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This
month we have been chosen as the
BEST ARIZONAN WINERY
in the
Nightlife and Cocktails category,
click
here to see more.
Click the banner
above to watch a video of Sam Pillsbury
explain the advantages of growing wine in
Arizona.
Roan
Red 2009
90
Points
MARK
TARBELL,
Wine Critic & Iron
CHEF
AZ REPUBLIC December 21, 2010
Winter red wines make great gift
2009 Pillsbury
Wine Co. Roan Red, Cochise County
($20-$22)
- (63 percent
Grenache, 25 percent Mourvedre, 12
percent Syrah.) This wine is shockingly
light in color; I expected an American
Rhone-like darkness, but it's more like
a French Rhone Grenache. This is good!
The aroma has sexy appeal from the
American Oak resin and cedar, with juicy
ripe red fruit. The taste has a balanced
pepper grip while being rounded out with
lush fruit. It's really all it should
be. 90 points.
The other day I
was talking with someone about
wine.
He had been holiday shopping at one of
the new mega wine stores and said that
while it was a great place to buy vodka,
every time he picked up one of the
store's recommended wines he was
disappointed. He wanted to give wines
that his friends would appreciate and
was looking for guidance.
It's hard to
recommend wines without knowledge of a
person's tastes. Even your best friend
might know what you like but not why. So
to surprise a person with something
different that will still be enjoyed can
be a challenge.
First of all, don't
be too fixated on price. There's an
acceptable price range for wines that
come in a bottle, and I think the sweet
spot is $8-$18. There is a tremendous
inventory of choice in this range. There
are many wines of true merit priced
higher, but it's not often comfortable
to spend that much. (That said, there is
no better time than now to buy
higher-end boutique wines. The economy
has made them more available than in
good times. Stock up.)
More important
than price is an acceptable
taste
profile. If you're not sure what your
friend likes, you can find a safe bet.
There are two camps in white wines, for
example. Camp 1 likes "dry" whites; the
wines must have a crisp citrus character
and not taste "bitter." Camp 2 loves
Chardonnays and the like. It looks for
softness, toast, creaminess and "oaky,
toasty" character. If you know the
"camp" your friend usually stays in,
you'll be able to choose something he or
she will enjoy.
In the red
department, we Arizonans lean toward the
California style of ripe, fruit-forward,
smooth and extracted. Here are a few
reds that will not go unappreciated.
2009 Pillsbury
Wine Co. Roan Red, Cochise County
($20-$22)
- (63 percent
Grenache, 25 percent Mourvedre, 12
percent Syrah.) This wine is shockingly
light in color; I expected an American
Rhone-like darkness, but it's more like
a French Rhone Grenache. This is good!
The aroma has sexy appeal from the
American Oak resin and cedar, with juicy
ripe red fruit. The taste has a balanced
pepper grip while being rounded out with
lush fruit. It's really all it should
be. 90 points.
Recently Featured In Wine Spectator Blog
Posted
February 22, 2010 (online edition) Here is
an excerpt:
Rising Stars of the Southwest
James Molesworth
The state of Arizona has a small but
emerging wine scene. These 19 very good reds
and whites are bringing credibility to the
wines of the Grand Canyon State. Read More
Of note here are new wines from former filmmaker Sam
Pillsbury’s Pillsbury Wine Company.
PILLSBURY WINE COMPANY Petite Sirah Cochise
County Stronghold Vineyard 2007 Score:
89 | $54
Ripe but nicely focused, with a delicious
brambly streak holding the blueberry,
blackberry and Linzer torte flavors
together. Smoky, but integrated with a
spice-filled finish. Very tasty. Drink now.
30 cases made. Red.—J.M.
PILLSBURY
WINE COMPANY Diva Cochise County 2007 Score:
88 | $36
Juicy and ripe, with lots of wild blueberry,
loganberry and linzer torte flavors backed
by a smoky mesquite note. The fleshy finish
shows a streak of raisin, but stays focused
and fresh enough. Lots of fun. Grenache,
Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre. Drink now. 173
cases made. Red. —J.M.
PILLSBURY WINE COMPANY Roan Red
Cochise County 2007 Score:
88 | $24
High-toned, with vanilla, raspberry and Bing
cherry notes backed by a snap of red
licorice on the finish. Good underlying
acidity should help it age a touch, while it
fleshes out. Syrah and Grenache. Drink now
through 2011. 186 cases made. Red. —J.M
Read More About Pillsbury Wine:
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