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