Blanc du Bosque – 2006; Red Caboose Winery; Meridian, Texas

This semi-sweet Blanc du Bois wine is delightfully pleasing for an afternoon treat.  You’ll note berries and fruit aromas enticing your taste buds.  Given it's age, this wine was still quite flavorful and delicious. We noted hints of banana and floral flavors as the dominant tasting notes. Surprisingly, this old white wine maintained its flavor even after being opened for an hour.  It’s always cool to gaze at the deep colors of aged whites and marvel in its physical beauty.  Served chilled with a light meal, snack or on its own.  It’s good either way.  Enjoy!

www.redcaboosewinery.com

Ho Ho Ho!

2012 Roussanne - Perissos
2010 Sangiovese - Hye Meadow

Touriga Nacional, Round Mountain Vineyard Reserve – 2011; Lewis Wines; Johnson City, Texas

These special superb wine releases are always fun to blog about.  This is one of those wines that you will say 'I love you' to.  Yes you will without any doubt!  Don’t feel embarrassed to hold this bottle up to your cheeks and give it a good wine kiss, because you really will love it that well.  Let’s start off with the bottle. The glass is not your typical wine bottle and is more like those heavier ones used for champagnes. It's also very well tinted – a good sign that behind the scenes someone wanted the right kind of bottle and also knew this wine is going to be made to age.  After you initially open the bottle, feel free to be a wine geek and smell the wonderful floral aromas every few minutes as it breaths.  It’s what you do, because you love this wine. The aroma is….beyond pleasant, so just keep breathing in and out for a while as the bouquet continues to unfold. Once you’re ready to taste, make sure you have that high end wine glass.  After all, quality wine in a quality wine bottle deserves a quality wine glass!  The taste…."Magnifique!" With this wine, there will be no doubt if you are taste blind, that this is something special.  You’ll notice some good berry and peppery flavors along with its dry and nice finish.  You'll be enticed by the deep purple color as it stimulates your visual senses. So, feel free to gaze in the glass and hold the wine to the light as you inspect the color and the edges where it meets the glass and enjoy every swirl.  You can tell that great care and respect has been bestowed not only upon the vines, but the grapes and wine making process.  Everything has perfectly come together in this wine.  It should age well for the next several years.  We look forward to a future posting on our second bottle in whatever the latest Internet social media fad form will be the norm for those future days.  So, pour yourself a nice big glass and have with a big meal.  Everything on your plate will taste good with this one!  Have a third bottle?  It’s ok if you put that one in your will to have it buried with you because you really do love it that much.  By then, friends and family will understand your wine obsession as well as toasting your long lived life with some of your other favorite wines. Double Cheers!!

www.lewiswines.com

Citrus Tango - NV; Dancing Bee Winery; Rogers, Texas

Made from 75% Orange blossom honey and 25% squeezed oranges, this  melomel  is certainly an interesting twist.  It is semi-sweet and quite tangy with notes of grapefruit and honey. There's a touch of tartness but  just enough sweetness to make it pleasant.  It has a very nice color as well with a lovely deep golden yellow. This is definitely one you want to serve chilled on a hot summer day or open during the holidays to pair with creamy desserts and cranberry items. We think it will make a great addition to the traditional holiday wines.

www.dancingbeewinery.com

Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery - Princeton, New Jersey

This is a great place to visit especially during the Fall.  With fresh fruit and veggies as well as events during festival season, the whole family can have a day full of fun.  Alongside a working orchard and farm, is a winery and vineyard owned and operated by Pam and Gary Mount.  They took their first adventure in grape vines back in 2003.  Among the varietals planted are Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Terhune wines have been available for the last four years.  In addition to grape wines, apple wines are also made here with apple cider.  Additional grapes from other vineyards are also sourced for wine making.  The tasting room is in a historic 150 year old barn.  You can belly up to the wine tasting bar and select from eleven wines.  There are two good whites to try.  The Farmhouse white is a white grape blend with a nice Chardonnay crispness, without being overly oaked.  The Chardonnay has just  a touch of oak and a clean, crisp dry finish.  The Vidal Blanc is a nice smooth wine with fruity aromas and flavors.  For reds, check out the Chambourcin.  It is medium bodied and dry with a fresh finish.  The Apple wine is actually a dry apple wine.  It's crisp, aromatic and presents some citrus notes. The Barn Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (50/50). The tannins on this one are soft and it is one of the fuller bodied varietals available. The Red Rooster is a sweeter red, but not too sweet and is quite pleasant.  The Cold Soil White is a semi-sweet blend of Vidal Blanc and Orange Muscat.  The two white grapes complement each other quite nicely in this wine!  After the Cold Soil White, try the Porch Breeze.  It will be similar to the Cold Soil, but with Niagra grapes providing that sweet blush shade. Strangely, it almost taste like strawberry wine!  The Just Peachy wine is actually an apple wine made from cider with peach essence added.  It will keep you happy and warm on those first chilly fall nights.  End off with the Harvest Blue, a mix of blueberry and apple, for a nice tart and crisp taste.  You'll be pleased with everything you try here. Take your time here when visiting.  The country side setting and locally made wine is a wonderful setting!  Cheers!!

www.terhuneorchards.com