We visited the Red Mountain AVA as part of the Wine Bloggers conference. We had the opportunity to learn a lot of Red Mountain as well as taste some amazing wines. We would like to say a big thank you to the Red Mountain AVA Alliance for hosting us and all the wineries involved in making this a wonderful experience. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the area, we would recommend it. The scenery is beautiful, the people are warm and friendly and the wine is amazing.

 

Also thank to JJ Williams for hosting us a Kiona Vineyards and Winery and Richard Holmes  of Ciel du Cheval Vineyards for the vineyard tour.

 

Wine Recommendations

Tapteil Vineyard Grenache 2014 -p priced around $38. We received this wine free from the Red Mountain AVA Alliance

• Nose: Strawberries, raspberries and fennel
• It’s dry with medium body, medium acidity and tannins and flavors of raspberries, cherries, slightly vegetal with a hint of mushroom savoriness
• Great balance of tannins and acid. A very fruit forward wine but with this wonderful savory component making it complex but still approachable
• You can purchase the 2015 which is the current release here

 

Mansion Creek Cellars VIÑA ESPAÑOLA 2014 - priced around $37.

• This wine is a blend of Tempranillo, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Counoise 
• Nose: Black fruit and cedar
• It’s dry, full bodied, medium acidity and tannins with flavors of black plum, basamic, black olives, mushrooms and a hint of spice on the finish.
• Very unique blend, less fruit driven and more savory which is not what we expected
• You can purchase this wine here

 

Mansion Creek Cellars Red Dog 2015 - priced around $47. 

• A blend of 70% Tinta Cão, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Grenache-Syrah
• Nose is very floral with violets and rose a hint of black fruit
• It’s also dry, full body with medium acidity and medium plus tannins and flavors of black plum, leather and violets
• The texture of this wine is amazing, the tannins are very smooth and refine
• It's very complex and powerful in intensity but with these beautiful floral notes.
• We have not had a wine quite like this before, unique and special
• You can purchase this wine here