Colección de Parcelas – 2014; Bodegas y Viñedos Las Nubes; Baja Califonia, Mexico

Another fine wine from Mexico!  This rich red blend represents great quality from the Valle de Guadalupe wine region.  We received multiple insights regarding what the exact blend is, but the most reliable so far says 10% Tempranillo, 60% Carignan, 20% Grenache, 10% Sryah.  It’s a nice dry bold fruit wine with excellent tannins.  The color is red to violet with notes of prunes and caramel initially followed by some smokiness to compliment the sensory experience.  There is also a bit of minerality to add to the tasting notes, which is pleasantly unique to this terroir.  On the finish, this one is nice and smooth leaving you longing for more!  This fresh and balanced red wine is a keeper  so it's worth stocking up a few bottles and saving a few to sip later. Enjoy!

www.vinoslasnubesbc.com

Andreucci Wines – Fredericksburg, Texas

Italy has come to Texas!  And we’re talking about a very long established winery from Italy that has now set its sights on making a mark in the Texas Hill Country.  If you’ve ever wondered what the bar is set to for fine Italian style wine, then this is it.  Many frequent Hill Country wine travelers may have noticed construction of Andreucii Wines along HWY 290 for the last couple for years.  That is a venture between Italian winemaker Flavio Andreucci and Bill Sutherland who both have a strong passion to bring fine Italian wine making styles to Texas.  The Andreucci family have been well established at making wines and tending vineyards since the 1790s in the Tuscany region of Italy.  Their vineyard foundations started in Montefollonico.  The Andruecii goal of the vineyard along HWY 290 is to produce the same fine Tuscany style wines using classic Italian wine making techniques while using Texas grapes.  A worthwhile effort, indeed!  The Hill County vineyard has Sangiovese, Merlot, and Primitivo planted for that future endeavor. Until those fine wines come from that vineyard, you can enjoy some fantastic fine Italian wines at their tasting room in Fredericksburg.  They have several wines available for tasting of which you get to choose five.   The black label wines are the premium tasting, well worth the extra fee to sample.  For the whites, we first tried the 2015 Donna Alma. This Pinot Grigio wine has distinctive citrus notes to this dry and smooth white.  Next, was the 2014 Montepulciano.  This deeply hued ruby red wine has some intense cherry aromas and strong to moderate tannins that linger on the palate.  The Cabernet Black label is a bold Cab Franc with an excellent balance between acidity and tannins, making it one of the finer Cab Francs we’ve tasted.  The 2014 Regale Black Label is a classic Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, and Merlot that has intense tobacco and smoke for those who find rich reds enticing.  By far and away, the 2008 Brunello is worth your stop!  Made from 100% Sangiovese, it harnesses rich plum flavors with long lasting tannins. There is something to be said for this 36-month aged sexy red.  It sets the bar for a Sangiovese wine!  To finish your tasting, try their Prosecco which is dry and delightful with lasting bubbles to cleans your palate.  You can reminisce on this fantastic tasting experience as you rejoice that these folks plan to be around for many years, with an increased selection of both Italian and Texas made wines planned. Andreucci has really set the bar high for quality wine tasting in the Texas Hill Country.  It’s a great place for you to relax and enjoy the rustic lounge area flanked with racks of lovely bottles of wine along the wall! Saluti!

www.andreucciwines.com

Pinnelli – 2010; Bernhardt Winery; Plantersville, Texas

This blend of Pinot Grigio and Muscat Canelli is to die for.  The deep golden color of this aged white has held up nicely over the years. Entice yourself with the pear and citrus aromas for a few swirls and sniffs.  The soft texture of the first taste is quite lovely.  You can’t help but want another sip of this very easy to drink white. Serve chilled with your best cheese and you’ll have a lovely evening with your sweetie!

www.bernhardtwinery.com

Chenin Blanc - 2015; Casa Madero; Valle de Parras, Mexico

This off dry wine is a very pleasant fruit forward white with a bright, clear yellow color that transports you into summer relaxation and beach mode. The tropical fruit flavors and lingering finish are definitely worth getting lost in as you unwind and enjoy the winemaker's work.  It's clean and crisp with acidity that is a bit on the high side, which complements the citrus nose. There are also pear and peach notes, again making this a very enjoyable white to drink alone or with light summer dishes. This white when chilled will still warm your heart.

www.madero.com.mx

CA-3 NV; Location Wines; California

This blend of Petite Sirah, Barbera, Tempranillo, Syrah, and Grenache represents a little bit of the best of everything red from California. The beautiful ruby red hue is only the start.  The cherry aromas stand out the most, but you’ll sense the other black fruit as well. It may be a bit hot at first, but after half an hour it starts coming together.  The herbal and raspberry flavors are quite nice along with a bit of peppery notes. It’s a medium bodied wine with moderate tannins and has a lengthy full finish. Not bad for a little bit of everything from California.  Take a few more sips and just enjoy for the fun of it.  Grab a few bottles, this one can be enjoyed now and you can stash a few bottles for later. Cheers!

www.locationswine.com

Ron Yates - Johnson City, Texas

Ron Yates, co-owner of Spicewood Vineyards, has opened this fantastic 16-acre scenic winery along the fast-growing US HWY 290 winery corridor.  Upon driving onto the property, you’ll notice off to the right the majestic field of four acres of Tempranillo vines to greet you.  Pull up to the large 6,000 square foot production building and you’ll have a nice patio view out front to enjoy your tasting session.   They’ve had their “soft” opening since September and have been taking appointments for you to enjoy your tasting sessions.

If you’ve loved the wines from Spicewood, then you’re going to be in for a treat at Yates!  The same great winemaker, Todd Crowell, is making the wines here as well.  In addition to Texas wines, you’ll also get to try some great tasting wines made from high quality fruit from some fantastic vineyards along the west coast.  Yates wines has allowed the winemaker to expand and branch out into making some different types of high quality creations.

There are currently nine wines for you to try on their tasting menu.  The first three are whites.  The 2015 Sauvignon Blanc has a lovely crisp taste for those days when it’s summer in December in Texas.  Next is the 2015 Viognier.  Yates does Texas proud with this fine wine that does well for the state.  The last white is a 2015 Albarino sourced from Bingham Family Vineyards.  This is another up and coming Texas white varietal that has some intense peachy aromas only to be complimented by its crisp texture.  The 2014 Pinot Noir is a very super (and we mean “super-duper”) fine one to taste.  Sourced from the Russian River Valley, this dry and full mouth feel red leaves you longing to savor many more bottles no matter the price!  You can pick up some of that great Texas dirtiness in the 2014 Tempranillo.  Yes, this is what earthy is all about!   The 2014 Mourvedre, sourced from Bingham Family Vineyards, is a light and smooth red wine to enjoy on a lazy afternoon.  Sourced from Washington, the 2014 Garnacha has beautiful strawberry notes.  The 2014 Zinfandel is sourced from Dry Creek in Sonoma.  This red wine is light and dry and an easy drinking red for everyone to enjoy.  Other future wines in the making will be a Carignan (oh yeah!) as well as a possible Touriga blend. 

The current vineyard is in its second leaf with plans to add about 10 acres of more vines.  It will be one fabulous entrance once these vines are lush and mature.  You’ll see next to the vineyard another future tasting room being constructed.  And there are plans to include yet another large tasting room for visitors to enjoy these wonderful wines.  Did we mention a salt water pool, as well?  Now that will add a unique twist that no other winery currently offers!

You’ll be very pleased with your visit here and will be eager to see how the place expands and grows over time.  Mark this spot on your list for a visit and a repeat visit in the future!

www.yateswines.com

Merlot/Malbec - 2014; Casa Magoni; Baja California, Mexico

This Merlot(60%)/Malbec(40%) blend from Baja has a nice soft and rich texture for the bold red wine drinker.  The black cherry notes meld with a touch of pepper and chocolate.  On the palate there is the initial softness followed by a pleasant finish.  This bottle needs some time to breath once opened, but after an hour you'll have a good long evening to taste and pair with different foods.  Take this treat from Mexico and enjoy with steak or strawberries and chocolate. This wine will entice you to enjoy life well. Salud!

www.casamagoni.com

Chardonnay – 2011; Hye Meadow Winery; Hye, Texas

Sometimes, the wine cellar throws a few surprises.  This original white wine from Hye Meadow is one of them. The wine is made with 90% Chardonnay and 10% Riesling, sourced from the Columbian Valley.  What may not have initially been intended to keep this long has held up very well.  The color has only moderately intensified over the years. The aromas are still quite nice and you get notes of tart green apple, subtle yeast and butter on the palate. The “crispness” has not diminished one bit! Take away the vintage, and you’d think it was last year’s Chardonnay just aged a tad bit longer.  It’s an incredibly great white for a hot summer day that is very refreshing and will pair nicely with many dishes. We’re always pleased when one of these originals turns out well and even more tickled when they have aged without any significant compromise.  Thanks to the grapes, the winemaker, the cellar, and some good wine luck, we were able to sip and really enjoy this wine recently.  Until the next one, cheers!

www.hyemeadow.com

EME Graciano - 2010; Bodegas Casado Morales; Rioja Alavesa, Spain

100% Graciano from Rioja?  Yes, they do exist!  This opaque ruby colored wine is one of those delightful ones to savor.  The nutty aromas and berries are just the tip of the sensory tease for this beauty.  You may notice hints of plums and a bit of chocolate notes too.  That's why you enjoy breathing in a good wine like this before taking the first sip.  After all, you don't want to miss any of the experience this wine has to offer, do you?  On the first sip you experience flavors of plums, cherries, and a bit of orange.  Nice, isn't it?  They'll be followed by some spice, pepper and some good wholesome earthiness! The very lovely tannins lead to a super lingering finish.  Yes, have another sip and enjoy all over again.  It's dry, yet fruity for this medium bodied Graciano.  The acids demand nothing less than a good fatty meal to compliment your evening experience.  Enjoy this savory and rich wine.  It's a fine example of the best flavors from Rioja.  Salud!

www.casadomorales.es

Vinovium – Johnson City, Texas

Well, you’re in for a treat with a totally different wine tasting experience!  Owners Craig Mayer, Daniel Kelada, Travis Graves, and Allen Lucarelli have kicked started a new and refreshing way for customers to enjoy their tasting sessions.  Vinovium Partners has actually been around since 2012 offering services and products to the industry.  Their tasting room along Hwy 290 started soft openings back in early July.  What you’ll first notice about this place when you’re in the tasting room are the taps for pouring wine.   Yes, how cool is that? Vinovium (and yes, the name does reference the roman fort in England) uses a keg solution for pouring wine and selling to customers. Besides reducing cost, this also helps promote to customers that their wine is ready to drink now and drink well.  After your tasting session in the Growler Lounge, all you do is select what wine you like and they bottle it for you in a growler.  Bring it back when it’s empty, and you can enjoy more great wines from their selection.  (Nice way to recycle the bottles!) Once you get the hang of how it works, you’ll walk away and come back a satisfied wine lover and customer.  They try to use Texas grapes when the can for their wines, but they also have a great selection of wines made from grapes from around the world.  On the tasting menu, you’ll also get to see who the wine maker was for each wine.  Some of you may notice some familiar names from the Texas wine industry!  We got to try a great selection that included bubbly, whites, Rose’, reds, and then some using their “Old World style” glasses.  They happened to have a great Prosecco to try that was quite delicious.  We’ll save that bottle for a special celebration posting in the future.  The 2015 Texas Rose’ is made by Llano Estacado.  This blend of Cinsault, Zinfandel, Carignan, and Grenache has nice melon notes. The 2013 American Lot 37 is made by Tim Drake from Flat Creek.  There is nothing Tim touches that won’t turn out great!  This white mixture of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Pinot Grigio has refreshing lemon flavors and some hints of avocado.   The California 2014 Chardonnay is very smoky, with a creamy texture. The 2014 Oregon Pinot Noir greets you with ripe bright berry flavor with some earthiness to it. The second Tim Drake creation is the Texas lot 83 NV blend.  Think of this Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo blend as the Super Texan NV. Yes, it is quite good and does Super Texan proud!  The California 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is pretty on the nose with some light herbal notes.  Next, was the Two Worlds NV blend.  Made from many different wine makers of old and new world grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Carignan, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay), you’ll get a complex meld of licorice notes with some nuttiness.  The 2012 Montsant is made by the famous former Becker winemaker Russel Smith.  The Master made a fantastic red blend of Grenache and Carignan.  It’s leathery rich and dark texture only adds to that full body experience and makes you want to linger over this glass. We also tried the Italian Moscato on hand made from the same place as the Prosecco.  It was sweet, dripping with a honeysuckle nose and pure joy on the palate. A great way to end the tasting session!  Did we mention that have espresso, too? How many times have you been on 290 and craved a shot of espresso or some great coffee and agonized that you have to drive all the way back to Fredericksburg or Marble Falls to get your fix?  Wine tasting or not, you can now stop here for an espresso shot too.  Vinovium plans on holding wine education classes.  These are a great educational opportunity to enhance and appreciate wine even more.  The great location and nice hill country scenery in the back makes for a great new place to sip and relax.  Staying open till 9pm just adds another spot to extend your day as you hang out with friends enjoying your trek into the Hill country wine region. They have definitely raised the bar on what’s trending with Texas wineries.  We look forward to many more visits and new wine offerings coming in the future. Because they produce small lots, they can turn over wine faster and provide broader options on their tasting menu, leaving you more opportunities to check out new things with every visit. Looking forward to seeing how their vision unfolds in the future. A bright new beginning on the 290 Hill Country wine trail. Cheers!

www.vinoviumpartners.com

Origen 43 - 2014; Casa Magoni; Baja California, Mexico

This lovely Italian style wine from Mexico is a treat to be had.  It's a blend of Montepulciano 30%, Aglianico 30%, Canaiolo 15%, Sangiovese 15%, and Cabernet Sauvignon 10%.  Holding your glass up to the light, you'll notice a nice garnet hue.  On the nose, this wine is quite fruity and floral with notes of cherries and raspberries. What your tongue will notice are spices, smokiness, some pepper, and soft tannins.  The mineral notes are quite pronounced, but the acidity is mild to moderate and it does have a refreshing aftertaste.  Overall, a nice medium bodied red blend to ease the long day.  Enjoy!

www.casamagoni.com

Chopo Monastrell - 2014; Finca Bacara; Murcia, Spain

This wine is a good example of not judging a wine by its price.  Let's start with the initial pour.  It will be quite hot at first, so wait a good ninety minutes before you enjoy this one.  Otherwise, your pre-judging will kick in. After that time, it really begins to open up.  You'll enjoy the fruit forward aroma.  The tannins are medium, yet the finish is somewhat light and smooth.  Pair this with neutral foods and you'll have an easy drinking wine for many occasions.  Oh....and the price point...under $10!  For this wine and this price, you're definitely getting a good bang for the buck!

Hensell – 2015; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

If you like Provencal-style Rosé, then you are going to fall madly in love with this one. Dry…..YES!  That makes this a wine worth enjoying daily. Made from Cinsault grapes, that initial pink salmon color pouring into your wine glass is just the first sensory step.  Take the time to breath in all those fresh ripe aromas and prepare yourself to enjoy the way a Rosé was meant to be enjoyed.  Strawberries, raspberries, and crème…oh my!  You want to enjoy what you’ve just sipped now!  That’s ok.  In this case, it would be a crime not to overindulge a little.  That second sip just reinforces those first flavors plus that satisfaction of pucker along the corners.  The acidity on the front and back is just icing on the cake, however,  the long lasting finish is the pièce de résistance!  Buy enough cases, and you just might want to bathe in it as well.  Santé ! Santé !

www.kuhlmancellars.com

City Scape Winery - Pelzer, South Carolina

If you want to take a drive off the beaten path and really get way out into the middle of nowhere in the country,  then this might be your winery destination. Stop, relax, and have fun while you get ready to sample a wealth of offerings at City Scape Winery.  The current owners, Josh and Deb Jones, bought the winery from Wayne and Anita Tamme last year.  The winery has been open for about eight years. Josh and Deb had been practicing wine making prior to buying the winery and were delighted to take over the business at City Scape when the opportunity arose. The location and setting is quite beautiful.  The tasting room is relaxing with a welcoming cozy feel. There are about two acres currently planted on the twelve-acre estate.  Carlos and Noble Muscadine vines can be found here in addition to some Black Spanish. They also source from other vineyards to help supplement their production.  All wines are made on site.   You'll get to  try a nice selection of wines from whites, to blushes, to reds, and yes....dessert!  The Pineapple Riesling is really special and will put smile on your face.  Their white Muscadines are a nice surprise. The Palmetto Gold white Muscadine has a little bit of a whisky taste to it!  You'll really like the Raspberry White Zin which has the expected raspberry notes.  Their red Muscadine wines are not harsh at all and pack lovely fruit flavors that make them quite pleasant.  The Carolina Nights is a mix of Blackberry, Merlot, and Noble.  Nothing is overpowering and it comes across as well balanced.  Their Dark Chocolate Red is a proprietary blend that pairs very well with dark chocolate.  They've also made a good light tasting Blackberry Merlot.  When you end off your tasting with the Coffee Delight (port style wines) you might want to be outside on the patio to relish the surrounding scenery.  These are some good quality wines to enjoy at a great price. The owners have plans for renovations and enhancements for the estate that include a bed and breakfast. It’s a super friendly place to sit, sip, and enjoy the pleasant county side of South Carolina. Stop by and sip a spell!

www.cityscapewinery.com

V - 2015; Casa Madero; Valle de Parras, Mexico

Add this Rosé to your hot afternoon summertime treat list.  Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, this Rosé wine is quite aromatic.  On the nose, this wine greets with peach and melon aromas as you begin your tasting journey.  Next, your palate is met with a sweet and slight zing of subtle effervescence, which quickly dissipates to flavors of tart green apples and herbs. This is a semi-dry to crisp wine.  It is a fine testament to what Mexico has to offer in producing some great wines. Though you may not be very familiar with wines from Mexico, we welcome you to get acquainted with this one and this winery, which is one of the oldest in North America and in Mexico. Enjoy this one and relish what it means to be living well!

www.madero.com.mx

Aglianico – 2012; Duchman Family Winery; Driftwood, Texas

Oh man, yes this wine is that good!  Take that initial gaze into that vibrant ruby color.  Spiced berries, cigars, and floral notes will be there to great your first sip. After the first few sips, you’ll pick up flavors of cherry, strawberry, and elegant spices.  It has a light body at first, but really develops more moderate density after being opened.  It’s about medium acidity, so it should pair well with many fine foods.  With a nice structure and well-rounded feel, you’ll savor those lasting moments of a fantastic finish!  Yes, the pronunciation can be a challenge, but it shouldn’t deter you from trying this varietal or this wine. It is very aromatic and flavorful with sufficient body and soft tannins to satisfy those who love a good rich red wine. It is a worthy successor to the 2011 vintage. Enjoy well!

www.duchmanwinery.com

Six years and still going…

A month behind posting this, but there was a lot of good wine to drink and blog about. J  Somehow, our wine inventory has exploded over the last year.  But that just means more great wines to write about in the future!  As we look forward to another exciting year of sipping and blogging, we hope to feature some wonderful little known wineries from some unexpected locations.  It is always a treat to visit one of those small tucked away boutique places before others know about them, as well as, finding that hard to find bottle of wine at a small town store.  We’ll certainly have these plus many more surprise wines to feature for the next year to come.  Salute!

Barranca -2013; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

Barranca, Barranca…turn to the left….turn to the right or straight up the vineyard valley.  Either way, you are steering in the direction of everlasting wine paradise.  First, that “popping” sound after just opening the bottle entices your senses for something new and exciting.  Like a child just discovering some fantastic candy, you can’t help but immediately smell the bottom of the cork to get a hint of what is to come.  Your wine Jedi training has disciplined you to let it breathe a bit before tasting because you know this will lead to some fantastic wine to taste!  Better yet, you probably will use a decanter.  This six blend red of 41% Petite Sirah, 36% Malbec, 14% Grenache, 5% Carignan, 2% Cinsault and 2% Mourvedre will definitely seduce you with some intense aromas.  Yes, the warm red color is seducing as you make that first pour.  Make note of sweet berries and licorice which initially greet you.  Nice, isn’t it?  Now take another sip to ensure your palate gets to catalogue all the wonderful flavors in the wine. Though mostly a middle mouth feel, it is full bodied with some dirty and leathery characters. The structure is quite nice and not too tannic.  Yes, the finish is long and very nice!  Pour another glass and linger over the dusty, mellow elegantness that is Barranca. Yes, a bottle you will cherish and love for eternity.  Enjoy well! 

www.kuhlmancellars.com

San Pasqual Winery – La Mesa, California

This small boutique winery has been around since the 1970’s.  In 2009, Linda and Mike McWilliams became the new owners and have since established three tasting room locations in the San Diego area.  They focus on small batch hand crafted wines which concentrate a lot of love and hard work into some quality wine.  Grapes are sourced from area vineyards as well as California viticulture areas.  We visited the Seaport Village location which is a great downtown place along the bay to hang out, visit and enjoy sipping wine.  They have many great wines to choose from for your tasting.  For this visit, we tried a couple of the whites and reds, along with a fruit wine.  Their 2015 Chardonnay comes across as very clean and quite crisp.  A very good afternoon choice for a long hot summer day.  The 2015 Rose’ is made from Cabernet Franc. It’s not too dry or sweet and has some lovely candy apples notes toward the finish. The 2013 Malbec is quite opaque with strong tannins and a rich, earthy mouth puckering feel.  The 2013 Zinfandel has a little spice to complement the berry flavors with just a touch of cedar aroma.  Now the Passion Fruit Blanc is to die for!  Locally sourced, it’s very, very clear and light colored but packs a very luscious tropical flavor that’s quite addictive. Bring a wine suitcase, because you’ll be dreaming of throwing a Hawaiian party when you bring many of these Passion Fruit bottles back with you. This is a really great quality wine bar addition to the San Diego community. It fits right in with the lifestyle and the people. When in the area, stop by and get acquainted with their wines, you won’t be disappointed!  Enjoy!

www.sanpasqualwinery.com

WA-4 NV; Location Wines; Washington

This particular location wine in the series is a blend of fruits from all over Washington State.  It’s primarily a Syrah blend with Merlot and Petite Syrah.  It’s best to let this wine breath for at least a good hour to bring out the best it has to offer.  It opens up nicely and the flavor profile reveals good dark fruit and ripe berries that are quite pronounced.  The wine is medium bodied and smooth, with a nice tannic structure that is not too heavy. The varietal blend seems well balanced and has a nice long lasting finish that is not too dry and has a little smokiness and hint of spice.  It’s a nice wine to compliment a variety of dishes and can easily be enjoyed by most earthy, drier red wine drinkers.  We found this one to be one of our favorite location wines thus far. Drink well and enjoy!

www.locationswine.com

Mision 13 – 2013; Santo Tomas; Baja California, Mexico

You’re in for a treat when you pour a glass of this great wine from the Baja region of Mexico.  This lovely red wine is a blend of Tempranillo 33%, Mision 34%, and Carignane 33%.  Ruby in color, it may tease you into thinking it will be a light tasting red at first.  Inhale the bouquet and take a few lingering sips and swirls to unleash notes of strawberry and plums to their fullest.  There is a medium finish and balanced texture making this wine a very pleasant one to the senses.  Definitely, a smooth red wine to be enjoyed either with a meal or alone. After your initial glass, pour another and let it sit for a couple of hours.  It really begins to open up to show its full potential to the palate. A fine example of good wine from one of Mexico’s largest wine producing regions!  Easy to drink...we hope you enjoy well, wine friends!

www.santo-tomas.com

Trebbiano 2010 – Duchman Family Winery; Driftwood, Texas

When the summer heat comes early, there’s no better treat than a nice chilled dry white wine.  This Trebbiano from Duchman hits the spot.  The grapes were sourced from Bingham Family Vineyards located in the Texas High Plains AVA.  The wine has nice banana flavors with a touch of citrus  The acids seem to have tapered off over the years, which may make it more palatable for some white wine lovers.  It is a crisp, dry white that definitely has a refreshing overall tropical mouth feel that will help transport you to that island relaxation mode. In the right cellar, it’s just as good years later. So, pop the cork and enjoy!

www.duchmanwinery.com

Enoree River Winery - Newberry County, South Carolina

You’ll love this nice vineyard tucked in the countryside just outside of Columbia. In a very relaxing and beautiful setting, the vineyard and peacefulness of the surrounding trees with help set the mood for a memorable wine tasting experience.  Richard and Laura LaBarre planted their vineyard roots here about 10 years ago.  The vineyard estate has about eight acres of Carlos and Noble Muscadine.  Since then, they’ve added Lenoir vines (aka Black Spanish) as well as Herbemont.  The vineyard has a bit of a Texas connection as they told us that they had originally gotten their Black Spanish cuttings from Texas' oldest vineyard at the Val Verde Winery.  We knew that there was something that instinctively led us here!  The winery has been operational for about eight years and serves wines made from locally sourced fruit as well as from grapes sourced out of state.  Your tasting will include a good selection of whites and reds.  They actually have a nice chardonnay to start off with that is clean, crisp, and unoaked with a bit of a lavender taste!  The Amber-Daze is a great summer time sweet blend to sip and enjoy on the porch. The Carlos Muscadine has notes of peaches and vanilla.  The Naked Noble Muscadine is a red wine made without the skins, offering a nice sweet and pleasant sipping treat.  Do check out their Strawberry wine!  It's quite delicious with all the natural flavors you would expect in fresh strawberry fruit.  This place is well worth the country drive so stop by and enjoy the gracious company, the views and the wines.

www.enoreeriverwinery.com

VT - 2011; Bodegas y Viñedos Valtravieso; Valladolid, Spain

Yes!  An absolutely wonderful Tinta Fina from Espana!  It pours with such beautiful cherry red color against the light. Swirl and enjoy the cocoa and balsamic aromas.  The mouth feel is not harsh or overwhelming. This has a good balance between the tannins and the acidity. You'll love the nice long mellow finish on each sip. This is a beautiful wine to enjoy on its own or pair with food. Strawberries really bring out some of the beauty in the tasting notes on this one.  Cheers!

www.valtravieso.com

Round Mountain Estate Blend - 2011; Lewis Wines; Johnson City, Texas

Meticulous detail to vineyard care and the great Texas drought of 2011 has produced some of the best quality Texas grapes which can be found in this wine. This blend of Tempranillo (82%) and Touriga Nacional (18%) is a testament to that and more.  Aging for 24 months just enabled the richness of the developed flavors that the Texas Hill Country has to offer. You’ll pick up notes of cherries and a bit of cocoa in this savory blend as well as some great earthiness.  The acids are still strong in this wine, so it will likely evolve more over time.  The tannins are moderate and provide a nice long and lingering finish.  Not that we’re in the points rating business, but we’ll go out on a limb on this one and give it 95 points! We suggest obtaining multiple bottles as this one is definitely able to lay down for a while. Maybe we’ll open the next bottle in 2020, so stay tuned our wine fans! Double Cheers!!

www.lewiswines.com

Nero d'Avola – 2013; Abbazia Santa Anastasia; Sicily, Italy

Let’s talk strong wine. Never had Nero d'Avola?  Then, you’re in for a treat.  This red wine from Sicily has everything “S” about it.  Strong tart acids, strong fruit aromas, strong and bright ruby red color, and strong gripping tannins on the sides. You’ll also pick up ripe berry and some black pepper notes.  As anticipated, there is also a bit of earthiness as well!   If you’re red wine palate feels up to the challenge, then you should do your wine senses a favor and try this varietal out as deep earthy red wine drinkers should enjoy this one. Get a couple of nice fatty dishes for pairing and you’ll be one happy wine lover.  Cheers!

abbaziasantanastasia.com

Truckee River Winery – Truckee, California

Don’t be discouraged by the red barn and small tasting room.  It can be a sign of great wines to be tasted!  Such is the case with this fine winery in Truckee.  Owner Russ Jones knows his wines, especially Pinot Noir. As a graduate of UC Davis, he has spent much time studying and learning in Oregon, Washington, and the Pasa Robles area.  Winemaking started for Russ and his wife back in 1989.  Over the years, they have grown and now have a cozy, comfortable  tasting room with very friendly staff to try their great wines.  Most of the grapes are sourced from the Lodi and Monterey regions.  All the wine making process from crushing, to fermenting, to aging, to bottling is done locally.  You’ll likely be greeted at the front door by their wine canine connoisseurs, Max and Hamond. At the wine bar, you’ll have two fine wine flights to select from; traditional and reserve. As a couple, we tried both and didn’t waste a drop.  The 2014 Pinot Gris is sourced from Lodi. It is moderately acidic with good apple notes.   The other white Lodi sourced wine is a 2014 Chardonnay. That wine is a very nice crisp, citrus, and floral treat.  The Red Barn Red is a local favorite and by far the most popular. It’s a red blend of Merlot, Zinfandel and Tempranillo. It has some smokiness and tastiness that adds to the full body tasting experience and it is an easy every day red wine.  The 2013 Zinfandel from Lodi is sourced from a vineyard that has been around since the 1930’s, so it is a true old vine wine.  Ahhh….real Zin!  Toasty and earthy…what’s not to like?  The 2014 Merlot is another Lodi sourced red. It’s a good easy drinking smooth Merlot that would pair well with many dishes.  Next, the menu transitions into Russ's favorite varietals, the Pinots. Two Pinot Noirs showcase the quality of the winemaker's skills and love for this varietal. The 2014 Pinot Noir is sourced out of Monterey County. Aged for a good two years, you’ll savor the taste of cherries and medium tannins. Bring on that pork chop for pairing!  Next is the 2012 “Best Man” Pinot Noir.  Another wine made from grapes sourced from Monterey County, these grapes came from Gary’s Vineyard.  Yes!  Everything that is great comes from that place and coupled with a very passionate winemaker, you get something no less than super awesome!  Aged for a nice long three years in new French Oak, you get all the rich deep flavors and notes that you were expecting.  These two Pinot Noir wines will entice even a non Pinot lover. They will also tempt you to want to purchase more than just a couple of bottles because they are truly just that great! The 2013 Malbec is sourced from the Chalk Hill AVA in Sonoma.  It’s tannic and chocolate flavors linger nicely. Rounding up the lineup is the Apres Dessert Wine.  It’s a traditional fortified port style wine made with Tinta Madera, Tinta Cao, Touriga and Sauzao. Have your best chocolate ready for that one!  Not on the list is a Rose’ that was released for Valentine’s Day. It’s a blend a Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Merlot.  A very nice treat when it’s in the 70’s in Lake Tahoe during the skiing season!  This a great quality winery close to Lake Tahoe and a great compliment to the town of Truckee.  Make sure to add this into your list of places to visit when on your next trip to the area and chat and sip with the tourists, locals, and staff. There is even Bocce available outside if you're interested in getting in a little game while you relax and enjoy!

www.truckeeriverwinery.com

XO Tawny Port – NV; Stone House Vineyard; Spicewood, Texas

Yes!  For anyone that’s familiar with the traditional port making process, this port can be considered 50 years old.  The flavors of Eden are quite prevalent in this burnt amber jewel.  Tilt the glass on its side, and you’ll see a slight golden twinkle on the edges of this precious little gem.  The nose up front is loaded with toffee and oak.  Quite enticing!  The sights and smells help prime your taste buds for a wonderfully soft, silky, toasted pecan flavor that is classic and satisfying with this tawny port. Mellow caramel notes embrace your taste buds to put that happy sweet smile on your lips. Lovely, isn’t it? This treat will make any night better and best of all this port will last a while in the bottle.  You’ll definitely have many more sweet dreams ahead with this one. Enjoy!

www.stonehousevineyard.com

3V – 2014; Casa Madero; Valle de Parras, Mexico

Let’s talk about a great tasting smooth red from Mexico.  Yes, it’s delicious, aromatic and you’ll wish you had an extra bottle to enjoy again later. Don’t let the vintage fool you, with a good hour of natural aeration you’ll be good to go with this wine.  It is a Cabernet Sauvignon 34%, Merlot 33%, Tempranillo 13% blend from the Valle de Parras region. The wine presents itself initially with some great color in soft light. Take a few sips, and you’ll be pleased with the subtle flavors of strawberries, cherries, plums and red ripe fruit that melds into a nice mellowness. Yes, it is quite fruit forward at first, but the soft tannins help tame that initial “sweet” sense.  It’s medium bodied with a nice middle feel.  This wine has a smooth finish toward the end to cap off a great wine tasting experience.  Yes, proof that there are great wines to be found in an unexpected places and quite possibly a wine region you're not very familiar with in the Americas.  Next, you may want to actually visit Casa Madero, which is one of the oldest wineries in the Americas and in Mexico.  Definitely enjoy this wine well! Cheers!

www.madero.com.mx

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2004; Light Cather Winery; Fort Worth, Texas

Whether you’ve waited 12 years to try this wine or you just forgot and rediscovered it makes no difference.  You’re in for one of those magnificent wine experiences.  The grapes for this wine started on their journey from Newsom Vineyards.  That alone tells you that quality fruit was used and this wine is off to a great start.  Add some good wine making and patience, and you have a great cabernet wine just waiting to be admired in the glass with aromas to be inhaled and finally sipped to be savored!   The aromas and flavors you get are still holding up well.  With big black cherries, berries, and plums, enticing you for more, you know you’ve opened the right bottle today. Surprisingly, the tannins are still holding up nicely,  so you might be able to keep this bottle around in a good cellar for a couple of more years.  Bring on that thick, fatty, and juicy steak to compliment the wine experience.  You deserved it for waiting this long!  Cheers!

www.lightcatcher.com

Armadillo Leap Winery – Fredericksburg, Texas

You may have seen some of these wine brands at some local wine stores before.  Armadillo Leap is a sister winery of Pedernales Cellars with more focus on experimenting with non-Texas grapes.  Founded by the Kuhlken-Osterberg family, they opened last December on the popular US. HWY 290 wine road.  They are located where the Pink Pig restaurant used to be. It’s a nice and spacious building with a back deck that has great views looking west towards Fredericksburg.  Back during our visit in January, they had six Armadillo Leap wines, two Chlo-Jack wines from Bending Branch and a Glogg.  The first Armadillo Leap wine on the list is a Sparkling Moscato.  Sourced with grapes from New Mexico, it has citrus aromas and pleasant semi-sweet feel that would pair well with appetizers and snacks. The 2013 Viognier/Roussanne blend is a good balance of these two varietals.  The 2013 Viognier single varietal is pretty smooth and would pair well with some local spicy dishes.  The ‘Red’ is a Tempranillo from Lubbock that is fairly smooth with a long finish.  The ‘BFF’ is a lovely Italian style blend.  The “secret blend” (perhaps some Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Dolcetto?) has very nice soft tannins and a pleasant long finish.  The last Armadillo Leap wine, Muscat, is a sweet dessert wine with strong citrus flavors.  The Chlo-Jack Rose’ is made from Servadou grapes.  It’s a good warm afternoon sipping treat.  The Chlo-Jack Red is a bold Petite Syrah for the dedicated red wine lover.  The Stonewall Glogg is one of the winery’s seasonal products that is fortified with 18% brandy.  It’s a great traditional spiced wine for winter and the holiday season.  Come check out this new place when you’re nearby and share a sip or two.

www.armadillosleap.com

I-1 NV; Location Wines; Italy

This is our first taste at Location Wines.  Location Wines are a series of wines crafted by Dave Phinney of Orin Swift Cellars to show the “best” characteristics of wines from various regions around the world. Our first look at one of these wines is an Italian wine labeled I - 1.  It is a blend of mostly Negroamaro, Nero d’Avola, and Barbera grapes.  This featured wine could definitely use a good hour or so of decanting to allow it to fully open up.  It was quite hot after the first pour. You’ll note aromas of raspberries and plums while being in awe of its deep purple to ruby red hue. You’ll taste some olives and blueberry, followed by some strong spicy notes with a bit of acidity. It is quite tannic with a very long lingering finish.  You may even pick up on some minerality towards the end. Overall the wine has a good character and a nice medium body.  Not bad for a featured wine to help us all gain a better sense of the terroir and wine making styles with different varietals of a particular country or region.  More location wines will be sampled and reported on this year! Saluti!

www.locationswine.com

Roussanne La Cuvee Principale Reserve - 2012; Calais Winery; Hye, Texas

Have you already googled this wine?  Are you still in disbelief that it was aged for 30 months? We'll we can attest that it is very true and if you are still in doubt, then the wonderful taste and aromas from this wine will make you a believer.  Leave it to Ben Calais to be able to age this Roussanne so long and have it turn out so well.  The deep golden color makes it look like a 10+ year old white, but that's the result of the small tight oak barrel method.  It may initially come across has high alcohol, but trust us it is not.  What you'll get are some complex notes of almonds to nutmeg which is quite a treat. Yes, for real!  Now prepare your palate for some interesting flavors.  Let's just lay it out a few samples - butter, goat cheese, caramel, truffle,....oh my!  And yes, that is some heat you feel with the finish.  Top that off with some acidity and pepperiness and wow!  Nice, eh?  For 30 months, you might already have preconditioned your brain to prepare for strong oak, but surprisingly it's light to moderate on the oak notes. Indeed,  Ben figured out the magic to bring forth different notes in these grapes. This is just an absolutely lovely Roussanne that any white wine connoisseur would love to have in their inventory.  If you're up for an interesting comparison, do try his 2012 Roussanne.  Of course, you might have to wait a while before we post our thoughts on that one,  but there's no stopping you from enjoying both now.    Drink well our wine fans and thoroughly enjoy this one as it is a real treat! Santé!

www.calaiswinery.com