Hello, Feastlings.
While Arizona wine country is a lot closer than California, it’s still not always as accessible as we’d like. A trip to the Chiricahuas and back will cost you most of a day, and with a wine tasting under your belt it won’t be the safest or the most enjoyable drive you’ve ever taken on the way home. Our answer to this conundrum is to take the mountain to Mohammed. For this month’s Last Sunday tasting, Curt Dunham and his wife Peggy Fiandaca join us with their wines in tow to save us all a drive. It’s a perfect opportunity to see another step in the evolution of Arizona wine, which gets better with each passing year. They’ll only have five wines with them instead of the usual six, one of which is in short supply. With fewer wines, the tasting is a mere $25 plus tax and gratuity, and will still come with the customary food pairings. If you’d like to join us for the tasting, it will be at 3:30 on Sunday, the 25th, and regrettably, web and email reservations are no guarantee, so if you’d like to join us, please call us at 326-9363.
Lawrence Dunham Vineyards
2012 Sky Island Viognier $22.00
100% estate grown Viognier was minimally processed and produced in stainless steel to preserve the acidity, intense aromatics, and fruit flavors the Viognier grape provides. This wine was made to emulate the characteristics of food friendly and zesty Sauvignon Blancs and dry Rieslings. As with all of their Sky Island offerings, there is no oak influence.
Winemaker Notes: Enjoy as an aperitif or pair with light cheeses, grilled fruits and vegetables, seafood, poultry, or spicy Asian cuisine. 302 cases produced
2012 Signature Viognier $27.00
The 2012 Viognier was made from Lawrence Dunham Vineyards estate-grown fruit and was barrel fermented and aged for 16 months in a combination of neutral Hungarian oak and custom made new French/American hybrid oak barrels. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation to bring out the tropical characteristics of the Viognier grape.
Winemaker Notes: Enjoy with lobster, grilled chicken, macaroni and cheese, or just a few good friends! 103 cases produced.
2010 Sky Island Grenache $24.00
Like all of their Sky Island wines, the 2010 Sky Island Grenache showcases the unique characteristics of the grapes grown in the Chiricahua Mountains. This bottling is comprised of 82% Grenache and 18% Petite Sirah aged for 21 months in all neutral oak barrels.
Winemaker Notes: Fruit and spice with nice acidity. Wine will pair well with light beef dishes, poultry, fish, and cheeses. 162 cases produced.
2010 Signature Grenache $28.00
The 2010 Grenache was crafted from 100% Chiricahua Mountain fruit aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 21 months. The wine is comprised of 90% Grenache and 10% Petite Sirah.
Winemaker Notes: Rich and toasty. Wine will pair well with a variety of foods or serve by itself. 45 cases produced.
2011 Signature Petite Sirah $44.00
”The Signature” reflects the Dunhams’ belief that Petite Sirah is going to be the signature grape of their estate and of the Chiricahua Mountains.
They call it ”liquid midnight” but you can enjoy it any time of the day:100% Petite Sirah, 83% aged in new American oak barrels for 22 months.
Winemaker Notes: Bold, toasty, and spicy. This wine is great with bold flavored dishes or rich grilled meats. 134 cases produced.