FA 4 – NV; Locations Wine; California

Who does not like a good French Rosé? It just sooths the moment no matter what is going on around the world. Made from 100% Grenache, this dark color Rosé almost appears as a light red wine. Aromas of wildflowers are most pronounced at first. Take a few sips and you will discern the delightful notes of peaches, cantaloupe, followed by a touch of strawberry on the finish. This wine has good acidity and should pair nicely with traditional Rosé wine pairings. One of the best things about a Rosé is that it can be enjoyed with food or without and still be such a joy to drink. Have fun with this one if you have any in your cellar!

www.locationswine.com

Something Red – 2008; Wines of Dotson-Cervantes; Voca, Texas

This twelve-year-old blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot from the Texas Hill Country AVA has much to offer.  First, one must have patience and let this one breathe for at least a couple of hours.  Time spent on breathing does pay off! Your reward is a mature red wine blend that is rich in berries, plums, blackberries and complimented with bright acids. There is just a touch of vanilla and spice to round things out.  The tannins are firm, and the notes linger a bit on the finish. There is a great story behind the name ‘Something Red’, but you will have to take a trip to Voca to hear it yourself while tasting their other great wines. The trek to the winery is worth it when the tasting room is open as you might just have the place all to yourself like we did when we picked up our wine. We genuinely enjoyed a nice visit with owners Dotson and Martha at the winery. Enjoy well!

dotsoncervanteswines.com

Best Man – 2012; Truckee River Winery; Truckee, California

Sourced from famous Gary’s Vineyard of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, this bold Pinot Noir has all the rich deep flavors you want and more.  After a good hour or so of breathing, the best notes start to come alive. Robust fruity flavors are pronounced with a meld of cherry and caramel followed by additional berry notes.  You can discern the French oak and see how it complements the other flavors quite nicely without overpowering them. This is a fabulous wine to serve with some of your best cuts of meat or game yet is so lovely it can likewise serve as that elegant sipper when you want a good Pinot Noir to savor and enjoy. We were so pleased with this bottle; wish we would have brought more home. However, if you have any in your cellar, we can report that it is still aging well and you should enjoy!

www.truckeeriverwinery.com

Cuvée des Pierres – 2012; Calais Winery; Hye, Texas

Sourced from Newsom Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA, this Malbec is loaded with earthy aromas. This bottle has a lighter color for a Malbec, but pours just as beautifully. There is a smokiness to it to help liven up the mood. Your palate will initially sense some toasted sage. Then your taste buds will be wrapped in various taste sensations from olives to figs to raspberries. There is just a touch of tobacco and earthiness to round things out. This Malbec has some fairly light tannins, so it should be enjoyable by all.  Santé!

www.calaiswinery.com

Starsa – 2013; Tenuta del Portale; Potenza, Italy

Sourced from Basilicata IGT, this Old World Aglianico (ah-lee-ah-nee-ko...in case you need help pronouncing) is a great way to help calibrate your old-world palate. Just seven years, and yet there is still a deep rich garnet color to this wine. On the nose, you will discern mostly herbal and cherry notes.  For your first taste, you will be complimented with blackberry, oregano and a touch of licorice.  Bold…yes, earthy…. most definitely.  Moderate tannins will round out the finish of this dry wine’s profile.   There is still lots of character in this wine and if you still have bottles in your cellar or find some on the shelf, they should last for many years of enjoyment to come. Cin Cin!

www.tenutadelportale.com

Mandola Field Blend – 2014; William Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

This Italian style blend of Montepulciano 42%, Sangiovese 33%, Nero d'Avola 14%, Aglianico 11% from the Mandola Estate near Dripping Springs yields an impressive array of complexity and sensation on the palate. It opens a bit tart but softens up within 30 minutes or so. Once it has “breathed”, this magenta hued blend offers bold cherry aromas on the nose. Your palate will agree that the tasting profile is well balanced and structured. Good tannic structure is still there, and the medium bodied blend has a nice finish. Time has rounded out this blend quite nicely.  If you happen to have saved any of these bottles in your cellar, we recommend that you continue to hold on to them as this one will continue to evolve over time!  “Alla vostra salute’!”

www.williamchriswines.com

CA 3 – NV; Locations Wine; California

Wow!  This could certainly be a “best of” of what California white varietals has to offer.  Sourced from Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino, this blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne has quite a lot going for it.  From the start, there is a deep golden hue to admire with this lovely wine, emphasis on warm golden color. Then you get the beautiful lemon, citrus, and floral aromas luring you in for that first sip. Apricot, peaches and pears will dance around your palate. At the finish is a touch of creamy vanilla and that warm buttery note to seal the deal. This white wine blend has great acidity with bright flavors still intact.  There is still good complexity and a big wonderful full mouthfeel making this one of our favorite location wines produced. Cheers!

www.locationswine.com

Zinfandel – 2013; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

Not a common Texas grown fruit, but where it does grow well, it tastes wonderful. Sourced from Escondido Valley AVA, this red Zinfandel has aged quite well over the years. This wine can be dry at first but balances out nicely and you get flavors of raisin, fig, and a touch of tobacco. Even at 15.2% alcohol, the integration with the overall wine profile is very well done. Acids are moderate and it has a medium to light finish.  Quite a pleasant treat to have in your collection, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself saying “Zinfandel take me away!” We loved this one and if you still have any in your cellar, hope you will be enjoying them soon too! 

www.kuhlmancellars.com

Pinotage – 2011; Flat Creek Estate; Marble Falls, Texas

This South African varietal will certainly add a new twist to your cellar’s appeal. This rustic cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault provides those deep earthy notes while still offering bold fruit flavor. For Flat Creek’s 2011 vintage, not only has it aged quite well, but the earthy undertones and unique fruit flavors have complimented each other beautifully. Letting this bottle sit for a good hour to fully open will do justice for this full-bodied wine. It is rich in blueberry and cherry notes with just a touch of vanilla.  The tannins linger and linger and still entice. This bottle paired nicely with a baked chicken and root vegetables but will pair with any number of meats and cheeses. Of course, you can always just enjoy it by the glass all by itself and you will not be disappointed. Enjoy!

www.flatcreekestate.com