Recently Featured In Wine Spectator Blog
Posted
February 22, 2010
Rising Stars of the Southwest
Continued...
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.
James Molesworth
 A little while back I blogged about the emerging
wine scene in Arizona.
There are now 44 wineries operating and over
630 acres of vines currently producing
approximately 50,000 cases annually. It’s
not a lot compared to the much larger
California production,
but it is growing quickly.
Though the Arizona wine industry is still
nascent, there’s some serious quality
already. Reds from Syrah, Grenache and
Mourvèdre, as well as Petite Sirah, show
real promise. They deliver plush texture and
a wild array of red, blue, purple and black
fruits, but with good underlying definition
and minerality too. There is some Cabernet
Sauvignon and tinkering with Italian
varietals, but early returns give the
distinct edge to Rhône varieties.
Whites are a little more
inconsistent—varieties like Viognier,
Marsanne and Roussanne, as well as Malvasia,
can provide intriguing orange peel,
clementine and apricot notes with broad,
waxy textures offset by good freshness for
balance. There are some off-kilter bottlings
too though, that come off as too flabby or
hot.
Here is a set of new
releases, including those from former Wine Spectator.com
guest-blogger Maynard James Keenan’s
own Caduceus label, as well as the Arizona
Stronghold label in which he partners with
Page Springs Cellars owner and winemaker
Eric Glomski.
Also 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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