“The Sydney Sweeney of American Wine”

Find the original review here.

2023 Aridus Vineyards Malbec Estate, Arizona

The Sydney Sweeney of American Wine.

Let’s get this out of the way. Some people will dismiss this bottle before the cork is even out simply because it says Arizona on the label. Which is basically the wine equivalent of insisting Sydney Sweeney is “only famous because she’s hot.” Imagine missing the point that spectacularly. Sure, the label grabs your attention. But then the substance shows up and quietly makes you look like an idiot.

That’s exactly what Aridus has done here. The fruit is dark, polished, and unapologetically seductive, delivering black cherry, espresso, cocoa, and a hint of violet wrapped in tannins smoother than a billionaire’s apology tour. This isn’t Mendoza trying to be Mendoza, and it certainly isn’t California screaming for your attention. It’s Arizona finally realizing it doesn’t need anyone’s permission.

Here’s a fun little social experiment. Pour this wine blind and tell your friends it’s from a tiny producer in Sonoma. Watch them start throwing around words like linear, ethereal, and crystalline tension while nodding knowingly. Then tell them it came from Arizona. Half of them will suddenly decide it’s “a little too ripe.” Funny how geography changes a palate. Or maybe it just exposes an ego.

Wine X Sez: The people still making Arizona wine jokes probably also think they had a chance with Sydney Sweeney.

Wine X Sez : XX½