WTN: Callaghan Vineyards '04 "Caitlin's" - good stuff from Arizona

Picked this up at the winery a while back. It's a blend of 46% Petit Verdot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 23% Cabernet Franc. Made by Kent Callaghan at his place near Sonoita, in southern Arizona. The label says, "Grown, produced, and bottled by Callaghan Vineyards, Elgin, AZ", so I don't believe any of these grapes were imported. Weighs in at 15% alcohol. Don't remember the price, but most of Kent's wines are around the $20 range. Bottled under screwcap.

Very dark red, verging on black. Nose is spicy and slightly herbaceous, with underlying red fruit character. The flavors run much more towards the spice and herb than fruitiness, with a surprisingly lean character. There's a nice level of acidity and a full mid-palate and no hint of sweetness from either fruit or RS. The finish is marked by firm tannins and good length. I don't get much heat on the palate, but I do get a bit of warmth as it gets further down the pipe.

Overall, this is a really nice wine. It has a higher level of alcohol than I generally like, but it is not the least bit overripe or over-oaked. It's a wine that would go well with a variety of foods. It's not widely available, but if you happen to be southeast of Tucson and can go by the winery or if you otherwise run across it, I'd highly recommend trying it out. I've had a lot of Kent's wines and this is up there with his best.

%^)

There are quite a number of wine shop outlets in the Phoenix/Scottsdale, Tucson, and Flagstaff areas that carry Kent's wines ... go to the Callaghan website and click on "Buy Our Wines" and you'll find quite a list ... their website also indicates they ship ...

Clink !

%^)

Good point about the shipping, Bill. We've always bought from the tasting room, but we've always had them ship what we've bought out to us after we get home.

I've had a number of the Callaghan wines, courtesy of friends, never having owned one. Always have been quite good. Thanx for the report on this one.

It's interesting that Petit Verdot is the dominant grape....that's a bit unusual, no?

I've had a number of the Callaghan wines, courtesy of friends, never having owned one. Always have been quite good. Thanx for the report on this one.

It's interesting that Petit Verdot is the dominant grape....that's a bit unusual, no?

That is a bit unusual, but I think Kent really likes that grape. He's also bottled a varietal Petit Verdot that's quite good. I liked this blend a bit better, though.