2008 Arizona Stronghold Mangus, Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese/Merlot

Color - Nice even Red

Nose - Strawberry, cherry, plum

Taste - This wine is fairly sweet and quite fruit forward. It's not unpleasant even though I don't usually like sweet reds. It's not particularly complex, has smooth round tannins, and a nice clean, even finish. The finish contains hints of smoke and apple skin. This wine is young but not biting from too much alcohol or bitter like a lot of young red wines. The Sangiovese sweetens the red, but the Cabernet Sauvignon keeps it grounded. I would have to say the Sangiovese is much more dominant in this wine even though there is a higher percentage of the Cabernet. The blends from Arizona Stronghold lean on the sweet but but also dry with a very decent structure and enough depth to keep my taste buds from getting bored.

Overall, this is a decent wine though you can find others at the same price point that are just as good. It's good and will last in the bottle. The wine might mature into something more complex. But it is really quite enjoyable as an every day drinker. I would definitely recommend this wine as one to pick and try, even to keep on hand. It's sweet, yes, but it's smooth with a medium bodied and something to keep a smile on your face.

Incidentally, this is a partnership between Maynard James Keenan (yes that MJK) and Eric Glomski (Renowned Vigneron and owner of Page Spring Cellars) to make good wine blends from Arizona grown grapes.
Arizona Stronghold Vineyards

2006 Merkin Vineyards Caduceus Chupacabra

I review this wine first only because it is a local wine, and I have been a fan of the vineyard's owner (Maynard James Keenan) since I was a teenager. I picked this wine up from Total Wine for 16.99, which is cheap compared to other wines from Mr. Keenan. I hadn't read any reviews of Caduceus wines though I had watched "Blood Into Wine". With all that being said, on to the review.

Color - Dark red bordering on violet

Nose - Black Cherry, Pepper (very light in the nose)

Taste - This wine was very dry to my taste on the attack, with just a hint of black cherry and plum. The tannins were very present (I like strong tannins and this wine has a lot of them). Large alcohol bite on the finish and in the throat, though I didn't find this off-putting. The wine is spicy with hints of tobacco flavor as the attack lessens. When paired with red pasta the fruit shines through and the bite and acidity lessen somewhat. Very enjoyable with food, a little overwhelming by itself. Pepper and spice also pull through quite a bit with red pasta. On the third tasting I tried it with a nice Jarlsburg Swiss and a gouda. The wine evinced lovely vanilla flavors with hints of coconut just as the wine left my tongue, very pleasant.

Overall - Though this wine is great when paired, especially with cheese, it's far too expensive to be a regular drinker when other much cheaper wines taste so much better. I'd say buy it now and leave it sit, then drink it on special occasions (I plan to). It's really good, though not by itself, pair it well and you'll love it. It tastes better warmer in my opinion 65 degrees or above and when decanted for at least 12 hours.

Caduceus