Merlot – 2004; Sterling Vineyards; Calistoga, California

Ahh… merlot…Ahh Sterling Vineyards.  What better marriage between the two! Time has mellowed out this Merlot quite nicely. It still packs some notes of vanilla, nutmeg, and dark cherry. You’ll pickup on a touch of jam and a touch of spice just to round things out. The acids have reduced over the years, but the wine still retains some good body and structure. There is still a tantalizing finish towards the end just to let you know this old guy still has some magic left to it. Open this bottle up for a good 90 minutes before enjoying and then drink well my wine friends!

www.sterlingvineyards.com

Pebble Rock Cellars – Texas Hill Country

Owners Robert and Lydia Nida are certainly no strangers to the Texas wine industry. Having hands on work experience at several area wineries, connections with Texas grape growers, running their own vino consulting business, and experiences from abroad including France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy has certainly served them well. The name of the winery has a real deep meaning to them on how they got engaged and Lydia’s love for penguins. Telling the story is one thing, but it is much better to hear it from them in person when you got to taste their great wines! Their passion for winemaking and how they want to see their new business run is quite inspiring. Not only are they sticking to their guns and keeping it a small production winery, but both Rob and Lydia see this as a unique opportunity to help give back and support the Texas winery community by fostering novel winemakers on the ins and out of the industry.  It’s a win-win for both the master and the apprentice and shows a serious and genuine commitment to the Texas wine world and helping to give back and mentor others to create an even better Texas wine industry. Current tastings are done at the Cicada Cellars location in Stonewall, Texas. Most fruit is sourced from the Texas High Pains AVA. We first tried the 2018 Chenin Blanc. Oh wow! If you are not already one, Rob’s latest creation will make a Chenin Blanc lover out of you.  It’s got a nice, crisp long-lasting finish that you expect from a great Chenin.  The second wine sampled was the 2018 Rosé of Sangiovese. Sourced from Nara Vineyards, it has great acids and a spectacular fruit forward profile. The winemakers also have a 2018 Table Red Growler. Their growler program allows wine club members a unique opportunity to refill wine from some custom batch wine jobs. The 2018 Growler was a Malbec and packed a full mouth feel with great tannins!  Available during our visit was a 2017 Sangiovese from Cellar Rat…another small batch wine produced by another winemaker in the Hill Country. Lastly, we tasted the 2015 O Inicio. This fortified Blanc du Bois is rich in flavor, smooth in sipping, and really demonstrates the true quality character of this varietal. The labels and rocks in their tasting room are the Petoskey rocks from Lake Michigan - a testament to their life experiences. They likewise feature some great artworks on the walls to admire to help compliment your wine tasting experience. These two rising star entrepreneurs have made a great new start with Pebble Rock. Their vision signifies a new wave of next generation winemaking for the Texas industry and we could not be more pleased with their work. Look forward to more great things from this couple!

www.pebblerockcellars.wine

NZ-6 – NV; Location Wines; New Zealand

Some countries have given a few wine grape varietals a distinct geographic location where they have made a substantial mark and have become a traditional varietal for that area. Sauvignon Blanc is one such grape New Zealand is well known for in the wine world. In fact, one might say the two are synonymous. To say New Zealand has made Sauvignon Blanc great again is a gross understatement. In fact, that country has made it outstanding! Although this grape is not originally from that country, the soils, climate, and people have worked with it and made it one of the most well-known and sought-after wines of the world. The people behind Location Wines have done justice to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  Sourced from old vines of Wairau, Awatere and Waihopai valleys, its lovely pale color is just the tip of the sensory journey as you relish this wine. Pour a glass and breathe in all that the wine has to offer which is heavy on the heady tropical aromas for this wine. Take a sip or two and you’ll be enticed by the lusciously overwhelming ripe fruit flavors of peach and passionfruit. There is an intense tart lemon finish with a touch of herbal notes.  Want to try the experience again?  Buy a bottle or two or three and repeat. Feel blessed that they are still for sale at your popular wine shop. There is still ample opportunity to enjoy!

www.locationswine.com

Red Blend – NV; Nolan Creek Winery; Belton, Texas

This red wine blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Mourvèdre is well balanced with lively acids. Chocolate, blackberries and vanilla are the dominate notes. It is full bodied and quite aromatic. It will leave your mouth coated with tannins for a satisfying finish. It is no wonder that this wine won the bronze medal at the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition. NV, but the wine log shows we picked up this bottle in April of 2014. A few years of aging has done well for this one. It is quite a pleaser and will catch the attention of many who enjoy drinking good red wines. Sadly, the winery is no more, but good memories can linger on longer than the tannins!

Albariño – 2013; Wedding Oak Winery; Burnet, Texas

This Spanish style white wine is equally pleasing to look at as it is to taste! Six years of aging has turned this Albariño into a richer more enticing color. There is still the essence of nectarine aroma, but most have tapered off over time. The flavors still are bold with bright lemon notes being the most pronounced.  We can see why this wine had numerous medal wins including Double Gold Medal and Best Albariño recognition at the 35^th annual San Francisco International Wine Competition in 2015. It is still quite a showcase in and of itself and pairs well with seafood dishes. Check out Wedding Oak’s newest tasting room in Burnet and enjoy their newest releases! Although this bottle is not currently being sold at the winery, there are other Albariño vintages that are, and we suggest you stop by and give this wine a try as you explore their tasting menu. Cheers!

www.weddingoakwinery.com

Esperanza Winery – Blanco, Texas

Blanco has many local, historic, and natural charms to this little town in the Hill Country.  Now, it has something people will talk about more when they go to Blanco…a charming winery! Opened since this past April, owner Judith Raven is no stranger to the Texas grape and wine world. For almost 20 years, she has been experimenting with grape growing in the Hill Country near Spring Branch.  The estate has about 6 acres of grape vines planted and is known for Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, and Merlot. The logo on the bottles, a raven, is a nod to the owner’s last name. When we visited, there were six wines featured on their tasting menu. The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Sierra Foothills AVA until the Texas Sauvignon Blanc grapes are ready. It is quite crisp with some distinct peach notes. The 2017 Hill Country Tannat is quite smooth with ripe strawberry and jam flavors. The 2017 Texas High Plains Tempranillo features more spice with a smooth finish. You’ll be delighted and quite happy with the 2014 Petite Syrah/Sangiovese blend.  Sourced from Reddy Vineyards, it is still drinking quite well. It is bold with nice tannic structure and is well balanced.  The last Esperanza wine is a sweet Orange Muscat. Source from the Texas High Plains, it hits the spot when temperatures heat up during the last three months of the year!  There is also a wine from Fly Gap that you can try called Cowboy Way.  It is for those who enjoy something bold and strong in a red.  We enjoyed visiting with Judith’s daughter and hearing how they came up with the name for the winery. The name Esperanza comes from Judith’s childhood and relates to many good things that came with that name on her life’s journey, starting with living on a street named such. Now, Blanco has more good things going for it with the addition of this winery in the area. Inside the tasting room one will find tables and assorted cozy areas to sit and sip and relax as they enjoy their visit. There are also tables and chairs outside to enjoy the lovely warm fall temperatures of late.  There is new artwork on the walls for sale by local artists making the space even more inviting and interesting. All in all, the space makes you feel right at home. Stop by and check it out for yourself. You just might find some new wines you enjoy and make sure to keep checking in from time to time, because there are more wines planned to be released.  Cheers!

www.esperanzavineyard.com

Texas Rosé – 2013; Lewis Wines; Johnson City, Texas

There is much to be said for Texas Rosés.  They seem to be that perfect pairing during the infamous Texas summer heat. This six-year-old Rosé is a testament that they can age well too. It’s a Mourvedre based Rosé that was sourced from Parr Vineyards in Mason County. The deep pink color has faded a bit to a mellower hue with age, but the wine is still quite bold. It’s medium acidity and herbaceous notes still bring out character in this wine. Flavors of plums and raspberries still dance around after the first sip or two. For 2019, The Texas summer has gone well into Fall! So, it is safe to say one can continue to keep sipping away with your favorite Lewis Rosé!

www.lewiswines.com

Pinot Noir – 2013; Faiveley; Nuits-Saint-Georges, France

Yes, there is greatness from Burgundy and this wine reflects but a fraction of what the region has to offer. The lovely bright red and semi translucent colors beguile and entice of what is to come. An hour-long decanting is a must, but your patience will be worth the wait. The intense earthy aroma married with slight herbal notes build the anticipation. From the first few sips, you taste cherry, watermelon, and some strawberry as the fruit notes unfold. The longer you sip and savor this one, it just continues to delight and evolve for this medium bodied red pleaser. The bold tannins on the finish are to die for as they round out the flavor profile! Surprisingly, it still comes across as a relatively young wine. This bottle can still cellar for a few more years and continue to develop. We look forward to seeing what greatness comes with continued aging! Santé!

www.domaine-faiveley.com

Fion Dearg – 2014; Torr Na Lochs; Burnet, Texas

This first release vintage from Torr Na Lochs demonstrates the merits in the ability to age and still retain wonderful qualities in Texas wines. Mourvedre and Carignan compliment this Tempranillo blend by rounding it out and adding a richer depth and structure. Cherries and leather with a touch of spice are what this five-year-old wine exhibits today. It’s smooth with light tannins. The touch of spice might surprise you after the first taste or two, but surprises are a good thing when you let a beautiful wine like this sit a while. There are no signs of turning in this wine and it could easily mature for a while longer. It is a fine example of why it is fun to buy multiple bottles and try them over a few years to see how the wines mature and evolve over time. Cheers!

www.torrnalochs.com

French Connections Wines – Hye, Texas

Nestled on top of one of the best views of the Pedernales Valley is an emerging top-notch Rhone style winery. Yes, a very top-notch one at that! Is this believable….yes. Can you go everyday….not yet. Will you need a bigger wine budget…most likely, but just think how happy your wine cellar will be!  Sheri and Pat Pattillo have teamed up with Ben Calais (Calais Winery) and Victoria Gimino to bring this newest shining star of Texas wineries to the Texas Hill Country. The wines are the only thing that exceeds the view that you get here, so let’s get right down to it.  There are seven wines to choose from for tasting. Many Calais fans will remember the Cinsault Rose’ Ben first made. This FCW 2018 release builds on that top quality rich and dry Rose’ that is sure to sell out quickly.  Their other 2018 Rose’ is Mourvedre based and is full of color and bit more bold than the Cinsault one. Yes, their dry whites are absolutely wonderful, and you will be fully immersed in the 2018 La Connection White. It’s a blend of Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier. This unique white blend was both barrel fermented AND barrel aged and shows absolute pleasant aromas and flavors.  The 2015 Roussanne Reserve was barrel fermented and aged for not 2, nor 3, but….yes, 4 years!! It’s amazing how Ben can do his magic.  The color and texture balance out quite well for a rich a full tasting experience.   You will be equally pleased with their reds. For starters, the 2017 La Connection Red is a 50/50 blend of Syrah and Mourvedre. Aged for two years in French oak, it has a great full mouth feel and beautiful lasting finish that just might make you fall in love with this and only this wine.  The 2017 Syrah is sourced from Newsome vineyards from their older low yielding vines.  You can definitely tell the richness and flavor that is packed into every sip.  Not to be outdone by the dry 2015 Roussanne, but there is also a 2015 port-style version. Fortified and aged for four years, the golden color plus the pleasant linger after-taste is full bliss in of itself!  Not to be outdone by their fine wines, but they also have delicious French eclairs and some superb camembert cheese plates to compliment your visit.   Greatness, right? Have fun and thoroughly enjoy this place on your next Texas Hill Country trip. Santé! 

www.frenchconnectionhye.com

Chardonnay Reserve – 2012; Sterling Vineyards; Calistoga, California

Yes, this is one of those great chardonnays that you may never wish to put down. Let’s just lay it all out  there for you: Deep golden color, nutmeg aroma, a touch of oak spice and buttery notes, plus, rich in caramel, citrus, and apple flavors. Want more? Well, we just might have to open a few more bottles over the next few years and add more tantalizing words! Did we mention anything about the great acids, mature balance, and that “aaahhhhhhhh” clean finish? Well, it is all there in this lovely white wine. This is a beautiful chardonnay that is perfect for sipping on its own or pairing with a favorite meal. Cheers, cheers, and more cheers!

www.sterlingvineyards.com

Shiraz – 2012; Red Wing Dove; Hamilton, Texas

Time has blessed this seven-year-old Shiraz with a great deal of complexity and smoothness. It is still quite fruit forward with hints of cherries and plums. The soft tannins on the palate leave a light lingering leathery note. After leaving the bottle uncorked a couple of hours, the profile does change, and one notes the blackberry fruit is more pronounced and the wine has a very smooth finish. This is a real meal pleaser yet also drinks nicely on its own.  Cheers!

www.redwingdove.com

Aglianico – 2012; Perissos Vineyards & Winery; Burnet, Texas

Heaven in a bottle…what could be more pleasing?  This seven-year-old wine sourced from the Perissos estate grown fruit in the Texas Hill Country AVA is maturing quite nicely. It still packs some great flavors of plums, ripe black fruit, lilac and a touch of leather. The acids on this medium bodied wine do a nice light dance around your palate. The savory tannins are long lasting and linger nicely on the finish. A few hours after you open this bottle, we found it easy to still be enjoying this wine! Enjoying a bottle left our souls and bodies feeling quite refreshed and spectacularly happy to have one of our favorite varietals age so nicely in the cellar. Do we have any more? Well yes, however we believe great wine like this deserves to be spread out over many years.  We look forward to enjoying another one in years to come. Enjoy!

www.perissosvineyards.com

7 Creeks Vineyard – Bertram, Texas

With soft openings since July, this tucked away jewel located north of Bertram is going to stand out as a top quality fine wine destination in the northern Texas Hill Country.  Jerry and Janis Horne’s path to a winery career began many years ago with a casual conversation and visits to California wineries. That passion and love for what they do has matured into a beautiful estate vineyard and wine tasting room. The vineyard itself has been a work-in-progress for that last two years.  They currently have about seven acres (hmm, seven again…) of grape vines with a mix of Mourvèdre , Tannat, Vermentino, Alicante Bouschet and Souzao planted.  Tasting some of the grapes from the Souzao vines was an ‘OH MY’ and then some experience! Bob Young and Ron Yates are some of the winemakers helping them out on their first start.  Current wine selections have grapes sourced from California and Texas.  For the whites, the 2017 Chardonnay (Lodi) is aged in stainless still and exhibits great minerality, good acids, and a clean crisp taste! For reds, 2017 Mourvedre is sourced from the Texas High Plains AVA and shows off some great earthy notes. If you like Zinfandel, then you’ll do somersaults over this Lodi 40+ year old-vine 2016 vintage. It smooths out quite well with lingering notes of jam.  Got Alicante Bouschet?  7 Creeks does with their 2017 High Plains release. The garnet color is wonderful to gaze at with a touch of leather aftertaste. Don’t forget to also try their Alta Mesa AVA sourced Souzao.  If you love red wines and appreciate great meat parings, the 2015 Souzao vintage will have you hooked!  Scheduled for release in the fall, will be a Tannat, a Muscat Blend, and a superb Syrah Rose’….worth a return trip! And what’s a quality wine tasting with the bubbles? The 2014 Cuvée Blanc de Blanc is sourced from Lodi Chardonnay and made in the “Méthode Champenoise” way.  You can taste the greatness in every bubble! With some nice estate homes being built nearby, as well as, proximity to the booming Liberty Hill area, wine traffic will not be a problem here.  Stop by and enjoy their great hospitality!

www.7creeksvineyard.com

Glory – NV; Messina Hof; Bryan, Texas

Glory Mistella Late Harvest Moscato…nice long name and a nice lingering sensation of flavors!  Magic in a bottle is perhaps the best way to describe this delicious sweet Moscato wine.  Sweet, yet light bodied and a touch of crisp texture. The luscious aromas of fresh apricot and pear are quite enticing on the nose. A few sips of this, and your hellacious summer heat will be well tempered. It is a delightful wine to serve chilled and enjoy when it is hot outside as it is such a refreshing sipper during the glory days of summer. This is a fantastic wine to enjoy on its own, or to serve with cheese, dessert, as dessert or even to enjoy with brunch. Truly, no bad time for this one. Grab a bottle and enjoy its full glory!

www.messinahof.com

Roussanne – 2014; Torr Na Lochs; Burnet, Texas

Going back the first wines produced by a winery is always a special treat. Sourced from the Oswald Family Vineyards in the Texas High Plains AVA, this five-year-old Roussanne can still hold its own.  Made in stainless steel, the deep lemon color is a testament to how enduring this wine is and its structure.  There is still some good acidity to it in addition to the hallmark buttery notes associated with wines from this varietal.  Kiwi flavors are the strongest impressions you’ll get on your palate. It pairs well with a variety of seafood, vegetarian and poultry dishes and is equally enjoyable on its own. This wine could still cellar nicely for a few more years. Well done Torr Na Lochs on this one. Cheers!

www.torrnalochs.com

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2007; Woodrose Winery; Stonewall, Texas

What has unfolded in this 12-year-old wine is nothing short of great wine sensations! The initial pour is somewhat clear like a chianti style wine, but the bouquet is of blackberries and raspberries with a touch of smokiness. The moderate acids lead to a lingering spice sensation for this medium bodied and soft tannin treat.  The wine smooths out quite well after an hour for a rich dessert like feel. A meal in a bottle could be one way to describe the experience, but certainly don’t pass up a good steak for pairing with this one. Still drinking nicely if you have any bottles in your cellar. Enjoy well!

www.woodrosewinery.com

Longhorn Cellars - Fredericksburg, TX

Owners Dr. Michael and Deanna Dickey are no strangers to wine.  Having spent some quality time in Napa Valley, the dream of having a vineyard and winery of their own was something they turned into reality. Mike Dickey completed courses with the Texas Tech Enology program and along with the guidance of Dr. Bob Young of Bending Branch, he has been producing his own wines. Located at the former location of Rancho Ponte, the Dickey’s have breathed new life into this place with their own inside décor and outside vineyard. In addition to their estate vineyard, they also have vineyards near Hye and Pontotoc for sourcing Texas Hill Country AVA grapes.  Since opening just over a year ago, Mike and Deanna started serving some Bending Branch wines and wines made from California grapes, they have been slowly making the transition to Texas High Plains AVA sourced grapes and are now gearing up for more Hill Country sourced wines. They have a few flight selections to choose from currently on their menu. For this visited, we opted for the mixed flight, featuring a little bit of everything! For the whites, we started with the 2017 Viognier. Sourced from the Texas High Plains of Reddy Vineyards, this aromatic wine is fresh with some buttery notes and bright acids.  We moved on to the 2018 Twilight Rosé. A blend of 92% Mourvedré and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon from Pontotoc, this off-dry Rosé is quite refreshing for the infamous hot summer Texas days!  For the reds, we sampled the NV Tannat which is a product of the Russian River Valley. This red was a rich wine with a lovely bouquet and a fine smoky finish!  The NV Texas High Plains Syrah has 25% Petite Syrah added to it to help round out that leathery, smoky, and tantalizing full mouth feel. Lastly, we enjoyed the 2014 Carlito's Cuvée. A blend of Souzao, Aglianico, Montepulciano, and Petite Syrah. This California sourced wine has great balance, moderate acidity, and a relatively smooth finish.  We also got to sip the 2018 Viognier, as well.  This release is Texas Hill Country sourced and its profile is completely different than that of the High Plains Viognier. A great treat to test “battle of the Viogniers”!   They are also working on a Tempranillo they plan to release in the future, so it is worth your valuable wine stopping time to stop by and taste not only what is currently on the menu but see if anything new has been released yet.  There are additionally plans for a great blend from the Mourvedre, Malbec and Merlot from their estate vineyard. This newest Texas Hill Country boutique winery is a fine addition to the area, and we look forward to stopping by again in the future to see how their menu and wines continue to evolve. The servers are also quite knowledgeable on wine and will provide quality professional service during your tasting session. They are off to a great start in their initial year. Cheers!

www.longhorncellars.com

Merlot – 2003; Pheasant Ridge Winery; Lubbock, Texas

Houston, we have a winner!  We opened this bottle on the 50^th anniversary of the moon landing. Like the moon landing anniversary, it was a great experience to savor this vintage after so many years. Age may have taken a toll on the color, but the fruit profile is well intact for this 16-year-old wine.  You want some background light for the first clear ruby color pour – great special effects!   There is a little bit of alcohol heat but dissipates over time. Some subtle black cherry notes remain, and the finish is pleasantly smooth. This Texas Merlot still holds some good depth yet has picked up some dustiness in its aging and will likely cellar for a few more years. The only question is…why didn’t we get a case?

www.pheasantridgewinery.com

Assyrtiko – 2014; Sigalas Santorini; Santorini, Greece

Behold this great Greek wine!  The deep blond color with a tinge of green is just the beginning of your tantalizing experience. Citrus notes are quite pronounced on the nose. Take your time on the first sip, indulge in kiwi and melon flavors that dazzle your taste buds. The acids are a bit strong, but that just ensures you the experience is real. You will also discern a slight effervescence that just adds to the character and makes this wine more interesting. There is a long refreshing and tingling honey note that lingers and is joined with distinct minerality on the finish.  A great treat for hot summer days and nights. This is refreshing and pairs nicely with fresh salads or dish dishes. 

www.sigalas-wine.com

Mission Cabernet Sauvignon – 2007; Fall Creek Vineyards; Tow, Texas

The label designation, Mission San Antonio De Valero, gives reference to the original name of the Alamo in San Antonio.  It’s a reflection of the owner’s dedication to Texas and its history and it features a fantastic rendition of the Alamo on the label. The wine, for its age, has held up nicely. Spices, dark berries, and a bit of cedar are what still lingers in this dry red wine. This wine improves greatly over time as it begins to breathe, and we noted it was still lovely after a few hours. This medium bodied red has moderate tannins and a nice fine finish. A nice find in our wine cellar and happy to share that is has aged well. Cheers!

www.fcv.com

Naca Valley Vineyard – Nacogdoches, Texas

What to do with 62 acres of family land in East Texas? How about a vineyard and winery!  Sure, you could do some timber cutting, but it’s kind of hard to make wine out of pinecones. Buzz and Wanda Mouton along with their son Scott and his wife Chelsea have put their heart and a lot of hard work into building this small family business. What originally started out as a car shop is a now a full-blown tasting room and winery. Buzz has been making wines since his “younger” days and has won some awards at TWGGA and in local wine competitions. The Mouton’s are in their third year of production and the tasting room has been opened for two years.  It’s a small batch operation of about 1000 cases per year. Most grapes are sourced from the Texas High Plains and their fruit wine comes from East Texas. The repurposed desk by Buzz’s grandmother makes for an excellent tasting bar and adds to the unique decor and character of their custom tasting room.  There are three flights of two, four, or six wines to choose from on their menu.  For the whites, we enjoyed the 2015 Southern Belle which is an off-dry Roussanne/Muscat Canelli blend with excellent flavors of apricot and orange. The grapes for the 2018 Blanc du Bois were sourced from Henderson County.  Its off-dry texture has an enticing citrus nose and is a bit crisp, making if quite refreshing on a hot afternoon. The 2017 Riesling is semi sweet with strong apple and peach flavors. The last white we sampled was the 2017 Stellar, an Orange Muscat/Muscat Canelli blend which was a fantastic sweet treat when chilled!  We tried their 2018 Bad Day Rosé, featuring Black Spanish grapes sourced from Henderson county. It made for a lovely refreshing wine that helps give Black Spanish grapes a reputable name. For the reds, we sipped on the 2016 Primitivo which was a full-bodied wine with moderate tannins. We really enjoyed the 2017 Tempranillo, which was a bold tannic Tempranillo that would pair nicely with that famous East Texas BBQ!  Lastly, we tasted the 2017 Brick Street Red with its sweet and jammy notes making it a great stand-alone evening wine.  Some future releases the winery is planning include another blueberry wine, (which was sadly sold out by the time we arrived), sourced from Angelina County, and a possible “port” style wine!  The excellent artwork on the wine labels are done by family members and close friends and are just one more testament to the family focus of this business. In addition to the current wine tasting room and pavilion, there are dreams of expansion that include future cabins and hiking trails. This place can be quite packed during the Spring and Fall and we can see why.  We can’t wait to check on their progress on a future visit and encourage you to stop by and visit.  This will be a true gem to Nacogdoches and The East Texas area.

www.nacavalley.com

Cold Soil White – NV; Terhune Orchards; Princeton, New Jersey

Got Thai food?  This delicious white blend is a great compliment to some good spicy dishes.  This blend of Vidal Blanc and Muscat has a touch of sweetness and loads of honeysuckle with a hint of pear on the nose. With pear and apple notes on the palate and a medium body, this smooth and delightful white will give you loads of satisfaction when paired with spicier dishes or will provide thirst quenching delight on a hot summer day when served chilled and enjoyed on its own. Either way, whether paired with food or enjoyed as is, we think you will find this one quite a nice treat on a hot afternoon or evening. A lovely wine to share with friends and neighbors.

www.terhuneorchards.com

9-year Anniversary!

Time flies when you’re enjoying wine tastings, winery visits and vineyards! Our collection grows, the number of wineries to visit continues to grow that much longer, and the space required to store all those pictures continues to expand as well. Growth is a good thing, right?  We have had some great adventures and some lovely wines that have been featured this past year. It has been a fun adventure making wonderful wine friends along and way and developing sincere appreciation for our wine producing friends in the industry, from wine maker to vineyard worker, they all play such an important part along with Mother Nature in producing the product. As we look back across the years it has been sad to see some wineries we enjoyed, close for various reasons and others get sold so new owners could take the reins and begin carving out their space. All that and more is just leading up to our 10-year wine blog anniversary next year. Whew! We are pretty sure that will necessitate something big to do...find out more in the year ahead. Thank you for joining us and following us on this wonderful and amazing little journey through time and many wonderful wines and wineries. Cheers!!

Meritage – NV; Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard; Saint Jo, Texas

We got this non-vintage red blend back in July of 2012.  We’re happy to say that it has held up quite well over the years. It’s a blend of 65% Carmenere (New Mexico sourced) and 35% Merlot (Texas).  From the initial pour, you see its deep red color is still holding up nicely. The fruit forward blackberry aromas are still intact, though not as strong as they were when this vintage was younger. This wine packs a moderate tannin finish and still leaves some spice and raspberry flavors to savor.  Did we mention this was one of the winery’s first releases?  Not bad at all. Worth the trip to north Texas to visit and explore what they had on their wine list. Worth a repeat visit in the future!

www.blueostrich.net

Sangiovese – 2012; Perissos Vineyard and Winery; Burnet, Texas

Behold greatness!  If you love Sangiovese wines, then you must have this bottle! As you savor this wine with your favorite cheese treat, you cannot help but enjoy the moment. You will most certainly gaze into the light red colors and savor those enticing aromas of this beautifully aged Texas Sangiovese, sourced from Twin T Vineyards in the Texas High Plains AVA.  Mesmerized, yes… addicted…that comes later. However, as soon as you can finally avert your eyes from admiring your glass, the bouquet seduces you again. Hours later, if the bottle lasts that long, you still enjoy the scents of black cherries, vanilla and plums. Other fruit notes may still be present, but those are the “strongest survivors” in this wine.  This Texas Sangiovese has mellowed nicely over the last several years, yet still holds some lovely earthiness.  So, what are you waiting for?  Finish the bottle and have another.  You did buy a case, didn’t you?  Cheers!!

www.perissosvineyards.com

Cork House Winery – Waxahachie, Texas

In historic downtown Waxahachie, greatness has arrived in the form of … a winery! Owners Doug and Karla Gibson opened Cork House Winery about two years ago as a retirement project.  Since then, they have worked to create this great addition to the downtown Waxahachie scene.  They have really spruced up this site by adding their own décor themes while leaving the exposed bricks that still pay homage to the historic downtown area. You can still see the old tire and lube place name on the bricks by the tasting bar and front window area. Karla is no stranger to winemaking as she had previously been making “amateur” wines beforehand and has won a few awards.  Their Texas wines are sourced from Texas High Plains fruit near Brownfield. They currently have just over two dozen wines, so there should surely be something to suit everyone’s taste.  For the whites, we sampled the Cheek-to-Cheek. This Texas Roussanne has a lovely bouquet or apricots with peach and pear on the palate. The Midnight sun is an off-dry Rosé that is crisp with subtle and smooth strawberry notes. For the red wines, we had to try the Pinot Noir.  It was soft, very smooth and easy to drink.  The Rowdy Texas is their Malbec wine that features leather and coffee notes and it is a heavy one crafted for those who love robust reds. The Red Beard, a classic Bordeaux style red wine blend, featured Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc and won a Silver medal in the Houston livestock show. We found it to be very well balanced with light tannins and a fine lasting finish. It was our favorite among those we sampled. The GSM version is called Moonlight and has a touch of Cinsault added to the blend, with notes of plum and raspberry that stand out with a touch of smokiness. Finally, we ended off with Casanova - a Cabernet/Zinfandel blend that was aged in bourbon barrel that burst with vanilla and cameral flavors. We truly enjoyed this find and delight in seeing couples successfully shift into the winery business as they continue their journey and add to their story and life’s adventures.  This winery is a testament to their journey and a welcomed addition to Waxahachie. Cheers!

www.corkhousewinery.com

14-18h Rosé – 2014; Gaia Wines; Maroussi, Greece

Cast off that screw cap and pour yourself a glass of this elegant Greek Rosé.  Made from the Agiorgitiko grape, this dry Rosé has a very deep rose color with some fruit forward aromas. It’s cherry and strawberry flavors are quite enticing for this wine with medium acidity. There is some tanginess initially which smooths out towards the finish. The “14-18h” in the name refers to the number of hours the skin is in contact with the juice using cold maceration techniques.  Quite a lovely Rosé that should balance out any spicy dish.

www.gaiawines.gr

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2004; Pillar Bluff Vineyards; Lampasas, Texas

What were you doing in 2004?  Waiting for this posting?  Well then, patience has paid off!  This 14-year-old Cabernet has aged well.  First, you will notice some fantastic custom artwork on the label. Second, you get the lovely aged ruby color of this beautiful red wine as you pour the first glass. Third, you wait a while longer before trying it because if you’ve waited this long to open it, you can wait another hour for it to “oxygenate”.  Forth, with the glass if ready, you take a big breath to inhale those well-preserved fruit aromas.  “Still good” says the nose.  Fifth, you finally take that first taste and savor its smoothness, the blackberry and blueberry notes and the well-balanced acids. Finally, you embrace your inner “ahhh” afterward when you realize how delightful that was. Pour another glass and do it all over again!  This red wine will make you a believer in Texas aged wines. Salute!

www.pillarbluff.com

Rosé Sec – 2014; Narrow Path Winery; Stonewall, Texas

First impressions are important, and this Rosé makes a superb one! This wine was one of the first releases for Narrow Path. It is 100% estate grown fruit from Fredericksburg and is a blend of 80% Merlot, 20% Pinot Gris.  The ever so elegant red berry aromas shine through on this one providing an enticing bouquet on the nose. The fruit flavors still balance out well for its age and there is a slight residual sugar to this one that just adds to the beauty of this wine.  A nice early release that demonstrates the care and love that went into the production. Sante’!

www.narrowpathwinery.com

Farmhouse Vineyard – Johnson City, Texas

Owners Nicholas and Katy Jane Seaton and Anthony and Traci Furgeson helped Farmhouse Vineyard realize its next natural step in its evolution, which is making wine! Their 122-acre vineyard is located near Brownfield in Texas High Plains AVA. With 16 plus varietals, it has been the grape source for many well-established Texas wineries that we have all come to know and love. We were fortunate to visit their “new-new” location in Johnson City at their house on highway 290. The previous location was at a trailer located near the 290 Vinery. The newest locale is right on Main street in a renovated classic home. Location, location, location is everything to a business and this place is spot on!  The owners do have plans to relocate the trailer to this new site soon.

Their expanded tasting menu consists of two flights, one has the full range of sparkling to dessert wines and the other focuses on dry Rosé, Whites, and Reds. As one of the first vineyards that helped establish Malvasia Bianca as a viable Texas grape, they have made a sparkling version called Boyfriend. The 2017 vintage has lemon grass and apricot notes that just “bubble” all over your palate. Their 2017 Revolution is a dry Rosé sparkling made from Counoise. With strong raspberry notes, it is crisp with a nice finish making this wine quite enjoyable on warm Texas days. For the 2017 Bloom Rosé, you get to enjoy a 100% Mourvedre Rosé that is light and refreshing with plenty of strawberry and melon notes. You will be in for a treat with their Marché. Made from a blend of Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Tempranillo, this Saignee style wine may be different than most Rosé’s you’ve tried, but it is equally pleasing for the upcoming hot summer. There is a lovely red blend called, Ramble on which is a melding of Tempranillo, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. It is smooth and fruit forward and we believe most red wine lovers will readily enjoy. Wine tasting at Farmhouse, will also provide you with a rare opportunity and special treat!  In their selection is one of Tim Drake’s legendary wines called Assistant. This House of Drake greatness blends 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 9% Syrah sourced from Columbia Valley AVA in Washington.  It is a superb dry red wine blend with a beautiful fruit finish that will leave you craving for more!  Their semi-sweet dry white called Housewife is a Malvasia Bianca with nice melon and pear notes with just enough sweetness to boot. Lastly, you will get to enjoy their 2017 Sweet. This blend of Malvasia Bianca and Orange Muscat combines a bit of citrus and vanilla notes for something quite enjoyable and their sweetest dessert style wine.

If you have visited the trailer before, now you have a new excuse to revisit and enjoy their expanded wine selection.  The staff and owners are quite friendly and will make you feel very comfortable as they chat with you about the wines. We strongly encourage you to stop in and visit their new location and wish them well as they kick off this new phase in their journey.

www.farmhousevineyard.com

Tannat – 2012; Santiago Queirolo; Lima, Peru

This Intipalka line of wines is quite a pleaser for a single varietal Tannat wine. The deep garnet hue on the initial pour is quite an eye catcher! The aroma can be complex for this Ica Valley sourced grape, but you can distinguish both a little balsamic and cocoa note. The flavors of blackberries and herbs are pronounced, and the finish satisfies with balanced tannins. Yes, Tannat has found another home for itself and deserves to stand out for the quality wine grape that it is. Cheers!!

www.santiagoqueirolo.com

Hula o Maui – NV; Maui Wines; Kula, Hawaii

Some of your favorite brut quality champagnes just might have to take a backseat to this pineapple sparkling. Say, what?  Seriously folks! This specialty fruit wine is made in the Traditional Méthode Champenoise. Yes, it is legit!  This long painstaking process along with top quality Maui Gold Pineapple yields a brut quality sparkling that just might be your new go-to celebration bubbly.  It has a light pale-yellow color with tiny bubbles and a nice crisp refreshing taste to go along with the long-lasting effervescence. The pineapple notes are mild yet distinct on the nose and give this an awesome tropical aroma that does not overwhelm. The balance between pineapple flavors and acidity is perfect. Someone did their homework and paid close attention to detail with this luscious creation. This full-bodied sparkling will be a for sure crowd pleaser at your next party. You can order bottles directly from the winery in Maui and they can ship to Texas or wherever you may wish. We have done so, and they arrived in fine fashion without issue - highly recommend you give them a try.  Cheers and happy rest of this year to you and yours!

www.mauiwine.com

Vermentino – 2011; Christoval Vineyards, Christoval, Texas

One of the first white wines to be released by this winery, exhibits some unique and pleasant characteristics after lying around the cellar for a while. First, the color seems to have changed little, which was a pleasant surprise. One would expect a deepening for such a long aging white wine.  Second, the flavors and aromas are not of your typical Vermentino. There are pronounced apple notes and lingering butter notes.  The wine still maintains some citrus notes, but the apple fruit notes tend to dominate.  You would have likely guessed the wrong varietal in a blind tasting session though as something more along the lines of a chardonnay potentially comes to mind with the buttery finish. Interesting to try a Vermentino that has aged this long. The overall tasting profile is still quite good. Sip well!

www.christovalvineyards.com

Red House Winery – Nacogdoches, Texas

The oldest town in Texas has many legends and stories to tell.  Who would have thought back in 1779 that Nacogdoches and the surrounding east Texas region would one day be leading the charge of some great wines for the area?  Welcome to the 21^st century!  Located in a renovated 120-year old building in the historic downtown area is a new chapter of storytelling for Nacogdoches, Red House Winery.  Owners Jacob and Rikki Leigh Willoughby began the winery back in 2015.  Opened last May, the tasting room offers visitors the opportunity to experience some fantastic quality wines, art work, and friendly people that add to this city’s natural charm. Mike Henry from Wedding Oak Winery has been providing invaluable mentoring to the Willoughby’s. With the famous Penny Adams providing top notch winemaking for them, they have certainly gotten off to a great start! Currently, Red House Winery does small productions of about 1500 cases.  Their tasting menu is divided into flights of Red, White, and New Releases.  For the whites, we first tried the 2018 Roussanne.  The floral aromas are quite enticing and it’s a blend of Roussanne and Riesling!  The 2018 Floral Blanc is a Trebbiano/Vermentino blend with some slight residual sugar.  It exhibits notes of the best of both grapes and when chilled makes for a great summer time sipper. For the 2016 vintage of 1779, this is a blend of 40% Orange Muscat, 40% Riesling, and 21% Muscat Canelli. This would be a great pairing for some spicy East Texas chili! The last white we tried was the 2016 Sweet Azalea.  This raspberry hued Riesling/Muscat/Tempranillio blend is fabulous on its own or as an after-dinner sweet wine.  For the reds, we started out with the 2017 Tempranillo.  A little tight at first, but once it begins to open you know this will be a great pairing for a fine ribeye.  The 2016 Sangiovese is a shining star in their lineup.  With a touch of Touriga Nacional, Dolcetto, and Cabernet Sauvignon, its rich and earthy texture is to die for!  The 2016 Rebellion Red is a blend of 55% Montepulciano and 45% Dolcetto. This well-balanced red blend expresses itself well with lovely aromas and flavors.  Finally, you’ll be in for another stellar treat with their dry 2018 Rosato di Sangiovese. Mixed in with 10% Cinsault grape, this will make you a believer in the beauty of Texas Rose’s.  If you end up being a wine club member, the owners have established a very spacious and relaxing lounge area in the back for you to sip and enjoy your wine in style. This a great addition to downtown Nacogdoches and we look forward to more stops in our future wine treks out here! When in the area, do stop in and visit and enjoy their wines, we think you will be very pleased.

www.redhousewinery.com

Tannat – 2010; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

Hello Tannat!  If you are a fan of the old-world wines, you might be thinking blending.  If you are into new world wine, then yes…it does make for a great single varietal wine.  Sourced from Bella Collina Vineyards in California, its earthy and rich texture is to die for. Dark rich color, yes, but that is just part of the “visual effects” as you enjoy the experience of tasting this wine. Let it breathe for about an hour or so and the characters of this Tannat wine really reveal themselves well. You will get blackberry and cherry notes complimented by a bit of tobacco and a touch of cinnamon. It has an elegant and lingering finish that will surely entice you to keep coming back for more.  Age worthy? Most definitely!  Meat pairing?  Bring on that fatty ribeye and chow down.  This wine is just additional proof that the Elysium fields do exist on earth. Cheers!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

Cloud Nine – The Weimary; Weimar, Texas

If you’re happy and you know it, pop a bubbly!  It does help set the mood for the event or festivities. Each bottle at this winery displayed a photo of one of the owner’s relatives along with a great story behind the photo to share on their labels.  That added a unique opportunity to get to know the family on a more personal level. This bottle has a photo of the owner’s grandparents on their wedding day. The lovely photo of the happy couple is equally matched by the fabulously sweet and delightfully playful bubbles that still hold their own in creating all the glory of this sparkling’s sensation. This white bubbly blend is a semi-sweet with hints of honey, citrus, banana, and melon.  It’s a great spring time treat for weddings, birthdays, wildflower blooms, and more.  To our dismay, this winery has since closed its doors for good since our visit. We will reminisce of that wonderful afternoon visit we had with them in 2015 and raise a glass to the Weimary owners as well as the lovely family elders in the happy wedding photo all those years ago. We salute all the effort and love that went into creating this wonderful bottle for us to sip and enjoy today. We will definitely savor every bubble and sip. Cheers!

www.weimary.com

Bluebonnet Blush – 2010; Spicewood Vineyards; Spicewood, Texas

You might slap yourself crazy for keeping this one so long, but under ideal conditions and a whole lot of luck, you just might get a great treat when you open the bottle to find it is still holding up well. So, what’s it like after sitting around lost in the cellar for so long?  It still maintains a smooth mouthfeel and well-balanced texture. The aroma is still nice. On the palate, you discern apricot notes and a hint of spiciness, not to be confused with acidity.  There is just a touch of sweetness to this lovely wine. Not a bad pairing with a light springtime dish or fruit dessert. A wonderful wine back in the day and today. Cheers!

www.spicewoodvineyards.com

Murphy Creek Cellars – Mason, Texas

Ah… Mason.  If you haven’t been here, you should make a trip…especially during October so you can enjoy Hallowine, but that’s another story! Owner Lisa Brooks opened this new wine shop in October of 2017.  It features just over 40 different Texas wineries. The slower pace of Mason has suited Lisa well and her store reflects that.  In addition to the wines, there is great food to try and some great local art work, pottery, and wine accessories and home entertaining items. This female business leader in Mason has been making great strides in promoting Texas wines and growing a local business and a new wine brand.  In addition to featuring Texas wines, Lisa has three wines of her own!  The names on the wines reflect her dogs’ names.  The 2015 Jessie is a blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Tempranillo and 10% Barbera. Sourced from Robert Clay Vineyards in Mason County, this red blend has a full mouth feel of chocolate, blackberries and a nice leather finish. The 2015 Murphy’s Merlot also sourced from Robert Clay Vineyards shines with big cherry notes and an extra-long dry finish. This Merlot is a full-bodied red wine that is a nice treat. The first two reds were made by Dan McLaughlin. The latest release, 2017 Katie’s Miscela, was sourced primarily from Perissos Vineyards.  It’s a blend of 40% Aglianico, 30% Tempranillo, 15% Petit Syrah, 8% Syrah, and 7% Malbec.  It is well balanced, has good character, very bright fruit and a bright cherry finish.  This red wine trio marks a great start to Lisa’s entry into the Texas wine business. The shop on the Mason square is very Texas chic and the decor fits right in. If you like great quality and a small town feel all in one, then this is your stop!  Swing by and do a tasting then sit and enjoy a glass inside or outside at one of the quaint bistro tables. Cheers!

www.murphycreekcellars.com