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 Lodi appellation is producing some excellent wines at very competitive pricing. Some of the oldest vineyards in the state are located there and for good reason: the grapes love growing in that rich farmland area. Although some good white wine grapes are grown there, the emphasis is on red wine and the values that ensue. Enter Van Ruiten Vineyards. Shortly after World War II, young Dutch immigrant, John Van Ruiten settled in the Lodi area. He bought his first farm property and planted Zinfandel. Five decades later, the Van Ruitens farm over 800 acres of wine grapes, with the winery added just prior to the 2000 harvest. Although other fine reds are made here, this area is home to some of California’s best wine-especially Old Vine Zinfandels, and in Lodi, Zinfandel is King. Representing the winery on Saturday will be George Gee, who is always a pleasure to serve as host here.
2008 VAN RUITEN PETITE SIRAH
List price 18.00; our price 15.75
Make an effort to discover the distinct characteristics of this varietal; dark hues, exotic aromas of allspice, plums, and green tea, with flavors of black cherries and ripe plums. Exhibiting generous tannins and a lengthy finish, this Petite Sirah fruit bomb should benefit from several years of aging.
2007 VAN RUITEN CARIGNANE, ANCIENT VINES
List price 18.00; our price 15.75
Carignane was the most widely planted red varietal in France. It also is grown in Italy, Spain, Algeria and Israel. It once was the most planted variety in the new world. Today, only a few of the ancient Carignane vineyards remain in California. Traditionally, Carignane has been used as a blending grape because of its excellent yields, great acidity, and firm tannins. Van Ruiten Family is one of a few wineries to vinify the varietal on its own. This wine hails from a 99 year old head trained vineyard. Only 100 cases were produced from this four acre vineyard. Its dark ruby color opens to aromas of plum, raspberry, and spice. The old vine elicits a taste of Lodi terroir; dark blackberry and cherry fruit flavor with a long smooth tannin finish.
2006 VAN RUITEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
List price 14.00; our price 11.99
This wine won a gold medal with a 94-point rating at the 2008 California State Fair Wine Competition and the best of class, Lodi Appellation, as well. The deep ruby-garnet hued wine shows ripe, spicy black fruit aromas with a mineral accent. A firm entry leads a generous, full-bodied palate with ripe tannins and good depth.
2008 VAN RUITEN ZINFANDEL, GLORY DAYS
List price 12.00; our price 8.99
The wine has dark rich color and plenty of minerality, loads of bright, savory, raspberry and black currant fruit, with hints of pepper. The Glory Days Zin is 87% Zinfandel, 6% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignane (99 year old vines) and 2% Tannat. The nose is sweet cinnamon spice, red raspberry jam, clove and pepper. It has jammy rich fruit upfront: tasty raspberry, blackberry, and cherry. Sweet tannins and a good blueberry finish elevate this rich, deep, balanced Zinfandel.
2008 VAN RUITEN ZINFANDEL, OLD VINES
List price 18.00; our price 15.75
This Zinfandel fruit was hand selected from the first vineyard John Van Ruiten planted over 50 years ago and is among the families most prized grapes. The wine is packed full of blackberry, cherry and blueberry jam with barrel flavors contributing aromas of coffee, cedar, and finishing with anise. It was voted the Best Zinfandel in America at the 2009 Wall Street Journal Wine Competition. It received a Double Gold and Best Zinfandel award at the 2009 Lodi International Wine Competition. Also in 2009, it received gold medals at both the World Wine Championships and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Quite impressive.
2006 VAN RUITEN ZINFANDEL, “SIDEWAYS” RESERVE
List price 30.00; our price 27.00
This Zin draws primarily from a wide selection of the oldest, most historic and lowest-bearing Zinfandel acreage. It shows wonderful flavors of dusty raspberry, blackberry, currants and walnut with hints of coffee and chocolate molasses. Some vanilla from the new French oak barrels compliments the explosive fruit flavors. It won a gold medal at the 2008 World Wine Championships with a 92 point rating and was designated an “Exceptional” Cellar Selection.