EXP – 2015; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

EXP, short for experimental, is a field blend of a few different varietals that have were sourced from the Cobb Family Vineyard of the Fredericksburg AVA. The notes do seem to have changed a bit since its initial release. We got lots of raspberry and strawberry notes on the nose after the first pour.  This was followed by big cherry flavors with just a hint of herbaceous notes. This unique red blend has smoothed out a bit yet still retains a lot of its original character. A palate pleaser and an easy red to enjoy paired with a nice meal or on its own. It is always fascinating to see how the notes evolve over the years. If you still happen to have any bottles in your wine cellar, this is drinking deliciously right now. Enjoy!

www.kuhlmancellars.com

Roussanne Reserve – 2015; French Connection Wines; Hye Texas

Aged in French oak for four years (yes, four years!), this Texas High Plains sourced fruit just explodes with complex aromas and a rich mouth feel. Its deep golden color is a nod to time and patience that has blessed this white wine.  Floral notes of honeysuckle and ginger will dominate the senses on the nose.  All the right flavors will then please your palate with vanilla and apricot. You may also discern some honey flavors, as well. The long fabulous finish is to die for and you will be surprised by the delicate light toasted pecan finish that is has.  This is NOT your regular or average Roussanne wine, as the oak aging for this one, has imparted unique characteristics to your usual Roussanne varietal notes. Do not be fooled by the ‘Plain Jane’ label on this bottle either, as this label is straight forward yet provides extra special character to this lovely bottle of wine.  At 15.6% alcohol, it will certainly extend that happy sipping mood. Santé!

www.frenchconnectionhye.com

Petite Sirah - 2014; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

Great Petite Sirah wines are sought after for their lush, rich, and addicting flavors.  This Paso Robles AVA sourced wine meets that standard and then some.  It’s rich in flavor, bold in texture, and smooth with a long-lasting pleasant finish. Having 40+ year old vines to produce this grape is certainly a big plus. The deep dark color is complimented by intense aromas of jam and vanilla.  Blackberries will surround your palate followed by a touch of coffee.  The finish is long and mouth smacking worthy. A world class wine for just six years old. This one is still “young” and will have no issue keeping some of these bottles in your cellar for many years to come as they are age worthy.  Such a delight to enjoy now, yet also looking forward to trying additional bottles in the future to see how this one continues to evolve. Enjoy well dear wine friends!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

Dandy Rosé – 2018; Wine for the People; Texas

Founder Rae Wilson has certainly been pushing the boundaries at bringing quality Texas wines to the people at affordable prices. This Dandy Rosé brand of wine certainly hits that mark. The vibrant watermelon pink hue is certainly an eye pleaser and is complimented by the fruit forward aromas of strawberry.  This bottle deserves to be served chilled for that refreshing and enhanced the note experience. Your palate will discern favors of cherry, some lemon, and a bit of candy apple on the finish.  You will see that there is just a little bit of sediment after you finish that refreshing glass of wine, but that is just the extra vitamins to help keep you healthy and drinking more.  When the temperatures are blistering over 100 degrees with no end in sight, you know where to go to cool off!  Reach for the Dandy Rosé, it is a crowd pleaser. Cheers!

www.wineforthepeople.com

Montepulciano – 2015; Ab Astris Winery; Stonewall, Texas

Luscious, enticing, and pleasing…. all the best you want in a great Montepulciano wine is found in this one!  This full-bodied red wine is sourced from Reddy Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA. The lovely dark color is a delight to see. Even at five years old, this Texas red is still quite fruit forward with rich plums and all the traditional tasting notes and flavor you love in a Montepulciano wine. It has well balanced acidity and moderate tannins that compliment this classic Italian varietal.  You will surely enjoy the flavors of chocolate, tobacco, and a touch of that essential earthiness that make this one a delight.  The finish is quite excellent, as well.  An outstanding impression is achieved with this bottle which was one of the winery’s first releases. It is on-par with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines, as well! Cin Cin!

www.abastriswinery.com

Flora – 2016; Silver Spur Winery; Hico, Texas

Small boutique wineries can yield many pleasant and tasty surprises.  The Flora wine produced by Silver Spur Winery is certainly one of those fun finds and quality eye, nose, and palate pleasers!  The wine is named after their grandmother, Flora Belle.  From what we remembered on our first visit there, this wine certainly expressed much of what was shared about this family matriarch.  Sourced from the Russian River Valley AVA, this double gold winner from the 2018-19 Texas International Wine Competition holds nothing back. Yes, we said double gold winner! The full-bodied Syrah has a deep opaque color that packs lots of those bold berry notes you treasure. There are some tantalizing acids that round out this wine on the palate with a touch of vanilla and leather to boot. There is also a lovely clean silky finish that begs you for just one more sip. Do not keep your glass empty, because it makes a great companion to many meaty dishes, charcuterie, cheese plates, or just a nice wine to enjoy as you unwind at the end of the day. We look forward to heading back to visit again soon to see how things have grown and evolved since our first visit. Cheers!

www.silverspurwinery.com

Gratis Red Blend – 2015; Perissos Vineyard & Winery; Burnet, Texas

This special ‘Gratis’ red wine release was an extra special treat to not only long-time wine club members, but as a way of thanking those you have helped people in times of need.  Knowing what is in this blend is not as important as enjoying the fruits of labor of this family’s winery business. This lovely red blend has a deep red hue, coupled with bold fruit aromas that delight and tantalize the palate with every sip. Well balanced and hitting every note from tip-to-top, this one of a kind release is certainly a keeper and pleaser. We consider ourselves fortunate to have been offered the opportunity to enjoy this bottle. We are also reminded to be thankful for what you have, take stock of our blessing daily, and give thanks for our family and loved ones in our lives. Cheers to a bottle that reinforces the notion of giving thanks and celebrating all the abundance that life has blessed us with in this world!

www.perissosvineyards.com

Skeleton Key III – NV; Williams & Chris Wines; Hye, Texas

 The Skeleton Key label has been one of the winery’s signature brands of creativity. The blend and varietals may change with each release; however, it just highlights the art of winemaking which is the winemaker’s ability to capture and express the ideal essence of the fruit for that point in time. The name “skeleton key” does have history with the winery.  In short, a Skelton key was found on the wall of the century old building when things were just getting started.  Rumor has it that owner Bill still has the key, but the legend continues in the wines carrying that name.  Iteration III of this wine is dark with earthy undertones.  Aromas of blackberry are dominant followed by plums.  Vanilla will certainly surround your taste buds at first but be followed by cherries, raspberries, and some leather. Both tannins and acids are medium and there is a hint of pepperiness.  Not sure what the exact blend is, but we are going out on a limb and guess it is mostly Cabernet/Tempranillio.  It is a great wine to enjoy with some good hard cheeses and meaty dishes.  Enjoy this beauty!

www.williamchriswines.com

Slainte - 2015; Flanigan's Distillery & Winery; Bertram, Texas

Great wines can be found in small towns out on the country road.  This mix blend of 79% Texas and 21% California fruit from Flanigan’s completes a lot of great flavors all in one bottle! Behold this mixture of Texas: 35% Malbec, 35% Mourvèdre, 9% Petite Syrah; and California: 12% Petite Syrah, 6% Tannat, 3% Alicante Bouschet.  Fruit forward and rich berry notes are quite noticeable in this well-balanced red wine.  It is smooth with flavors of apple and licorice. This bottle has just a touch of tobacco and moderate acids. This serves as a solid red wine blend fit for most any dish. Good health to all!

 

www.flaniganspirits.com

Classic Reserve Brut – NV; Hattingley Valley Wines; Hampshire, United Kingdom

 Yes, the British bubbly is in! The fine bubbles are the first visual signs that you are about to engage in something fantastic.  Made in the traditional method, this blend of Chardonnay 53%, Pinot Noir 31%, and Pinot Meunier 16% hits the mark for a brut. Pale golden in color, this medium bodied sparkling expresses a lot of apricot and vanilla notes on the nose. Flavors of apple, peach, and a bit of nutmeg fully surrounds your palate for an exquisite sensation as you sip and enjoy. This dry, crisp bubbly has just the right balance of acids to make you pucker for another pour. An outstanding job on this one! Kudos to the producers across the pond from this award winning sparkling wine producer. Cheers!!

www.hattingleyvalley.com

Kuhlmanation Rose’– 2017; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

 Ironically, Kuhlman had put themselves on the wine map with not only their great wines and unique food pairing tastings, but also those magic almonds!  Now they stand out once again with this stellar inaugural Estate Rosé.  Made from Carignan grapes grown on their HWY 290 property, this wine just explodes with bright beautiful and intense fruit flavors that make this such a memorable bottle.  Strongly aromatic like a Marsanne, crisp and citrusy like a dry Moscato, yet with the finish of a well-aged Viognier. Some of the finest notes of those different varieties all housed in one unique single varietal wine. What more could you want in a fine Rosé?  The nose is inundated with intensely fragrant strawberry and melon notes. This is followed by ripe pineapple, luscious mango, and peaches. Its fine acids and touch of minerality help add to that lovely earthy finish. Very impressive indeed!  This Rosé wine is undoubtedly the epitome of a hot summer refresher. So very thankful we thought to purchase more than one bottle.  Sante'!

www.kuhlmancellars.com

Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Reserve – 2003; Pheasant Ridge Winery; Lubbock, Texas

 Once lost and now found, this “old” bottle of Texas Cab still packs some amazing aromas and flavors.  A good 90-minute decanting will enhance the best this vintage has to offer. It is heavy on the blackberry with some cherry and raisin. The tannins have softened some. A hard-core Cabernet fan may even find this one smooth.  You will enjoy the finish with notes of tobacco with a touch of leather. Sure, some dustiness too, but that just adds another layer of character to this lovely aged red wine. This wine is big and pairs nicely with a good quality aged steak. Much life is still left in this special vintage and we think it could go on easily for another decade.  Stay tuned here in 2030 and we shall find out. Cheers!

www.pheasantridgewinery.com