Provencal Rosé – 2017; Becker Vineyards; Fredericksburg, Texas

This Provence-style Rosé seems to hit the right marks for a Rosé tasting experience. Being a 2017 Texas wine, just adds that extra “plus” to it. This vintage is a blend of Carignan, Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, Counoiuse, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. A lovely bouquet of lavender notes will initially greet you followed by the aroma of pears. Flavors of strawberries are prominent on the palate followed by bit of pomegranate. It has a lovely clean finish with a satisfying “ahhh” at the end. You really cannot go wrong with this nice dry Rosé. As a bonus, this was a special 25^th year vintage too. A truly delightful bottle. Cheers!

www.beckervineyards.com

Barrel Aged Rosé – 2019; French Connection Wines; Hye, Texas

Texas Rosés have been making a fine showing in recent years. This barrel aged version takes it up a notch as a rich, intensely flavorful, and very enjoyable treat. Aged in puncheons for 8 months (yes, aged!), this Texas High Plains sourced Mourvèdre fruit has some great depth of character. Citrus notes will pop initially followed by tantalizing rich strawberries. The acids are just a notch above medium to give that clean satisfying feeling you want in a Rosé.  It’s good for anytime of day, with a meal and for pairing with your cheese, fruit, veggies, and charcuterie “snacks”. Santé!

www.frenchconnectionhye.com

Cabernet Franc – 2016; Topping and Legnon; Santa Rose, CA

This bold, dry red wine is a refreshing treat for Sonoma Valley sourced fruit. The herbaceous notes greet you along with the eye catching deep red hue.  The detailed specs for this wine on the label are for the wine geek at heart! You will also note on the label that it is 82% Cab Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Malbec. The raspberry notes along with the added flavors of blackberries and blueberries are a delight. The wine is about medium acidity and still has a tight finish. Keep it for a while longer if you would like, this one will surely be a pleaser for many years to come. Cheers!

www.toppinglegnon.com

Merlot – NV; Fall Creek Vineyards; Tow, Texas

This easy drinking smooth Merlot is a simple treat to reach for on any day. Although non-vintage, we picked this one up in 2012.  The color has some brown color on the edges and is now a bit more translucent however, nothing on the nose hints at anything from deterring a good sip. Black fruit dominates the aromas along with some pepper. The acids and tannins are quite mild and at nine years old you can still discern some lovely melon and cherry notes. This soft easy-drinking wine is a nice one to enjoy for any occasion. Santé!

www.fcv.com

Viognier – 2019; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

At the end of your first glass, astonishment will be just the beginning of your reaction.  Between the straw-yellow color and floral aromas, the first impressions of this white wine are amazing. Tucked in there are notes of lemons and apples to dazzle your taste buds. Crisp…yes, refreshing…definitely!   That lingering sensation you feel is just telling you that there is more to experience on the next sip. At 14.8% ABV, the balancing act of this white wine and the big flavors are quite amazing. Well done and cheers!

www.kuhlmancellars.com

Tannat – 2016; William and Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

Having some Hye Estate wine is a special treat. Grown on the estate winery property in the Texas Hill Country AVA, this fruit forward bold red wine is an A-to-Z delight.  Wonderful aromas of plums and blackberries initially greet your nose. This full-bodied red also packs some delicious cherry and jam flavors. There is a touch of tobacco for added depth of character and you will be pleased with the subtle earthiness on this one. Overall, it is a beautifully smooth Tannat that softens after a couple of hours. Savor this one so you can continue to experience the loveliness of how this wine unfolds and experience the full enjoyment of sipping a lovely Tannat brings. Cheers!

www.williamchriswines.com

Il Mostro – 2013; James Cole Winery; Napa, California

There is no drop to waste with this Napa Valley Petite Sirah wine blend! Crafted from fruit from 100-year-old vines, this blend of 70% Petite Sirah, 20% Zinfandel, and 10% Carignane is a bold one to relish with a melding of wonderful flavors. At just a mere 8 years old, it is still quite young.  Before starting the first sip, decant for a good ninety minutes and then some to allow this beauty to unfold. There is an elegant garnet color pour for this fruit forward treat. A bit of herbs will greet you on the nose along with moderate oak notes. The flavor is bold with tart cherries blended with strawberries and blueberries. It is still a bit tight, and the acids and tannins are still showing their strength.  There is a little vanilla lingering around to round out that full flavor profile. This big bold red wine blend is a keeper for sure.  If you have multiple bottles, it is worth continuing to cellar and open another one in a few more years to see how this lovely one continues to evolve. Definitely worth enjoying again. Cheers!

www.jamescolewinery.com

Sauvignon Blanc – 2018; Esperanza Winery; Blanco, Texas

Need a yummy crisp chilled white for those summery Fall days?  This Sauvignon Blanc by Esperanza can certainly hit that spot. Sourced from the Sierra Foothills AVA, the aromas of fresh grapefruit are quite pronounced.  There are some distinct peach notes that blend in along with a hint of lemongrass. There is just a lingering touch of nutmeg as well to meld things nicely and add an additional dimension to this lovely white sipper. It is quite crisp and refreshing to drink on its own or enjoy paired with fish, fowl, salad, cheese, and veggie dishes.  Enjoy well and feel refreshed!

www.esperanzawinery.com