17k Cherie – NV; Texas Star Winery; Richards, Texas

This is a unique option for any Texas wine fan.  Sure, you can make wine from almost anything, but time, attention, and a little luck will make a great tasting one.  Prickly Pear Cacti are everywhere in Texas.  So, why not try to make a wine from this abundant fruit?  Here you have a Prickly Pear Cactus Sherry style wine.  It is initially sweet, though not super sweet, with a strong dark golden hue. With 16% alcohol, it does pack a bit of a punch.  Honor Texas by pairing this one with a big slice of pecan pie or even better - cheesecake or vanilla flavored desserts.  Yummy!  Serve this one at your next party for a unique twist on Southern sippers.  Guest will be surprised and pleased.

www.texasstarwinery.com

Syrah – 2004; Sandstone Cellars; Mason, Texas

Dry…peppery…smoky….leathery…plus an awesome finish - what more could you ask for in a well aged red wine?  Time has blessed this bottle many times over.  To say it’s superb is not enough! There just aren’t enough words or the right words in the English language to adequately describe this great piece of work.  Your nose and taste buds will thank you for this one. This was one of the first releases by Don Pullum.  Aged 10 months in Pennsylvanian oak, it was co-fermented with some Grenache (%12), Primitivo (%7), and a tad bit of Mourvedre.  Tasting this wine in 2008 was good, but who knew that waiting six more years would still bring such joy and prove it was made to age fabulously?  It was well worth the wait.  The wine showed no signs of deterioration and could have possibly still been good in another five years.  The cork was in great shape, too.   Bill Worrell’s art work on the label is also a nice touch that adds to the uniqueness of the wine.  Pair this Syrah with a juicy sirloin steak and some nice grilled veggies and you are relishing nature's bounty. Enjoy & Cheers!

www.sandstonecellarswinery.com

Fat Ass Ranch and Winery - Fredericksburg, Texas

Having Just opened last Memorial Day weekend, the newest winery on the Texas Hill Country Winery Trail, HWY 290, is not only an eye catcher with its name, but also a cool place to just hang out and shoot the breeze with some good wine.  Owners Gail and Jennie McCulloch have put their own unique Texas style stamp on the decor with a moonshine still out front, installed silo style restrooms, used pickup tailgates to fashion benches and parked a replica of the General Lee hot rod out front.  Both the inside and the back patio have ample room for seating and sipping.  They use all Texas grapes for their wines.  The folks at Texas Custom Wine Works are assisting with the wine making. There are currently four wines to try. The whites are all made in stainless steel.  Both dry and sweet ones are made from the same blend: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay.  If you're a crisp white wine drinker, then the first dry white you'll like. The same goes for the dry and sweet red, they have the same blend of grapes with different sweetness: Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc.  The sweet red has a very nice  "jammy" taste to it.  We were told that peach and watermelon wines are on the way soon.  Future plans are to have a vineyard on site.  Besides the wine, they have a number of cool items in the shop for sale made by  Jennie and friends.  Do check out the bug guards for your wine glass with some clever and catchy verses. It's worth the stop, even if it is just to say you've been to the "Fat Ass Winery" down the road! 

www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Ass-Ranch-and-Winery/588933507887986

Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva – 2010; Sella & Mosca; Alghero, Italy

The wine has a brilliantly deep ruby hue and a very noticeable red berry bouquet along with some peppery notes. The wine has a lovely rustic taste and a good medium body with a fruit forward presence. You can taste the earthy oaky flavor, though it is more subtle and smoothly incorporated along with spices and herbaceous  notes, too.  Every Mediterranean red wine lover should enjoy this one on occasion.  It pairs nicely with the fatty flavors of thick cut grilled pork chops or beef.  It will keep your tongue intrigued and your taste buds wanting more! Salute!

www.sellamosca.com

Palomino-Chardonnay – 2008; Inwood Estates; Dallas Texas

This white wine is a fine example of when art and science blend together to make the perfect match.  You couldn’t ask for a better color for this six year old white.  It just has that eye catching deep, deep straw yellow-green hue.  You’ll smell initial bouquets of vanilla, pears, and hazelnuts before sipping the cool tart crisp flavors of nectar followed by a light smooth buttery note. There’s also a little bit of an almond finish towards the end.   This white wine has been blessed with some good complexity with age; definitely an outstanding wine for an outstanding year.  It goes well with baked salmon, chicken or fresh from the garden vegetable dishes. Give it a try and enjoy every sip this one is worth lingering at the dinner table to have another glass!

www.inwoodwines.com