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Photo by David Zickl

Greg Tresner
Master Sommelier
Il Terrazzo
The Phoenician

“What’s most impressive about today’s Arizona wine industry are the creative blends that our winemakers are producing, with excellent results and great variety,” says Tresner, one of about 120 master sommeliers in the country. “Here are a dozen wines that I’ve tasted that I can recommend, some light-bodied, some fuller-bodied, some enjoyable now and some that will benefit from a few years of cellaring.”

Malvasia Bianca
Caduceus Cellars: Dos Ladrones, Cochise County, 2009
(50% malvasia bianca, 50% chardonnay)
Clean, fresh ripe lemon, balanced acidity, medium body, quite dry with flavors of lemon peel on the lingering finish.

Sand-Reckoner Vineyards: Malvasia Bianca, Cochise County, 2010
(100% malvasia bianca)
Green tints highlight this pale straw wine with aromas of wildflowers, arugula, menthol and lemon. There is a round texture here with finishing flavors of peaches, honey and apricots. Moderately dry.

Viognier
Callaghan Vineyards: Lisa’s, Sonoita, 2009
(viognier, riesling, malvasia bianca, roussanne, marsanne)
A bright straw color. Round, balanced, with a touch of herb oil, green melon, and white peach. Lingering fruit on the light, crisp finish.

Page Springs Cellars: La Serrana, Cochise County, 2010
(50% viognier, 50% roussanne)
Medium body, ripe melon, hints of crème brûlée toasted sugar, and tangy lemon, while finishing crisp and dry.

White Blend
Pillsbury Wine Company: Wild Child White, Cochise County, 2009
(pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, malvasia, muscat, roussanne)
Fresh, light, dry, smooth, complex aromatics mixed with skin tannin for body with balanced acidity, alcohol and flavors. Many green notes reminiscent of chrysanthemum and dandelion, wildflower honey aromas and lemon flavors – lemon oil for a smooth body and tart lemon for the finish.

Rosé
Arizona Stronghold: Dayden, Graham County, 2010
(89% zinfandel, 9% sangiovese, 2% petite sirah)
Light raspberry color and flavor, with cherry, strawberry and pleasant beeswax aromas. Zesty and dry with the red fruits returning on the finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Arizona Stronghold: Lozen, Verde Valley, 2010
(35% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot, 20% cabernet franc, 14% malbec)
Supple oak, ripe black raspberry and currant fruit. Medium body and a very good marriage of flavors. Dry. Needs cellaring but will taste great now with mesquite-grilled meats.

Caduceus Cellars: Nagual de la Naga, Cochise County, 2010
(46% cabernet sauvignon, 23% merlot,
23% sangiovese, 8% tempranillo)
Youthful with red berry and currant aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, dry with balanced acidity. Delicious now after aeration but will cellar well.

Red Blend
Sand-Reckoner Vineyards: “2,” Cochise County, 2010
(70% sangiovese, 30% syrah)
Dry, medium body with some bitter cherry, tobacco, and tilled earth aromas. The tannins will need some cellaring to soften, but it’s enjoyable now after decanting as a contrast to a ripe tomato and pepperoncini sauce with pasta.

Dos Cabezas Wineworks: El Campo, Elgin, 2009
(mostly mourvèdre, tempranillo, with petit verdot, grenache, syrah, aglianico
and roussanne)
Dark cherry and currant, earth, tobacco and chocolate aromas with a medium texture. Smooth, balanced acidity, very flavorful now after breathing, with sweet cherries on the finish.

Rhône Red Blend
Page Springs Cellars: SGMp, Arizona, 2010
(47% syrah, 13% grenache, 31% mourvèdre, 9% petite sirah)
Medium to full body, dark cherry with strong aromas. Young with chewy tannins.
I would like this after several years of bottle age.

Arizona Stronghold: Nachise,
Cochise County, 2010
(47% syrah, 19% grenache, 15% mourvèdre, 14% petite sirah, 5% counoise)
Black fruits and a touch of earth, smoke and tobacco aromatics. On the light side of medium body, balanced acidity, mild tannins and some blackberry flavor at the finish.

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