Riesling - NV; Bernardo Winery; San Diego, California

Looking for a pleasant wine for a pleasant evening?  Check this one out sometime.  This lovely white Riesling has a tad bit of honey like sweetness that compliments its citrus notes. Initially, the aroma of apricot presents itself after pouring a glass. Visually, the deep golden hue will capture your attention in mesmerizing fashion.  This a good wine for just about any occasion and holds true to one of southern California's oldest wineries. It pairs nicely with any course, and also stands on its own to be enjoyed with pure pleasure. Simply delicious on one of those not quite Spring yet unusually warm winter days. Cheers!

www.bernardowinery.com

Cranberry Honeywine – Rohan Meadery; La Grange, Texas

It’s floral….it’s cranberry…and it’s wonderful!  This mead is a great flavored mead that will help change doubters to mead loving drinkers! It is lightly sweet with a smidge of tartness. This particular mead doesn’t come across as syrupy sweet, but more like a drinkable light sweet fruity wine.  The cranberry flavor adds a lovely berry compliment to the honeywine enhancing the depth and overall tasting experience. This one makes a good dessert wine that we strongly suggest during the holidays and winter months when cranberry factors into so many different meals.

www.rohanmeadery.com

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2012; William & Chris Wines; Hye, Texas

Sourced from Lepard Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, this is truly one of those cabernets that shows that Texas can and does make some really great reds.  Given the right soil conditions, climate, and the right winemaker, these raw Texas grapes of promise really do transform into some great wine.  Go ahead and enjoy the aromatic bouquet after opening the bottle. You’ll likely do this repeatedly as it breathes, but that’s ok.  It’s all part of the experience that true wine geeks understand.  Feel free to decant or aerate before serving.  Before trying it though we encourage you to study it and admire the  deep garnet color.  Stunning, isn’t it? When you breathe in the initial aroma from the glass, you’ll definitely notice a hint of raspberry. Take those initial sips and you’ll begin to taste both berry and nut flavors.  Quite good, right?  Having good acidity and a nice finish is just icing on the cake.  Being the smart red wine drinker, you’ll recognize that this will pair nicely with your favorite grilled steak.  This wine is one of those that you'll want to stock up on so you can try a bottle annually ….or maybe every six months to see how it continues to age and unfold, because you just like it that much!  It will be interesting to compare notes over time to see how things change with age, and how much more the love continues to grow for this one. Special cheers for this bottle and pour me some more!

 

www.williamchriswines.com

Lewis Wines – Johnson City, Texas

All it sometimes takes is some young guys with big ideas, passion, and hard work and presto….you have a great winery making some really good wine and establishing a name for itself!  This small winery located just west of Johnson City is putting out a good array of wines that are 100% Texas hand crafted wines. Bottom line, you really, really, need to check out the wines from these guys!  Owners Doug Lewis and Duncan McNabb (Pedernales Cellars “graduates”)  started making their own wine label in 2010 and opened for tasting by appointment a couple of years ago.  They have a local estate vineyard of about seven acres recently planted this year with focus on Portuguese varietals like Tannat and Touragi and others.  They also source grapes from a vineyard near Round Mountain as well as the Texas High Plains.  Let’s start with the whites.  The first on the list is Swim Spot (2013).  Made from a blend of Blanc du Bois (73%) and Chenin Blanc (27%),  it’s quite refreshing for those final days of Texas summer in November!  The other white, 2012 Texas White Wine, is a blend of Viognier (52%) and Chenin Blanc (48%).  It encompasses the best qualities of both varietals.  The 2013 Chenin Blanc is made from grapes from Mesa Verde and is quite nice, as well.  Their 2013 Rose from Mourvedre is a hint of soft pale pink that could pass as an adult refreshing summer time beverage....think softer than pink lemonade shade. The 2011 Texas Red Wine is a blend of primarily Mourvedre and Tempranillo along with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.   It has a lovely lingering finish that's best described as "wow"!  The 2011 Merlot has its grapes sourced from Granite Hill Vineyards.  Yep, the same grapes you may have had from William and Chris and Compass Rose’s Merlot version.  Lewis Wines has kept the high standard from this vintage and vineyard and made their own great Merlot, as well.  So store these Merlot bottles in your private stash!  The Parr Tempranillo, sourced from Parr Vineyards in Mason County, is to die for.  Only 198 cases produced of this one so get some while the gettin' is good, as they are sure to be gone soon.  Lewis wines has done quite well with the Tempranillo grape that has helped put Texas on the world wine map.  But the best is for last!   The 2011 Newsom Reserve is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Cabernet Franc (31%) and Malbec (13%).  It’s a twist on their own Bordeaux style wines that packs some pleasure for the true red wine aficionado.  It just damn good… what else needs to be said!  It just has one of those beautiful finishes that lasts and lasts and a great bouquet. It makes you crave for more!  Lewis Wines shows great promise in contributing quality Texas Hill Country wines to the growing list.  So, come visit, chat, and enjoy their own piece of Texas Hill Country setting with some of their wine! You will not be disappointed. Cheers and well done!!

www.lewiswines.com

Happy New Year!