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