This is the post that I've been impatiently waiting for since Christmas. I have been saying that I was going to open a bottle of Stronghold wine for the last couple of weeks, and last night I finally did.
For those of you who don't know, Arizona Stronghold Vineyards is the winery that is owned by former Tool and A Perfect Circle lead singer, Maynard James Keenan. I really wanted to get a tasting in on one of the wines that I bought in December before Blood Into Wine, the documentary about Keenan and his Arizona winemaking adventure, premiered on February 19th.
The wine that I am reviewing is the 2008 Stronghold Vineyards Nachise blend. This is a Rhone style blend, make up of 52% Syrah, 27% Grenache, 15% Petite Sirah, 6% Mourverdre. This wine weighs in at 14.7% ABV, and will cost about $20 for a bottle. This wine also has a really interesting artificial cork closure.
The color on this wine is a darkish garnet color, light enough that you can still see your hand a little through the glass. The nose on this wine is all Southern Rhone, with a lot of earthy, barky, forest floor type aromas. I also get some blackberry and a touch of blueberry on the nose. On the palate, I get some blackberry and more earthiness. There are some nice tannins on this wine, and a really nice lingering finish that really hits me with some beautiful blueberry flavors, a little black olives, and of all the crazy things to get in a wine, I even get some grape. The finish on this wine lasts for quite a while, and really hits you with some interesting flavor evolution.
I have really wondered whether this wine was going to live up to the hype that I've built up for it. I have been so excited to try it, and have blogged a few times about it. I really think that it has lived up to my hopes for it. This is a nice wine, and really has a lot to offer for $20. It's exciting to see good wines being made in another unlikely location. I would recommend this wine, and I would recommend that you pair it with a little Tool music, probably from the Lateralus album.
Legend – Skip it
Meh
Worth a Try
Give it a Go
Run Get Some
Cool! I’m glad you liked it. Did the vid glitch at the end…maybe it was just my PC?
With the movie coming out, I’m sure the distribution will grow, just a matter of if production can handle it.
Josh @nectarwine
Hmmm, there does seem to be a problem at the end there. Have to see where the problem is and get it fixed. Thanks.
Yeah, I bet they will have all the distribution that they can handle. I think I even found a place in Texas that distributes them right now, but I don’t think they do here in my part of the state.
Ben,
Good job on the Nachise. I have had this wine and also think that it is a good buy for $20. liked the “VINO Amigos”!
Thanks Kevin. I’ll definitely buy more of this wine when I get a chance.
Yeah, I figured I have to do something to bring a little Tejas flavor to my vids.