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: ****

2006 Duxoup "Frediani Vineyard" Charbono

This Charbono--a varietal that makes up only a tiny fraction of a percent of grapes grown in America--was enjoyable but failed to delight. Right away there was signature napa terroir, and I was glad to see it was a single vineyard Charbono, but overall the wine had a thin and straightforward taste, which was a bit dusty. Without enough big flavors or complexity, it's low alcohol content (12.5%) left the overall experience of the wine to be average at best. This, to be fair, follows an evening enjoying one of the most delightful August Briggs wines I've ever had--a 2007 Zinfandel. So there may have been some lingering sense that this was not the same caliber of bottle...but as spanish speakers say...asi es la vida!

Presentation: **

Nose: ***

Complexity: *

Value: *

Overall: **

Cycles Gladiator 2007 Syrah

Presentation: ****

Nose: ***

Complexity: ****

Value: ****

Overall: ****

I truly thought I was over Syrah/Shiraz completely until I had a bottle of this a few weeks ago on a hot summer night. I cooled it down and drank it at about 55 or 60 degrees and it was a true delight. While I'd overlooked it in the past (at room temperature) it showcased it's best side when cooled. With flavors of cedar, spice box, and aromatic pipe tobacco--and a inky color to boot--this wine's a true winner.

2005 Old Vines Mas Donis Barrica Granacha

This 85% Grenache/15% Syrah had a vine-like, bramble-type flavor, which was striking at first pour. The more time I gave it, though, the better I liked it, as flavors of earth, pebbles and brick came forward. Even after a few days of refrigeration (I had to part ways with this bottle for an out-of-town triathlon) it maintained a great deal of its flavor, though the nose wasn't as apparent. I tend to enjoy spicy thai food and even spicier salsas, so this was just my cup of tea...even if it took me a glass and a half to get used to it. If you like spicy California Zinfandels and don't mind something with a bit of muscle, this might be a good wine to try. It retails at $13-15 a bottle.

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

Overall: ****

Folie e Deux Amador County Zinfandel 2006

The best thing about this Zinfandel is it's savory swirled flavor. The best way to describe the flavor might be ambling down a dusty trail with a strawberry patch on either side of you. The flavors this wine brings forth are generous and underneath the velvety mouthfeel, there's a spicy quality as well. Three stars across the board, except for the four star (perhaps even four and a half star) complexity. Delightful as a stand alone bottle, best just below room temperature!

Nose: ***

Presentation: ***

Complexity: ****

Value: ***

Overall: ***

Albero Organic Tempranillo 2006

This fiesty tempranillo has a good deal of bite, along with some cherry and gravelly flavors. The nose itself is rocky and terse. Not unlike the great Billie Holiday, this wine has a tone and a style all its own, with a certain combination of roughness and refinement packed into one. I think this is a wine that makes a great deal of sense with Spanish cuisine: olives, bread with oil, almonds, cheese, etc. Wonderful for the price!

Nose: ****

Presentation: ***

Complexity: ****

Value: ****

Overall: ****

"NEXT:" 2007 Pinot Noir (Eugene, OR)

This enjoyable bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir accomplishes a good deal in its subtlety, and is especially striking in its nose. It's most significant flavors are earth and loam, but its nose includes wildflowers and meadow grasses. The nose, simply put, is wonderful. The winemaking also shows good craftmanship. The bottle's psuedo-poetry remarks "we always stand at a crossroads" and this bottle indeed reminds us of that--standing at the crossroads of mediocrity and excellence--it could use a shove in one of the two directions. As it stands, I found it to be lacking in the "bite" or harshness that belies low-quality (and low cost) pinot noirs, but also lacking that which would make it a stellar pinot. [note: this photo features the tough, arduous life of a wine blogger]

Presentation: ****

Nose: ****

Complexity: **

Value: *

Overall: ***