Montepulciano – 2016; Ab Astris Winery; Stonewall, Texas

Oh, what a lovely red wine!  Sourced from Reddy Vineyards, this Texas High Plains Montepulciano is very well balanced and quite enjoyable right now.   On the initial pour, you will see a nice cherry tint to the color followed by some notes of coffee on the nose. This medium bodied jewel will surprise you with rich raspberries and a touch of vanilla as you savor that first sip. The acids are just right, and the tannins are on the moderate side. We paired ours with a hearty meaty pasta dish and it was quite enjoyable. Salute!

www.abastriswinery.com

La Connection Rosé – 2019; French Connection Wines; Hye, Texas

You certainly cannot get enough of these fine Rosés from French Connection Wines. This delicious jewel is a blend of 85% Mourvèdre and 15% Grenache and will envelop the nose in rich strawberry and cranberry aromas. Add some lemon zest and a touch of apricot to the tasting profile and your sensory receptors will be dazzled with the beautiful fresh fruit notes in this bottle. With nice acids and a refreshing finish, this wine is one to relish. As you long for spring, who can resist a great Rosé?  Guess there is only one thing left to say…Santé!

www.frenchconnectionhye.com

Tempranillo – 2011; Perissos Vineyard and Winery; Burnet, Texas

Tempranillo wine from Perissos has been a well-known quality varietal in the state and something to savor.  The 2011 vintage is one of those special years to enjoy thanks to the insanely hot and dry weather that year. This vintage has a “splash” of 10% Touriga for an added enjoyment. Even at 11 years old, this wine can still pack quite a mouth gripping feel. We suggest allowing this bottle to breathe for a couple of hours after opening to allow it to really shine…. Perhaps a bit longer if you have the patience. There are no signs of color fade in this bold red jewel.  The notes are of very mature blackberries with a touch of fig.  Just before that finish kicks in, you can discern a bit of cherry. A smoother finish unfolds after letting it breathe for three hours and there is a nice lingering tobacco feel, too. Enjoy this one well and savor every sip!

www.perissosvineyards.com

Ignis – 2017; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

Clocking in at 15.5% abv, this extra special vintage has everything that you have always wanted in a Texas red wine blend. Named for the Texas High Plains caliche "fire rocks", this Newsom Vineyards fruit will envelope your nose with bright and refreshing aromas. Given its moderate color and A to Z mouthfeel, there is not a single tastebud that won’t be pleased with each subsequent sip as notes of ripe dates and a bit of allspice entice your palate. This smooth silky red wine has a nice long-lasting finish, as well. This exceptional blend of 47% Tempranillo, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Malbec is literally a one of a kind from Kuhlman that should be savored for this inaugural and sole vintage produced to date. The Kuhlman philosophy is to not produce it until they have the superior fruit that will express this blend well for that vintage.  The caliber of this award-winning blend will leave you wanting more of this beautiful jewel. We are hoping mother nature cooperates soon, to allow a second vintage to be crafted and enjoyed. Until then, we wait in eager anticipation. Santé!

www.kuhlmancellars.com

Tannat – 2013; William Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

Wow! Being able to open a first estate grown Tannat is one thing but tasting it with your favorite hunk of protein is sheer joy!  This bold and deep colored red wine is better than black gold. Big plums and raspberries will grab your attention on the nose enticing you into tasting that initial sip. That first sip really grips that mouth feel well.  Even at just 8 years old, which can be kind of “old” for some Texas red wines, those blackberry flavors show no signs of diminishing. Those rich berry notes are complimented with a medium finish. The acids are hanging around moderate right now and some firm tannins are still holding up nicely.  If you want to do your own Texas Tannat verses the world, this might be a good choice. We loved this one. If you still have a bottle, savor and enjoy it!

www.williamchriswines.com

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2016; Topping and Legnon Winery; Santa Rosa, California

Sourced from the North Coast AVA, this estate grown wine is a beautiful beast to savor. With a little franc and malbec added to this lovely blend (82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cab Franc, and 9% Malbec), this bold red wine is still tasting quite young.  Cedar and mocha are the predominate notes that greet you followed by rich, ripe blackberries.  It is very dry, so not for the faint of heart. That mouth gripping feel will certainly please the serious red wine lover in you and that extra-long finish will only entice you to come back for more.  Keep that other bottle or two around longer, because this show will only get better with time.  Simply lovely and Cheers!

www.toppinglegnon.com

Picpoul Blanc – 2020; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

Picpoul Blanc seems to be quickly rising as a great go-to Texas white wine varietal. Sourced from Lost Pirogue Vineyard, this light golden colored wine is really showing how well this grape does in the Texas Hill Country AVA.  Melon and pears will be the first notes to greet you.  After you swirl and sip a few times, those tropical sensations kick in to help put you in that relaxed sea breeze dreaming mood.  There is a bit of creaminess for a little extra surprise making this a lovely sipper. With low acidity and a touch of lemon on the finish, you have a real winner here. Cheers!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

Syrah – 2011; Flat Creek Estate Winery & Vineyard; Marble Falls, Texas

That extra dry year for Texas has certainly made its mark on Texas wines.  This 2011 estate vintage has mellowed out quite nicely and is very drinkable right now. Even a dozen years later, there are some good red fruit flavors on the nose. The color is a translucent purple, little to no sediment, and the cork is very well intact.  Blackberry and raspberry will dominate the profile followed by a touch of vanilla.  The finish is much softer than earlier samples and the acids are holding at about medium.  It could probably still linger in the cellar a few more years, but who can resist when it is tasting so well. Cheers!

www.flatcreekestate.com

GSM Reserve – 2012; Solaro Estate Winery; Dripping Springs, Texas

Who doesn’t like a good GSM to soothe the day?  This blend of 49% Grenache, 36% Syrah, and 15% Malbec has held up quite well for the past decade.  It is more translucent in color thru the aging process, but the fruit notes seem to be holding up just fine.  You will sense mostly raspberry and spice from the first pour followed by a touch of earthiness.  It has mellowed out, so that smooth finish is quite enjoyable.  Pair with a wood fired pizza to bring a little joy to your heart. Nice bottle if you still have any in your cellar, we recommend enjoying now. Cheers!

www.solaroestate.com