2011 "Tazi" Arizona White Table Wine 750ml 3-Pack

Distinctive for its complex array of flavors, a panoply of melon, orange rind, pear and floral tones. Picks up undertones of citrus on the elegant finish. This has always been, and remains, a one-of-a-kind white wine.

The Groundwork: The template for this wine is what we like to call an “Aromatic White Blend,” it will always be a wine that you want to keep on smelling. The percentages of the varietals might change or the varietals themselves might change from vintage to vintage, but the template will remain the same; lively aromas of flowers and minerals will greet your senses like an old friend.

The Vintage: 2011 was a challenging year in terms of weather. Early in the season we experienced severe frosts in the late spring. The frost event reduced our crop load dramatically in many blocks. The following months were extremely warm and dry, followed by a monsoon season yielding more rain than previously recorded in our area. Due to the light crop load, extreme early season heat, intensive cloud cover and rain, followed by a hot & dry harvest, the vines reached physiological ripeness at much lower brix levels than previous years. The hot & dry harvest period required close attention be paid to the acid levels in the fruit as well as the brix levels to determine the harvest time. The heat has some positive effects on the grapes (thicker skins mainly), but often leads to dehydration (due to the water profile in the soil being depleted) and acids leaching from the fruit (which can be due to heat and water stress). Acids seemed to be the primary metric driving our harvests in 2011. Craig Martinsen, Director of Vineyard Operations

2012 Arizona Stronghold Dala Chardonnay 750ml 3-Pack

Think toasted coconut cream pie, moving through clean citrus overtones and a hint of slate. Awakens the palate to what a true Arizona Chardonnay can taste like. Medium-bodied, ending with a lovely mouthwatering finish.

The Groundwork: The word Dala in Apache language means,“ONE.” When you see the word Dala on one of our bottles of wine, you can always assume that the grapes we used to make that wine are of ONE varietal only. Hence, Dala Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay.

Food Pairings: Sole with a Lemon Beurre Blanc, scallops wrapped with bacon on the barbecue or chicken cooked with cream and morels.

2012 Arizona Stronghold Dayden Dry Rosé 750ml 3-Pack

A knock out dry rose that balances vibrant fruit with racy acidity. Offers zesty floral aromas of watermelon and spice, with layered strawberry and mineral flavors. Dayden, Apache for "little girl" was primarily crafted from the early picks of several red varietals grown in our high elevation, southerly vineyards. Lightly pressed and then fermented cold for nearly a month, the fresh aromatics of this dry rose jump out of the glass. Taste Arizona's landscape in every sip!

The Groundwork: The word Dayden in the Apache language means "little girl," this wine will always be a blend of grapes, although they may differ from vintage to vintage.  Dayden is all about subtlety and finesse, just like a little girl.

The Vintage: Harvest began in the first week of August, early compared to prior years. We experienced a hot and dry summer as well as early emergence in the Spring. The Summer rains were minimal and fruit ripening advanced quickly.  This extra heat led to many of the white varietals maturing early and at about the same time. After the rapid pace of harvesting all the whites, harvest settled into a steady rhythm allowing the Vineyard and Cellar to closely coordinate on picking each varietal and block at the optimal ripeness for their intended wine.

In mid September a period of about one week of rain delayed much of the harvest. This delay allowed the fruit to hang a little longer and develop more maturity prior to the harvest based on brix and acidity. Hang Time!  This rainy and cloudy period also provided a needed break to a harvest that began fast and furious. The 2012 harvest was a great opportunity for the Vineyard and Cellar to make coordinated choices to harvest a given block, this coordination led to the Cellar receiving the best fruit possible.

2011 Mandala II White Blend 750ml 3-Pack

A rich and generous wine with ripe peach, nectarine, apricot and tangerine flavors that are woven together on a full, lush body with mineral details and juicy acidity. Impressively long finish.

Pair this wine with oysters on the half shell and creamy cheeses