Tasting the wine, the flavors were concentrated in the center of the mouth. The taste was smooth with mild tannins with a slightly acidic finish. The group agreed that it was a well-balanced wine, light to medium-bodied and easy to drink with or without food. We enjoyed this wine with cheese, crackers and parmesan-stuffed olives.
Aridus Wine Company is a family owned custom crush winery located in Willcox, Arizona. Their wine making facility is located in a refurbished, design award-winning apple warehouse, and is considered to be among the largest facilities of its kind in the state. Owners Joan and Scott Dahmer own 40 acres of estate vineyards in Pearce, Arizona on the banks of Turkey Creek, where grapes are grown (and vines continue to be planted), at an elevation of 5,200 feet. The Dahmers opened Aridus in 2012 with a commitment to producing elegant and approachable handcrafted wines, using only the best grapes from their vineyard as well as from other quality grape growers in Arizona, California and New Mexico. Aridus winemaker, Lisa Strid specializes in making small-lot wines and it shows in the quality and style of the wines produced.
Sand-Reckoner 2012 "3" Zinfandel was an interesting wine to taste. It had a beautiful medium red color that shimmered in the glass. The primary aromas I initially detected were earth and fig. Tasting the wine there were hints of berry and spice and the soft tannins gave way to a slight acidic finish. The tasting notes describe the wine as having wild berry compote, fig paste, nutmeg, sarsaparilla and sassafras, with the structure as big and plush.
When you arrive at Café Monarch in Scottsdale, Arizona, and step onto the front patio, you already know that you’re in for a great dining experience. Arriving just ten minutes before our reservation, we were escorted to a café table on the front patio surrounded by greenery and flowers while we waited for our reserved table. The hostess also left a menu so that we could preview the culinary creations being offered for the evening.