Keeling Schaefer Vineyards 2012 Two Reds Grenache This wine is a good example how good Grenache grown in Arizona can be. The ones I've had from this winery and also Page Springs Cellars are made from grapes grown in southeast Arizona in the Chiricahua Mountains. They bear a similar profile even though the Page Springs grapes are from a mountain valley vineyard and the K-S grapes are from a high plains vineyard on the other side of the range (both at about 5000').
This wine, with 6% Syrah, is juicy raspberry, prickly pear and chamise with a mineral undertone. Good by itself and wonderful with food, much like Pinot Noir. In fact, I find myself reaching for a Grenache often since most of the Pinot I currently have is a bit on the young side.