Sunday, August 30, 2015
Chardonnay Reserve - 2008; Los Pinos Ranch Vineyard; Pittsburg, Texas
What a great color for this aged white. It's always nice when these older white wines
turn out well in color and in taste . This Chardonnay from Los Pinos greets you
with the scent of tropical fruit, citrus and lime. This big white is dry with defined oaky
character. There are strong flavors of vanilla with some butteriness. There is
a distinct flavor profile that tastes like chardonnay aged in whiskey barrels,
which is very nice. It's sophisticated enough for sipping, pairs beautifully
with cheeses, yet is also quite delightful at the dinner table. Raise a glass for this one and enjoy!
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Texacaia - 2010; Alamosa Wine Cellars; Bend, Texas
This delicious red wine treat is a blend of Sangiovese
(64%), Tannat (25%), Petite Verdot (11%).
You'll pick up the lovely garnet color on the rim of the glass as you
hold it up to the light. Beautiful,
isn't it? Next, you'll indulged in aroma
of plums mixed with a bit of leather.
That's just the prelude to the rich minerality with a hint of earthiness
to follow. Some pepper notes may
initially greet you, but wait until you experience the full mouth swirl. There are no misses on these moderate tannins
as you experience the full dry textured feel across your palate. This is a great example of a single vineyard
blend from Alamosa's estate vineyard. You taste the richness in their style of
wines and recognize what can be achieved in Texas vineyards. This wonderful bottle pairs well with game
and beef dishes. Viva la Texacaia !
Friday, August 21, 2015
Lost Maples Winery – Vanderpool, Texas
You’re in for a real treat when you come to visit this
place both in scenery and wines. Bandera County is definitely one of the
best places along the southern part of the Hill Country to swim and camp.
Now, you have a great winery to add to your get-a-way adventures. Owners
Tom and Glenda Slaughter starting growing grapes on the family land back in
2005/2006. Their Polvadeau Vineyards stakes its claim as the first
commercial vineyard in Bandera County. Glenda’s family has been here for
175+ years and she is staying true to loving and tending the land. Their
12 acre estate currently has about 2000 vines of Black Spanish grapes
planted. One look at the vines and you don’t need to be an expert
to tell that they take good care of their plants. That care and love for
the land is also reflected in the wine that they make. All wines are made
at their estate facility. They opened back in January 2015.
Currently, there are five wines to try out. The 2013 Polvadeau Vin Blanc
is a Sauvignon Blanc based wine which is quite crisp with bold citrus
flavors. The 2013 Polvadeau Vin Symphonique is made with the symphony
grape. Sourced from California, this hybrid grape is highly
aromatic. It has a sweet sense at first, but then quickly dissipates and
leaves a refreshing feel on the palate. The 2013 Lenoir (Polvadeau Vin
Rouge) was oaked for two years. It is quite nice with good flavors and smooth
finish. Who knew a Lenoir could have this kind of quality taste!
The 2014 Polvadeau L’Inspiration is a blend of 80% Lenoir and 20% Cabernet
Sauvignon, which has a surprising Pinot Noir like taste. Lastly, the 2014
Polvadeau du Dieu is their Lenoir dessert wine. Fortified with cognac, this
fortified wine at 18% alcohol is sure to be a nice pairing for your favorite
dark chocolate. We also got to taste their 60/40 Petite Sirah/Lenoir
blend (Polvadeu Vin Rouge XL) which is expected to be released
shortly. The Slaughters have really hit the mark on this last wine
and it's sure to be a top selling Lenoir blend . If you want to taste what quality Lenoir wine
is, then do come here. Plus, there’s nothing like checking out a brand new
facility! As it turns out, Tom was also a musician with Mickey
Gilley back in the days. Gilley’s will be re-opening again and will be
featuring Lost Maples bottled wines. What a way to come back with a Texas
twist! Tom and Glenda are really nice people and will take great care of
you when you stop in to visit. They are very friendly and warm hosts with some
fun tales to tell we're certain! Feel free to take your time and enjoy the
fantastic surrounding scenery as it is a delightful drive on some of the most
beautiful roads in Texas. They are also conveniently located very close
to the entrance of the Lost Maples park, so you might want to plan an extended
outing to visit both as you enjoy getting lost in this little piece of mountainous
paradise. Have fun and enjoy!
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Jacques Lapin - 2013; Alamosa Wince Cellars; Bend, Texas
This is a 100% estate grown Verdelho
varietal. This dry white wine initially greets you as crisp and light. After opening and pouring your fist glass,
you'll note the pleasant pear and passion fruit aromas on the nose. With the first few sips, you'll definitely
distinguish some lemony notes along with some slight soft oak. What better way
to wrap up a hot summer week than a bottle of this and your favorite cheese and
crackers. This wine seems quite
versatile and could easily pair with many lovely summer foods. It equally stands alone as a great wine to
share with friends and family when the temperatures get hotter outside and
something crisp and refreshing is required. This could be the new standard for
Texas seafood and white wine pairing. Enjoy and savor every sip!
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Radiance - 2007; Rancho Ponte; Fredericksburg, Texas
It's always nice to pour a good old white
wine that has aged well. The deep golden
yellow color is always a pleasure to gaze at as one sizes up the vino before
sipping. Radiance is a slightly sweet
Riesling made by Rancho Ponte. It was
one of their first wines released when they first opened. While you're lost in
the depths of this wine's color, you're nose will detect the unmistakable citrus
aromas in the glass. There are also honeydew notes as well. Take a few sips and the melon and pear
flavors unfold. After sipping and
smelling, you'll enjoy how the fruit notes lend themselves to a fruit salad
like feel. It's good served chilled, enjoyed
both by itself as a great wine for warm summer days and likewise pairs nicely
with your lighter summer dishes like salads and pastas.
Friday, August 7, 2015
Rosato di Sangiovese - 2013; Alamosa Wine Cellars; Bend, Texas
You
are definitely in for a wonderful treat!
This a very clean dry Rose' that just tantalizes your entire tongue as
you sip and savor this one. With pleasant bright cherry notes with a hint of
berry sweetness that enliven your taste buds on the sides, front and back of
your palate, you end up finding yourself craving more and more. The color is
also intoxicating and a sexy raspberry rose shade. Pour a second glass just to
make sure and enjoy these great sensations all over again. The acidity gods
approve of this work of art as the wine has a beautiful balance. Complimenting
this wine with some pork chops or cheese is a sure way to get the full Rose'
deal. Chilled, this makes a perfect treat during the hot Texas summer heat. Cheers!
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Calais Winery – Hye, Texas
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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