The Wines of Maynard James Keenan
Maynard James Keenan, lead singer and songwriter for the band Tool, has brought his artistic passion to the art of winemaking with his Merkin Vineyards and Caduceus Cellars wines. Utilizing fruit from both California vineyards and sources he helped to plant and develop in Arizona and New Mexico, Keenan’s reputation is growing as a producer of high quality terroir driven wines.
In the Merkin Vineyards lineup we have: Chupacabra 2011 (Shapeshifter) which is a blend of Petite Sirah, Cabernet, Syrah and Viognier $29.99/Btl : We found the wine to open with ripe aromatics that freshened with time open showing plum, blackberry, strawberry and straw. The palate followed through with much of the fruit offered by the nose in a medium weighted structure, good intensity and finishing in ripe dusty tannins. Overall a well crafted wine.
Shinola 2011 is a blend of Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Refosco, and Primitivo all from a single vineyard in New Mexico $32.99/Btl : Ruby in color and on the nose shows red fruits with a dusty, oaky back drop. Red fruits play on the palate with fine grained tannins, sweet spice and leather.
In the Caduceus Cellars wines we have the Nagual de la Naga 2010 composed of mostly Cabernet and smaller portions of Merlot Sangiovese and Tempranillo from a single vineyard in Arizona $55.99/Btl. Inspired by Sassicaia and Massetto the wine offers up red plums, red licorice and subtle hints of oak finishing with plump tannins.
Anubis 2010 is a blend of 80% Cabernet, 12% Petite Sirah and smaller portions of Malvasia Bianca and Syrah sourced from a single vineyard in Arizona $52.99: Ripe and deep with aromas of honey and toffee with hints of dark cherries and leather. Richly flavored with black cherry, cola, leather and well integrated tannins on the the finish.
10% Discount on an Assorted Case
