier grapes that belong to the Vitis Vinifera species (the wines you know and love). Its deep color makes it useful for blending with light red wine.

2008 KENNETH VOLK NEGRETTE, SAN BENITO COUNTY
List price 19.00; our price 15.99
Negrette has its own distinct aroma and flavor profile. It shares some of the characteristics of both Syrah and Pinot Noir. This wine has aromas and flavors of bramble fruit and cherry with spicy, old vine gaminess. It is a deeply pigmented wine with relatively low tannin and a silky smooth texture.

2007 KENNETH VOLK MOURVÈDRE, ENZ VINEYARD
List price 22.00; our price 19.99
The Enz Vineyard Mourvèdre is one of the oldest planting of that varietal in California. In its 86th growing season, these ancient head-trained vines produced a beautiful well balanced crop of small-berried clusters. Traditional winemaking techniques and aging in French oak helped to craft this delicious wine. Ripe fruit aromas and exotic spice are followed by flavors of blueberry, cherry and licorice.

MIRABILE NERO D’AVOLA, SICILIA
List price 15.00; our price 12.99
​This Nero d-Avola (literally “the black grape of Avola”) has an intense ruby red color with violet highlights. The scent is elegant, with hints of ripe fruit and spices. It is complex on the palate thanks to polyphenols, (the chemical class of tannins is a subset of polyphenols) sustained by the right degree of tanginess. This is an everyday kind of wine showing good balance, persistence on the finish and representing excellent value.