Sunday, October 17, 2010

Dos Cabezas "El Norte" 2006


When I saw this unique bottle of Dos Cabezas at Total Wine and More while visiting my family in Arizona this spring, I couldn't resist picking up a bottle of this red blend for about $20. Having spent a brief time volunteering in Cochise County, I was curious what kind of quality the wine would have, especially given the arid conditions particularly near the border and around Bisbee. It blends Granache, Petit Sirah, Syrah, and Mourvedre in unspecified amounts, and I think the chalky dry flavors that come out of Spanish Granache are particularly apparent here. The nose is subtle, but the flavors linger long after a sip, and include anise, dried herbs, and leather. This wine scores high points, particularly for it's complexity and presentation. Nicely done, Dos Cabezas!

Presentation: ****
Nose: ***
Complexity: *****
Value: ***

Overall: ****