Join us Saturday, July 22, 2017, from 4 to 5:30 pm for our wine tasting event featuring Norma Jeane Merlot: 6 years

The Norma Jeane concept is really an opportunity to splash early publicity photos of Marilyn Monroe onto wine bottles.  This series is released at a considerably lower price owning to the fact the wine is simpler.  It does not receive the barrel treatment that the Marilyn Merlot series gets, and not the cellar treatment.  However, it is always the case with Norma Jeane/Marilyn that the pictures are lovely and the youthful Norma Jean shines from the label in much the fun way the wines do from the glass.  The vertical we are tasting this Saturday are young wines that are meant to be drunk in their youth, yet is should be interesting to see how the wines have evolved.  Ultimately it is for collectors to fully appreciate these bottlings as both the Norma Jeane and the Marilyn Merlot series continue to attract a serious following.

Featured Wines:

2015 Norma Jeane Merlot, Paso Robles, 10.99
In this photo by Bruno Bernard, you see a 20-year-old Norma Jeane with an eager smile and wide eyes, doing pinup poses with a very un-pinup expression. This was from Bernard Bruno’s first sitting with her in 1949 and it got Norma Jeane her first studio screen test and motion picture contract. 85 points by Wine Enthusiast magazine and Bronze Award at the 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
 
2014 Norma Jeane Merlot, Paso Robles, 25.00
Marilyn appears on the cover of the magazine Personal Romance wearing a red striped blouse and a ship captain’s hat in this photo taken by Bruno Bernard. Marilyn once remarked "Remember Bruno, everything started with you!" as he took some of the earliest photos of Marilyn.  GOLD MEDAL at the 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
 
2013 Norma Jeane Merlot, California, 25.00
The photo on the label was taken by Bernard Bruno (also known as Bernard of Hollywood) and it shows Norma Jeane in one of their earliest sittings.  This young Merlot displayed on release the characteristics the company strives for: softer tannins, lower alcohol, and fresh fruit favors.  We’ll see how it holds up three years after harvest.
 
2012 Norma Jeane Merlot, Lodi, 25.00
Soft tannins, lower alcohol, and fresh fruit flavors are the hallmarks of this series. This 2012 Norma Jeane wine is rich in color with dark berry flavors.  This is another photo was taken by Bruno Bernard.  The wine won a Bronze Award 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
 
2011 Norma Jeane Merlot, California, 39.00
Bruno Bernard took this photo in 1949 at the Palm Springs Racquet Club, with Norma Jeane playfully posing on a diving board above shimmering water the color of her bathing suit.  It was during this photo shoot that she was introduced to the Hollywood agent Johnny Hyde, who secured a role for her in The Asphalt Jungle, leading to her fame as Marilyn Monroe.  In 2013, this bottling won a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy at 88 points.
 
2010 Norma Jeane Merlot, Paso Robles, 29.00
The label for this 2010 vintage is graced by a 1940's photo of Norma Jeane making an entrance in a shimmering gown, and perfectly captures her vivacious charm, not unlike the wine in the bottle.

$10.00 per customer
$5.00 will be credited towards purchase of any wine in store over $10.00
Home of: www.WineAndSpiritGifts.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #22, Palm Springs, 92264, 760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

​Saturday, June 4, 2016
4:00 to 5:30 pm

$10.00 per customer
$5.00 will be credited towards purchase of wines below

Home of: www.WineAndSpiritGifts.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #22, Palm Springs, 92264
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030
facebook.com/DesertWinesAndSpirits

Marilyn has turned 90 and there is much by which to remember her. Besides the movies and recordings we get to celebrate each and every birthday with the release of a new wine vintage dedicated to her. Norma Jeane is the young Merlot that sees no wood aging. Marilyn Merlot is the serious wine made of fine Napa grapes that will age gracefully as we wish Marilyn had done. This Saturday we will visit the last 3 vintages of Norma Jeane Merlot and 3 vintages of Marilyn Merlot with one selection from 2006 to show how these wines age.
Those attending will have an opportunity to win a “Marilyn” poster when we have a drawing at 5:00 pm.

2015 Norma Jeane Merlot
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LIST PRICE 12.00; OUR PRICE 10.99
In this photo by Bruno Bernard, you see a 20-year-old Norma Jeane with an eager smile and wide eyes, doing pinup poses with a very un-pinup expression. This was from Bernard Bruno’s first sitting with her in 1949 and it got Norma Jeane her first studio screen test and motion picture contract. There is a nice intensity of aromas featuring raspberries, red currants, and plums with hints of spice and cedar notes. The flavors are similar to the aromas with a rich medium body and good weight on the palate.

2014 Norma Jeane Merlot

LIST PRICE 15.00; OUR PRICE 12.99
Marilyn appears on the cover of the magazine Personal Romance wearing a red striped blouse and a ship captain’s hat in this photo taken by Bruno Bernard. Marilyn once remarked “Remember Bruno, everything started with you!” as he took some of the earliest photos of Marilyn. The wine’s profile is similar to the 2015 with raspberries, red currants, plums, spice and cedar. GOLD Award; San Francisco Wine Competition.

2013 Norma Jeane Merlot

LIST PRICE 20.00; OUR PRICE 16.00
Here is another photo taken by Bernard Bruno who was also known as Bernard of Hollywood, showing Norma Jeane in yet another of their first sittings. This young Merlot, displays the characteristics of softer tannins, lower alcohol, and fresh fruit favors.

2013 Marilyn Merlot

LIST PRICE 26.00; OUR PRICE 24.00
Bernard Bruno took this photograph of Marilyn in 1952 as a publicity still for the movie Niagara. It was the movie that made Marilyn a star when it was released. The aromas exhibit a complexity of dark, mature fruit hints of mocha, forest floor and earthiness characters. This merlot has a solid medium body, good structure, and is well balanced with well integrated tannins. The flavors follow the aromas with added nuances of spice, cherry, and a bright lingering finish. Very enjoyable now but will reward with 5-8 years of aging. It was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

2011 Marilyn Merlot

LIST PRICE 45.00; OUR PRICE 35.00
The 2011 features a relaxed, playful image of Marilyn Monroe in a green, low-cut blouse, short black skirt and timeless fishnet stockings with black peep-toe pumps. This vintage is the 27th release of this fine wine. Aromas of strawberry and cherries, primarily thyme and lavender complement the oak components of vanilla and smoke from the wood. Moderate alcohol and good acidity make this wine a good pairing with many foods.

2006 Marilyn Merlot

LIST PRICE 95.00; OUR PRICE 75.00
The photo of Marilyn in a daringly low-cut dress was taken in 1958, and the dress is believed to be the one she wore at the debut announcement of Some Like It Hot. This vintage is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The additional flavors and structure that Cabernet gives to the predominately Merlot-based wine adds both character and aging ability. There are aromas of toasted oak and a more complex mouth feel from the new oak tannins. The fruit flavors are soft and mature.

Saturday, June 5, 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’ve elected to go with glamour in a glass this Saturday: the Marilyn Merlots from Nova Wine Company of Napa.  Each year yet another portrait of Marilyn Monroe adorns these conversational pieces.  It’s the ultimate gift; elegant, well-endowed and drinking beautifully.  The release of the 2008 vintage on June 1st, Marilyn’s birthday, celebrates the 24th vintage of a wine appreciated by fans of the iconic star, collectors of Marilyn memorabilia, and lovers of fine Napa Valley wine.  (This would be the sex symbol’s 84th year)  These bottlings are all about the collectability of the fabulous labels, but not many people have taken the opportunity to actually taste the wines.  That’s what makes this tasting event so special.Bob and Donna Holder, principal owners of Marilyn Merlot, moved to Napa in 1977 from Kansas City, Mo.  He was a CPA, and she taught at St. Helena High School, but they quickly gravitated to wine.  Using purchased grapes, they produced their first homemade Merlot in 1983.  Their 1985 wine was bottled in 1987 and after consulting the attorney representing the estate of Marilyn Monroe, they decided on the name Marilyn Merlot.  They eventually hammered out a licensing contract, which allowed them to use the photo reproductions on the labels and gave exclusive rights to the brand name.  As of 1997, the Holders shifted from purchasing bulk wine to purchasing grapes.  The wine is made at the Napa Wine Co., with fruit from three sources: the Yount Mill Vineyard in Yountville, the Beckstoffer Vineyard X in Oakville and the Beckstoffer Melrose Vineyard in Rutherford.  Cabernet Sauvignon makes up about 15 percent of the blend.

2003 MARILYN MERLOT, NAPA
List price 35.00; today only 21.99
Sam Shaw, Marilyn’s favorite photographer and a lifelong confidant, shot this photograph of Marilyn used on the label. When asked about Sam Shaw, Marilyn said, “He always makes me look my best”.  The addition of Cabernet adds greater complexity to the nose and more structure to the mouth.  This wine was barrel aged using 30% new wood to enhance the aromas of vanilla and roasted coffee.  The fruity aromas and flavors are ripe and soft reflecting the maturity and quality of the grapes.

2004 MARILYN MERLOT, NAPA
List price 29.50; today only 21.99
The 2004 Vintage of Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The winemaker’s typical use of 25% new oak barrels each year gives aromas of toasted vanilla beans and a more complex mouth feel from the new oak tannins.  The fruit flavors are soft and ripe.

2005 MARILYN MERLOT, NAPA
List price 24.25; today only 21.99
This is a very dark ruby wine.  Pleasant aromas offer the standard profile for New World Merlot: juicy black cherries dark chocolate and a whiff of vanilla.  Ripe and fruit-forward the first taste follows the nose; luscious and almost soft but it gains structure from fresh mouth-watering acidity and gentle but perceptible tannins.

2006 MARILYN MERLOT, NAPA
List price 24.25; today only 21.99
The photo of Marilyn in a daringly low-cut dress was taken in 1958, and the dress is believed to be the one she wore at the debut announcement of Some Like It Hot.  The toasted oak gives the wine a more complex mouth feel, especially from the new oak tannins.  The fruit flavors are soft and mature.  Wines & Spirits rated the wine 90 points: “A big, rich red with tart cherry flavors and sweet tannins, finishing clean.

2007 MARILYN MERLOT, NAPA
List price 24.25; today only 21.99
The 23rd vintage features Marilyn with a sultry look only she could master and wearing a white low cut dress draped off of one shoulder.  Following the consistent pattern, the wine is soft and elegant, with nice spice notes and easy gong tannins.

2008 MARILYN MERLOT, NAPA
List price 24.25; today only 21.99
​The striking and glamorous image of Marilyn Monroe in a purple, shoulder less cocktail dress is from photos done for the release of The Asphalt Jungle in 1950, a film noir classic for which John Huston was nominated for an Oscar and in which Marilyn plays to perfection her role as the mistress of a crooked attorney.