Carlson Creek Mourvedre, 2014, Arizona (Camp Verde). This was a new release in 2017 when we visited the tasting room, Scottsdale Wine Trail. That morning, we'd visited a Western museum. Lots of beautiful saddles on display. So there could have been some bias, but this was the first wine I've ever tasted that clearly had aromas of leather. A few baking spices, maybe, but very subtle. Fast forward to 2020. The wine seems to have transitioned from New World to Old World. All aromas more subtle, wine seems smoother, rounder. Leather is still there, but mushroom has emerged as co-dominant. Spices are more distinct: nutmeg, cinnamon. Red fruits: cherry, raspberry, cranberry. (Note to Jenise: no oak detected !) Total price $26. And I usually don't say this, but QPR above average given the complexity and the compelling nature of the transition. Based on 2 days of tasting. Plenty left to enjoy over the remainder of the holiday weekend.
Despite our heat wave, I just wanted to open a red. I'm glad I did.