Gnarly Head Wines

Gnarly Head, now, there is an intimidating name for a wine, but it is a name that really fits. Wherever possible, the grapes for Gnarly Head wines come from older vines that have been pruned in such a way so that they form a knotted, mangled top and thus, a gnarly head. Name aside, the wines from Gnarly Head Vineyards are well made, quite good and a better than average buy for their price

Gnarly Head 2012 Old Vine Zin ($11.99). Old Vine Zin was made from grapes picked from vines that range between 35 and 80 years old, and for grape vines, that’s old. Old vines do not produce prolifically; however, the grapes that they do produce are exceptional. What resulted is a big, bold, almost blood red wine that presents the aromas of raspberry, strawberry, mint and oak to entice the senses. These aromas are carried over to the flavor where they merge with black pepper and spice. This very enjoyable wine raises the status of the once lowly zinfandel to near classical proportions.

Gnarly Head 2011 Authentic Red ($11.99). This is a big, bold, full-bodied wine that has a dark ruby color derived from a blend of zinfandel, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and petite sirah resulting in what we can only call an explosion of aroma and flavor. The Gnarly Head 2011 Authentic Red draws its flavor and quality from the very heart and soul of the grape and presents it as a multi-leveled blackberry, cherry and raspberry flavor, which is augmented by a background of black pepper and mushrooms that continues on to the finish, which is, to say the least, memorable. If you love red wines, definitely seek out this wine, it is well worth the search.

Gnarly Head 2012 Authentic White ($11.99). Authentic white is a semi-dry wine that displays the aromas of honeysuckle, pear and apple and the flavors of melon, peach and nectarine ending in and long lasting, crisp lemon zest finish. This wine can accompany a great many foods including the hottest of Mexican or Asian dishes.
Gnarly Head 2012 Chardonnay ($9.99). The full possibilities of the chardonnay grape are expressed beautifully in this wine. The aroma abounds with generous amounts of apple, pineapples and just a hint of citrus. These migrate to the flavor where they mingle with lemon, grapefruit and pear. This is a wine that is much finer than its modest priced indicates and an alternative to the more expensive, look-a-like chardonnay wines that permeate our marketplace and are turning people away from a very fine variety.

Gnarly Head 2012 Pinot Grigio ($9.99). In this version of the variety, flavor is the name of the game. This wine embodies all of the flavor and aroma that the grape can offer. It has a clear, pale straw color and an aroma reminiscent of jasmine and orange blossom. These carry over to the flavor where they merge with nectarine, citrus and fresh melon, which lingers in the mouth long after the wine has been finished. This is an excellent pinot grigio that can accompany a wide variety of foods and is a standout with shrimp or mild cheese based dishes.

Gnarly Head 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($11.99).The Gnarly Head 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon displays all of the flavor and aroma characteristics of wines selling for considerably higher prices. As with all of the Gnarly Head wines, the grapes came from ancient vines, some of them being over 80 years old. The use of grapes from these geriatric vines helped to produce a wine of tremendous depth and outstanding quality. It is a wine that is heavy with the flavor of cassis, cherries, and plums with a hint of mint and oak. It is a delightful wine that permits one to enjoy a high quality Cabernet Sauvignon without destroying the budget. This wine is the perfect wine to accompany the darker cuts of meat as well as pasta and grilled foods and it is also no slouch as a sipping wine.