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

 

Riesling - NV; Su Vino Winery; Grapevine, Texas

Although non-vintage, we estimate this one has been sitting around for about seven years.  Not a bad Riesling for a white wine of this age.  This wine has a smooth body and a light fruity aroma with a wonderful deep yellow-green  color.  We noted apricot and pear flavors with an alcohol content that seemed a bit higher, which may have masked other notes.  The label has a lovely hand on it, that sets it apart from many other brands. You could say the winemaker left his/her mark on this one.  Serve chilled and you can enjoying this one with appetizers, a meal, or just because.

www.suvinowinery.com

 

Volcano Blush - NV; Volcano Winery; Volcano, Hawaii

Check out this unique wine from the Big Island of Hawaii!  Crafted from white grapes blended with berries for a good blush very suitable for summer sipping. It has a light raisin hue at first pour, but seemed to change its tint after being opened for several minutes.  This wine exhibited cranberry flavors with a slight sweetness. Interestingly enough, there is also a bit of acidity to the finish.  No volcanoes were harmed in making this wine, so open up and enjoy with a clear conscience.  You might be able to find it in some specialty wine stores, but the winery does ship to many states.  Of course, going to Hawaii and buying some bottles as well as sampling the wineries other wines is even better! :)

 

www.volcanowinery.com

 

Tempranillo – 2011; Flat Creek Estate; Marble falls, Texas

2011 was a great year for Texas grapes, although a horrible year for just about everything else.  Red grapes from 2011 in Texas just have that extra pizzazz that red wine drinkers crave.  Although yields were much smaller in many Texas vineyards that year, they also benefited from high quality grapes.  Lost Draw Vineyards is no exception. You won’t find a bad grape from this vineyard and the great 2011 drought only made their grapes that much better.  Tim Drake of Flat Creek has taken these blessed grapes from Lost Draw and made a “beyond” wonderful Tempranillo wine.  It is a full bodied, beautiful  experience like no other and is complimented with a great earthy finish. You’ll taste notes of plums and blackberries swirl across your tongue. This Tempranillo pairs nicely with a good thick ribeye, pork chop, or large rack of ribs.  Take your meaty pick because you can’t go working with this wine pairing. This vintage turned out really well and likely exceeded the expectations of many red wine lovers who have been waiting for it.  Best of all, this wine will likely age well in the cellar for another ten years and be even more fantastic.  So buy a case and enjoy one every year for the next decade!  Cheers!!

www.flatcreekestate.com

Pontotoc Vineyard – Pontotoc, Texas

We had the opportunity to post some wine reviews of their 2011 releases back in 2013.  A year later, we finally get to say a few words about their winery and vineyard!  Carl Money bought up part of the town back in 2003.  He has since restored the old farm house and planted a good five acres of Tempranillo on these higher hill country elevations with well drained fertile red soils.  For 2014, they had 14 tons harvested!  Can’t wait for that vintage!!  Along with his father and uncle, this family run business is starting to make its mark on the Texas wine industry.    Grapes are sourced primarily from his vineyard estate, other surrounding vineyards in the Mason County area, or within Texas.  Mr. Money is committed to using only Texas sourced grapes.  Don Pullum has been helping out with the wine making.  There is a tasting room in Pontotoc, but you can find Carl at the Fredericksburg tasting room, which is a shared shopping space with a few other great local vendors. Here, he is selling some of their great wines and allowing folks to come in and familiarize themselves with his wines. It makes sense to have a tasting room there due to Fredericksburg's increased wine traffic these days.  There are five wines currently available for tasting, some of which are named after local historic sites.  The first wine is a 2011 Tempranillo with a good medium body and toasted oak qualities.  The second is the 2012 Tempranillo.  This one is good to compare to the 2011. You will find the 2012 has more vanilla characteristics than the 2011 as well as more tannins.  Next, is the 2012 Smoothing Iron Red.  This Tempranillo (75%)/Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), and Alicante Bouschet (5%) blend has quite delicious flavors of cherry and raspberry.  The 2012 Spy Rock (Cabernet Sauvignon - 68%/Alicante Bouschet - 22%/Mourvedre - 5%/ Tempranillo - 5%) has a bit more toasted fruit flavor with soft tannins.  Lastly, is the 2012 Valley Spring which is a Monastrell varietal.  This one has some slight citrus aromas as well as strawberry flavors.  Pontotoc Vineyard is a rising star in the Texas Hill County wine industry.  Come on out and visit sometime.  If you like earthy, dry, bold reds, we think you’ll enjoy!

www.pontotocvineyard.com

Blush – 2005; Pheasant Ridge Winery; Lubbock, Texas

Just about every long time Texas wine fan knows that Pheasant Ridge makes the good stuff that will keep a long time.  This 2005 Blush has held true to their reputation.  Not sure what’s really in this “blend”, but it is quite nice and crisp.  A combination of floral and honeysuckle notes are detectable.  It has just a touch of sweetness that, when chilled, helps smooth out those spicy dishes.  We were quite pleased with this old gal, given that it's nearly 10 years old.  Give it a try if you have one and drink well!

www.pheasantridgewinery.com

Sangiovese – 2003; Wimberley Valley Winery; Driftwood, Texas

The color has held well over the past decade on this red wine.  Little separation was noticed on this limited release from Wimberley Valley Winery.  It is quite aromatic with some subtle tropical notes to the bouquet. It tastes fairly good for a wine that was not intended to be “hidden” in the cellar this long.  There is a touch of acidity, but nothing too distracting.  We were pleasantly surprised with how well this wine held up with its age and it paired nicely with pasta.  Have fun and enjoy!

www.wimberleyvalleywinery.com

Strawberry-Riesling – NV; Winery on the Gruene; Gruene, Texas

This off-dry white wine has a good mix of traditional Riesling flavors meshed with luscious strawberries.  Not your every day Riesling, but definitely something special for summer to enjoy chilled. The crisp ripe berry flavor is pleasantly coupled with pear-like aromas. You’ll be impressed with this one and wish you would have bought a few bottles.  Pair with some fresh fruit or ice cream and you’ll really enjoy it!

www.gruenewinery.com

Red Wing Dove Vineyard and Winery – Hamilton, Texas

Owners Ellis & Susan Vandiver have staked out a seven acre plot of vines in this part of the Texas countryside.  Growing on their seven year old vineyard are Pinot Gris, Tempranillo, Shiraz, Viognier, and Pinot Blanc.  Rows are oriented north/south.  They opened up the winery a year ago and are now serving up their own version of some tasty Texas wines.  Current wines available for tasting from their 2012 harvest include: off-dry White Dove (Pinot Gris/Blanc blend), Pinot Gris, Tempranillo, Rosé Shiraz (great chilled) and a bold tasting Shiraz. The Shiraz grapes were aged in American oak and another release (aged two years) will be coming out in the future. Like most Texas vineyards, they experienced their share of loss from the late freeze of 2013.  California grapes helped supplement their 2013 release.  Their newest releases this year include: a very nice Viognier with good minerality, Honeysuckle (Sweet Pinot Gris with some apple notes), Judy (Sweet Blush of 90% Pinot Gris and 10% Tempranillo), T’Rose (nice dry Tempranillo Rosé with beautiful strawberry notes), and Sweet Red Pepper (50/50 blend of Ruby Cabernet and Tempranillo).  Come on out this way sometime and enjoy the company and views.  It’s a relaxing setting to help compliment the good wine in your hand. The winery is gearing up to celebrate their first year anniversary of their tasting room as well, so stop in and wish them well, stay a while, and sip a spell! You'll be glad you did. Cheers!

www.redwingdove.com

3 Blend - 2000; Sister Creek Vineyards; Sisterdale, Texas

This nice red bordeaux meritage style wine is a mix of  Cabernet Sauvignon (68%), Merlot (18%), and Petite Sirah (14%).  It has retained its color pretty well over the last 14 years as well as a good bouquet.    The cork did crumble after opening, but still tasted good.  Flavors of toasted blackberry and cherry were still present.  There was some slight acidity to the taste and the characteristics were slightly diminished due to the age. Ideally, this bottle should have been enjoyed a few years earlier. However, we are happy to report it had not turned to vinegar and it was drinkable with a nice fatty meal to balance the deep flavors and acidity.  It was definitely on the downhill slide though and it would have been nice to enjoy this when it was at its peak. So friends, the take away here is don’t wait too long to drink a bottle of wine, even if you have it stored safely in the cellar as there are optimal timeframes in which to fully enjoy all that the lovely bottle has to offer.  We still enjoyed it and give many thanks to this lucky wine bottle we found in the back of the cellar!

www.sistercreekvineyards.com

Scissortail – 2007; Alamosa Winery; Bend, Texas

This is Alamosa’s take on Rhone-style white blends.  Made from Marsanne (55%), Roussane (32%), and Viognier (13%), it has a strong backbone of minerality, good character, nice golden color, and finishes quite crisp.  You’ll notice some light floral notes to the bouquet and buttery notes as well as the wine unfolds across your palate. It initially presents a more acidic side, which gradually mellows with some of the buttery notes, but still quite tasty and pleasant.  Chill this very nice white wine and enjoy with fresh  salads, a big orange, vegetables, chicken and fish dishes.

www.alamosawinecellars.com

The Beerded One - NV; Dancing Bee Winery; Rogers, Texas

Well, you certainly don't see a mead like this one every day.  Take some honey, add some hops, let mother nature do its fermentation and ....viola! You get a Mead like you've never tasted before.  You actually get a nice Metheglin.  And yes, it does have a beer taste to it, but a very stout style mead might be the best way to describe it. This also has nice citrus notes blending well with the overall taste. Made from buckwheat and clover honey, this is a wine that any hard core sports fan could drink and enjoy alongside their beer.  Goes good with pretzels, too! :) The guys might be surprised if you want to serve this one with your hamburgers or at the next game night, but it's worth surprising folks and seeing how much they like the beer notes and flavor. You might just have a new item to add to your party shopping list and it is good served both chilled or room temperature. 

 

www.dancingbeewinery.com

 

 

Hawk Shadow Estate Winery – Dripping Springs, Texas

Just north of Dripping Springs, but south of the Pedernales River are some spectacular Texas Hill Country views.  What a perfect place to establish a vineyard and winery!  This all family run business has done just that.  Owners Doug Reed, Tom Reed, and Chip Concklin opened up their tasting room in February 2014 and are serving some great tasting Texas wines along with generous Texas hospitality.  Tim Drake from Flat Creek has assisted with some consulting, as well.  They currently have seven acres planted on the estate with one area on its fourth leaf and the other on its ninth.  Varietals include:  Grenache, Syrah, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo,and Aglianico.  The vines look quite healthy and cared for.  As we all know, great wine starts with great grapes. Most of what is currently available for tasting has been sourced from the Texas High Plains while the estate vineyard has been maturing.  There are three whites for tasting, but by no means are these your traditional white wines.  As the owners will tell you, they make and serve “red style white wine for red wine drinkers”.  The 2011 Orange Muscat is dry with some tawny toasted notes, making it quite unique compared to other Orange Muscats in the state as this one is dry without the sweet side that traditionally is used for this varietal. The 2012 version (same vineyard, different year) labeled, Big O, has a bit more alcohol, but also tastes just as good yet completely different from the 2011.  Who thought that dry Orange Muscats could taste this good without being sweet, but the owners have done a fine job on those two.  The barrel fermented and unfiltered Chenin Blanc will initially present the buttery notes with a lovely smoothness then finishes off as citrusy.  The Texas Gal, a blend of Chenin Blanc and Muscat Canelli, has a hint of sweetness but not too much. For the reds, the 2012 Tres Robles is a blend of 78% Mourvedre and the rest comprised of Malbec and Syrah.  It's light oak notes compliment the very strong strawberry, pomegranate and rhubarb aromas on the nose. Their local estate produced 2011 HSV is sold out but not to worry!  A new vintage is already bottled and should be released by Fall 2014.  You’ll also be in for a treat with their Wild Child 2.  It has a nice smokiness yet remains quite smooth.  They also have a Tempranillo barrel aged in Hungarian oak for twenty months….expect this one to be superb.  Twenty months is a good bench mark for the winemaker.  After all, quality cannot be rushed.  Also in the works is a Syrah that is quite herbaceous.  It, too, will be great on its own or as a complimentary blend in the future.  When we visited, they were just about ready to harvest in the next day or two as the sugar was looking good on the fruit.  We sampled some of their yet to be harvested Tempranillio grapes and they had wonderful flavors and characters for this yet to be aged juice.  You could tell that the 2014 Tempranillo is going to be great tasting wine and a keeper for the cellar!  We really enjoyed our initial visit to this up and coming rising star for Texas Hill Country Wineries.  The owners and staff (family members) are extremely friendly, make you feel comfortable and at home, and are very happy to visit with you about what is going on at the winery. Hopefully, their future crops will be fruitful and their cases will multiply!  We are definitely going back to check in and see how things progress and pick up some of the new releases. Cheers and Welcome to the Texas Hill Country Winery industry Hawk Shadow!!

www.hawksshadow.com

Riesling - 2005; Amwell Valley Vineyard; Ringoes, New Jesery

This is a very nice, smooth drinking Riesling.  The eye-catching golden buttery color has blessed this well aged white wine.  The deep color (a sign of its age) only makes the tasting experience that much better.  It is semi-sweet and well balanced on the palate.  You'll detect notes of apple and apricots that compliment the overall flavor without overwhelming it.  We had opened a previous bottle back in 2008.  This second bottle was one of those tucked away bottles that every collector will stumble upon every now and them.  We were delighted to find that the wine certainly hadn't lost it's wonderful characteristics or lovely taste with age.  Take care of your cellar and your cellar will take care of your wine. This one was a delight to sip and savor and enjoy with a meal, though it is equally delicious on its own. Well worth the trip and each sip!

www.amwellvalleyvineyard.com

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

Four Year Anniversary!

Another year of good wine, great wineries, and cool folks!  Every winery we visit has its own unique story to tell and style to their wines.  Of course, every bottle of wine is a unique experience in of itself!  After four years, it looks like we’ve finally reached a sustainable pace for wine & winery blogging.  Plus, there are the real jobs behind the scenes to manage, as well. :)

Leading up to our four year anniversary, we’ve done a painstaking inventory of our wine collection.  There are 579 bottles and growing…. that we know of.  Plus, there are a few dozen bottles on the counter yet to be inventoried.  Then, there are those mysterious bottles that just happen to be discovered….tucked away in some closet that is seldom used.    Maybe we should just turn our house into one big wine cellar!  In any case, there are plenty of good wines in stock to sip and yap about for a long time to come.  Not to mentioned, the ever increasing number of wineries to visit, especially in Texas.

So sit back, open up your favorite bottle of wine and enjoy our postings as we enjoy each sip together and discover new interesting wineries, vintages, varietals and people shaping this industry and putting their own unique mark and product out there for us all to enjoy!  Tune in soon…same wine-time….same wine-channel.  Cheers!

Riesling - 2005; Blue Mountain Vineyards; New Tripoli, Pennsylvania

This well aged Riesling has a lovely tropical and somewhat floral bouquet.  It is quite refreshing chilled and still quite good for its age. The very deep yellow-straw hue will be the first thing that catches your eye.  It comes across as semi-dry, but opinions  could go either way. It had a smooth finish and retained its character nicely in our wine cellar in spite of its age. This Riesling can be quite versatile with many food pairings, but we found this one to be a perfect match for slow cooked salmon.  Even for whites, it pays to wait sometimes.  Enjoy!

www.bluemountainwine.com

 

The Austin Winery – Austin, Texas

Yes, Austin folks!  There is a quality winery in the state’s capital city that’s worth your sipping time.  Having just opened up over a month ago, this very small urban winery has the potential to be a big hit in the Austin scene.  The three young entrepreneurs Cooper Anderson, Matthew Smith and Ross McLauchlan have started with an initial small batch of wines sourced from various west coast and Texas terroirs.  Everything in a wine that a good wine fan expects is here in the lineup, from crisp whites to deep bold reds.  Current wines available for tasting are made from grapes chiefly sourced from California.  The Sauvignon Blanc from Lodi is a very nice crisp dry white that you’ll enjoy.  The Russian River Valley Chardonnay puts the “B” in buttery flavor and despite its long oak aging, it’s not an “oak wine”.  The three Pinot Noirs from different areas provide the opportunity to sample the influence and subtle variations of various west coast terroir on a single varietal.  The Pinot Noir from Sonoma County comes across quite fruity like a Cabernet Sauvignon.  The Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is quite bold and favorable.  Finally, the Santa Lucia Pinot Noir is just plain awesome.  Who knew one could enjoy such quality and variety of notes of Pinot Noirs in one sitting at the same winery.  But don’t stop there! Their Violent Crown is a Grenache/Syrah blend(80/20) that puts the “w” in wow.  Sadly, the source for the Grenache in this vintage is no longer available, so keep a few of these around and enjoy over time.  Lastly, you’ll get to sip the tasty old vine Zinfandel from Shenandoah Valley.  Stay tuned to this blog channel and we’ll be able to go more in depth on each wine in the future.  At the time of this visit, the Texas wines weren’t ready to be bottled, but should be soon.  Do take note of the unique art work with the labels.  They help tell a story with each wine.  These label art work are worth framing and displaying in your post-opened bottle room.  They are currently open on Saturdays as well as by appointment.  Give this new local winery a tour on your next wine adventure. It’s a cool place to visit, along with Austin!

www.theaustinwinery.com

Merlot - 2011; Compass Rose Cellars; Hye, Texas

It's always a pleasure to feature an early startup winery's work.  One gets to see how the wine maker's first style of vision is.  This first release from the "year of hell" (a.k.a. Texas 2011 drought) has yielded some of the best fruit for the state of Texas.  First impressions really are a big deal in the industry and this wine will put a big smile on your  mouth via your taste buds!  By no means is this your stereotypical "mellow" Merlot.  While the aroma and flavor are similar, it is a bit more dry with some stronger tannins than most, yet, it is still light bodied.  It also has hints of  dark cherry and vanilla.  The slight acidity pairs nicely with heavier meals like an Italian sausage dish.  Be careful though, you may finish the whole bottle in one sitting! No worries, when we tasted them we were wise to by a few extra bottles, and you should too.  Keep a few of these bottles around and try them out over the years at your favorite Texas Hill Country spot with friends and family and enjoy the richness of both the Texas scenery and the lovely wine from this region.  Cheers!

www.compassrosecellars.com

Cider Dessert Wine – NV; Sandstone Cellars; Mason, Texas

You’re in for a treat and for quite a punch with this dessert wine.  This is a light sweet wine with apples and cinnamon to delight your palate’s senses.  It also has a herbal bouquet much like a mead.   Secondly, the fortified cider will pack quite a port like punch to the first time sipper.  So be prepared and don’t plan on going anywhere after having a glass or two of this one as it is made to enjoy and help impart a relaxing mood.  The light amber color provides a nice backdrop to the label's artwork as well.  This a nice dessert wine to pass the eve after a crazy work day.  Helps put your spirits at ease and settles you down to refocus on enjoying the wine of the moment. Cheers!

www.sandstonecellarswinery.com

Pinot Grigio - 2006; Flat Creek Estate; Marble Falls, Texas

This one has held up quite well over the years.  It's mature color is quite noticeable with a lovely straw hue. The fragrances are still good and pleasant.  The wine still has a nice medium body with a bit more minerality than expected, but it is grown in Texas and there are definite terroir variations that lend themselves to some nice mineral notes in whites.  It's still quite enjoyable and refreshing when chilled.  The wine pairs nicely with tapas, snacks, picnics, a light meal, or even on its own as you enjoy a lovely sunset at the end of the day. Cheers!

www.flatcreekestate.com

Colorado River Winery – Bastrop, Texas

The historic downtown Bastrop area provides an ideal location for one of the newest wineries to open in Texas.  December 21^st, 2013 was the opening day for owners Brad and Sylvia Cook.  Apparently, it’s been a dream of Brad’s to have a winery since his young wine making days.  Now he gets to "retire" and do what he loves.  The long slender tasting room has Tuscany style décor with a relaxed, cozy and welcoming atmosphere making you feel at home. The winery offers a selection of wine related gift and gourmet food items, along with a selection of jewelry. Wine making is done on the premises.  You may get a scent of CO2 in the air as part of the experience.  That’s just to get your brain ready for some good wine tasting!  They get their juices primarily from California and Washington, though their Tempranillo is Texas sourced.  There are currently eight wines available for tasting. The unoaked Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio are quite refreshing as the temperatures outside begin to heat up. The sweet white is a Riesling blend that is bright, clean and quite good. The Sweet Blush with hints of raspberry, tastes great chilled.  For the reds, the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines are soft enough on the palate for most to enjoy.  Their best dry red is the Tempranillo.  The top seller by far though has been something that was just supposed to be a seasonal variety for the holidays, their Seasonal Bliss. The Seasonal Bliss has just a hint of cranberry and sweetness married in this good medium bodied wine to create a great “bliss” to cap off your tasting session.  This is a great spot to bring your friends to swirl and chill.  Have fun, stay a while and enjoy the wines, staff and the comfortable tasting room. We think you'll enjoy the visit! Cheers!

www.coloradoriverwinery.com

Sandstone Cellars II - 2005: Sandstone Cellars; Mason, County

This well aged red wine is super delightful treat for your honey.  It is a Touriga/Mouvedre/Syrah blend with a little bit of five other grapes which are all sourced from Mason County.  There is that strong aromatic scent that only enhances your anticipated tasting experience.  The wine is a good dry deep red, with peppery notes  in the middle, and a long smoky finish at the end.  It's very well balanced from beginning to end.  It also has managed to retain its deep red color for its age.  The quality of the wine has held up very well over the years and could have easily lasted a little longer in the cellar. We were very happy to enjoy this one recently and note how well it tasted for its age as well as how well it aged. WOTM fans will be very pleased with this one! This was fabulous with a rich Italian dinner and would likewise pair nicely with steaks. Cheers!

 

www.sandstonecellarswinery.com

Dank Lights Out - 2012; Fly Gap Winery; Mason, Texas

The Black light illumination of the label is a great eye catcher and it gives a whole new meaning to artistry in wine label designs.  The craftsmanship of the wine is as equally impressive for this newer winery.  The Syrah/Mourvedre blend (71/29) is just delicious!  No fancy terms are needed to describe this wine.  It just has that great overall mouth feel of a good quality wine, with medium body, some acidity and a nice slightly oaked taste to this dry red. Though the oaked "woodsy" taste comes through initially when you sip this wine, when paired with food those notes fade as the wine pairs nicely with a wide variety of dishes. This wine also has the potential to age well over the next few years.  Stay tuned to this wine channel when we open that second bottle...at some point in the future! Fly Gap has hit a home run right out of the box, so we're looking forward to more great offerings from this winery in years to come.

www.flygapwinery.com

Cabernet Blanc – 2006; Grape Creek Vineyard; Stonewall, Texas

This is a great tasting rosé that hits all the high points of your tasting experience.  Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, it has hints of ripe berries and a honeysuckle aroma.  It has just the right balance of a good semi-sweet wine, yet sufficient sweetness to please those who prefer sweeter wines.  Sip, swirl, and smell all it has to offer as you take in the beauty of the pale raspberry hue and the lovely fruit forward taste. This is a good wine for every course and would pair nicely with something a little spicy and definitely is very enjoyable on its own too.

 

www.grapecreek.com

Lily Lake Vineyards – Lorena, Texas

After being opened for two years, this small family boutique winery is producing some good local handcrafted wines.  What began as a hobby for owners Rick and Patty Wendt is now an upcoming winery business.  They have about four acres of grapes planted in the estate, plus a few peach trees.  The varietals include: Merlot, Black Spanish, Marechal Foch, and Blanc du Bois.  The vines range from two to six years old.  Other grapes/juices used to make their wines are sourced from around Texas and California.  This may be the only vineyard in Texas trying out Marechal Foch.  They have a lengthy menu of offerings to sample in their tasting room.  At this time there were ten available to try. You will get a fairly good range from whites to reds with some dry, but their focus is on more sweet wines, as they are focused more on producing what they like. Most of their wines will be in the 375ml bottle.  One unusual notable one was the “bubbly” cabernet sauvignon.  It was made that way on purpose as Rick experimented with champagne yeast on this one.  It’s actually quite good and fruit forward.   The Blanc du Bois is quite tasty when chilled.  You’ll also be fortunate to try a vertical of their Black Spanish ports from 2008 to 2011.  A fine example of how Texas climate can change the flavor of the same grape annually depending on our wonderful weather conditions.  Unfortunately, in years past they offered a peach wine as well however, the last freeze of 2013 didn’t fare well for their peach crop, so there was no peach wine for us to try on this visit.  Rick likes to experiment and try different things with wines, so check back from time to time to see what he has created.  This place has a great panoramic view of the countryside. The owners have a back area where you can enjoy live music and events and a lake view.  They are a great couple to chat and sip with, so go ahead and travel that gravel road and sip a spell.

www.lilylakevineyards.com

Blackberry Wine – NV; Poteet Winery; Poteet, Texas

Extra fruity with both sweet and tart notes, this fruit wine gives a whole new meaning to blackberry pie.  Berries are locally sourced to make this sweet wine.  The alcohol content is not high and it’s not syrupy sweet.  You get the sweet side first, quickly followed by the berries tart side across the top of your tongue. This deep plum colored wine is a well balanced fruit wine you can enjoy all year round, but sure does tastes especially nice in Spring.

www.poteetwine.com

Private Cuvee - NV; Rancho Ponte Vineyards; Fredericksburg, Texas

This delightfully sparkling wine is a pleasure to enjoy for almost any occasion.  It has just the right amount of “bubbles” and just a tad bit of sweetness, making this an easy sipping sparkler.  It does taste like a blend of different whites rather than a single varietal, but doesn’t distract from the experience, in fact we thought it added nice character.  Although the back of the label says that it was made by Woodbridge Champagne Cellars in California, it really doesn’t matter where it came from. What we want you to focus on is how it tastes, looks and how it can compliment any occasion you want to celebrate.  It’s good and enjoyable for all! Cheers!

 

www.ranchoponte.com

Nolan Creek Winery – Belton, Texas

Phil Monge and Vira Chudasma opened up this place about a year ago just off the downtown square.  Located in the “Gin” marketplace, this winery not only offers their own wine, but a good selection from other wineries around the world.  To sample their in-house made wines, ask for the ‘Nolan Creek Winery flight’.  Grapes are sourced from the Texas High plains and some from California.  During this visit, they had four wines available for tasting.  Their sweet white is quite nice, with definite green apple notes to this crisp but sweet wine.  It has good flavor and is an easy drinking wine.  Their White Blend is a mix of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc and is a drier wine with a crispness and a bit of a toasted nut finish. Their sweet red, Texas Moonlight, is smooth and suitable for any afternoon or after dinner event. It packs a lot of blueberry and raspberry notes in this very fruit forward option, while it is very smooth and makes for another easy sipping option to enjoy. They are proud of their red blend (Syrah/Mourvedra) being a bronze medal winner at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition.  Let this one age for a few more years and compare your notes from the first taste.  We hear they are also working on a future Zinfandel release that should be very nice. Be looking for more updates on that one on their Facebook page. Their wine bar décor has an upscale, jazzy chic bistro feel that is inviting and makes you feel very welcomed.  The owners picked a great locale in Belton.  Worth the visit and the time to just hanging out!

www.winesofnolancreek.com