Did someone say French style wine in Texas?
Why yes....it is possible and this is "THE" spot for some really,
really fine French style wine made in Texas from Texas grown grapes.
Plus, owner Ben Calais just happens to be from France as well! He grew up
in the French town of Calais where he learned to make wine in Bordeaux.
Many long time Texas wine fans may remember him at his first location in the
Deep Ellum area of Dallas. That is where we first visited and tasted his
wines many harvest moons ago. A quick check of our inventory and we still
have a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a 2006 (yes, 2006!) La Cuvee du
Commerce still aging in our cellar from those early days. Since then, Ben
has been able to acquire quality Texas grapes to make his fine wines.
Ben has been pretty much a one man show getting the land and building
construction done. His hard labor of wine love is finally coming to
form. His wine cave will bring you a unique and cool (literally) wine
tasting experience as well as a country like feel. Not every grape makes
the cut for Ben’s wine making techniques and it definitely shows in the aroma
and taste. Currently, Ben's lineup includes a Rose, two whites and three
reds to sip and savor. The 2014 chilled dry Rose is great for our Texas summer
heat. It’s a blend of Cinsault and Mourvedre. You’ll definitely enjoy
it's cool, dry texture. You may need at least a case to get you through this
hot and muggy summer. The 2013 and 2012 Roussanne wine from the High
Plains are like night and day. Both are uniquely good. The 2013
harvest for Texas was a bit lean because of the late freeze. As such,
there wasn’t that much fruit, but what was available is full in flavor.
The 2012 Roussanne was aged for 30 months. Leave it to Ben to be able to
age this white varietal for this long and turn out so well. The 2012
Sangiovese has that nice earthy unfiltered flavor that just makes your whole
mouth feel satisfied. Ben has also done a fine job on the 2012
Tempranillo. It should age well for those who are patient with their
reds. For the 2012 Cabernet Suavignon, just put a case of this in your
coffin for the afterlife. Yes, it is that good. Ben knows
cabs! Available for purchase is the 2011 Marrons. After all, what
is a good meal without a nice Madera to end off the night? Add this to
your wine stash. Future estate plans do call for a vineyard to be
planted. It sounded like Ben was focused on Tannat and only Tannat.
After all, the right grapes with the right soil in the right climate is where
the “Q” in quality wine starts. Future wine releases include some single
vineyard varietal wines as well as a limited Bordeaux style release. In
addition to wine, Ben also makes some great homemade bread. Yes, he is
talented in food and wine. Maybe he should have a bread shop alongside his
winery! One thing we guarantee, you won’t find a bad drop of wine
here. So, come on out and sip and chat with Ben while enjoying his great
tasting wines. It’s a great place to visit! Cheers!
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