Carménère – 2019; Texas Heritage Vineyard; Fredericksburg, Texas

Behold, for this once long forgotten grape may have found its “new home” once more.  Sourced from Narra Vineyards, this Texas High Plains AVA fruit is quite impressive. It has a deep rich color on that first pour and will quickly fill the air with aromas of rich berries.  This fruit forward treat will also dazzle your palate with notes of cherries and a touch of raspberry.  You might discern a little bit of paprika and some herbs, as well.  It feels about medium bodied with good acids to compliment your best protein dish. Try serving this red wine a little more on the chilled side for a great sipping experience. Cheers!

www.texasheritagevineyard.com

Vin Gris – 2020; French Connection Wines; Hye Texas

This vintage of Vin Gris is predominantly Cinsault based and sourced from the Texas High plains AVA. Just three short years have added a little more color to this aromatic Rosé. There is a mild floral sensation on the nose with some fruit forward notes ready to greet you. Citrus and apples dominate on the palate, and they are such a treat. This wine is clean, crisp, and refreshing with a nice finish. A wine destined for those warm summer days fast approaching us. Santé.

www.frenchconnectionhye.com

Zinfandel – 2014; Bent Oak Winery; Cedar Park, Texas

As one of the first releases from the winery, it’s always a treat to be able to open one up and see how the wine has progressed over the years.  Sourced from Dry Creek Valley AVA, this baby is clocking in at 14.8 abv and drinking really nice now. There is 15% Petite Sirah added to this vintage for just an extra boldness of character. Cherries and plums are the dominate profile notes for this 9 year old jewel. You might still pick up a little bit of vanilla notes during your sipping session, as well. It’s peaking now so enjoy well. Cheers!

www.bentoakwinery.com

Enchanté – 2017; William Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

No doubt, that this label brand has been one of the consistent go-to quality red blends from the winery. This vintage is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and was sourced from the Texas Hill Country AVA. In comparison to other vintages, this one is a bit lighter than other iterations of this Bordeaux style blend.  Pouring that first glass, you will see a light ruby hue and sense big blackberry notes jumping up to greet your nose.  Red cherries will complement the aromatic experience, as well. Take a few sips and you will be delighted with the earthy undertones and good balance of the wine. It’s about halfway between medium and light bodied with moderate acidity. The tannins are lighter than other vintages, so it's an easy red sipper for all.  Enjoy this one well and feel blessed!

www.williamchriswines.com

Malbec – 2017; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

Clocking in at 15.5% abv, this Newsom Vineyards sourced red wine is yet another fine example of the Texas 2017 vintage.  With a garnet-colored pour, you will be delightfully greeted with notes of figs and black cherries along with hints of plums for this Texas High Plains AVA fruit.  This rich, full-bodied jewel will also surprise you with some leather and a touch of black pepper.  It is super delicious on its own, but you will be even more pleased to serve it with a great beef dish. A beauty to enjoy and still drinking nicely if you have bottles lingering in your cellar. Cheers!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

Pinot Grigio – 2020; Peters Prairie Vineyard; Mason, Texas

What a great follow up to the 2019 vintage!  That fresh fruit on the nose and hints of tropical notes will really pique your wine senses.  Enjoy that ripe fruit flavor after the first sip followed by moderate acids and a crisp lingering finish. Oh yes, those floral notes are there as well to keep you happy with this white wine pleaser. Making Mason County fruit proud, this Pinot Grigio was also a Lone Star and San Francisco wine competition winner.  Cheers to Mason county fruit and wine!

www.petersprairievineyard.com

Chardonnay – 2021; Robert Clay Vineyards; Mason, Texas

Behold…Mason County Chardonnay! This young vintage can be quite fruit froward, so be prepared to be dazzled before that first sip hits those tastebuds. Just 23 cases of this estate Texas Hill Country AVA wine were made. At 12 months of neutral oak aging, it does present some respectable flavors of green apple with a hint of hazelnut on the finish. However, there are also unique distinctions of tart lemon peel and defined minerality.  The acids are quite bright, so your palate will be well entertained by this medium bodied white wine.  It is ready to please if you want to drink now, however, keep a year or two and savor the softer flavors of citrus, apple, and pear in the future. Either way, enjoy!

www.robertclayvineyards.com

Aglianico – 2016; Perissos Vineyard and Winery; Burnet, Texas

Regardless of how you may pronounce it, this estate Aglianico pours a beautiful garnet color and fills the air with wonderful aromas of red fruit. You will also sense peppery notes along with leather and a touch of oak. The acids sit around medium plus and you will be delighted by some nice tannins to compliment your sipping experience on the finish.  Everything is right in this red wine, so savor every sip. A delicious jewel and a lovely varietal that Perissos bottles well. Cheers!

www.perissosvineyards.com

TX RG – 2017; Calais Winery; Hye, Texas

This example of a Bordeaux style blend made from Texas grapes should stimulate your interest if you love Bordeaux wines. Sourced from the Texas High Plains AVA, this beauty is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot and was aged for 32 months in mostly new French Oak. Presenting itself at a whopping 15.7% ABV, this high alcohol beast integrates quite well with the overall tasting profile. Don’t be afraid of the alcohol content on this one, this sips as an elegant and refined red blend. Yes, the legs are super thick for those that like that sort of thing and will greet your nose with pleasant warm spices, vanilla, and a touch of violet.  Besides the thick long legs, the deep garnet color can be enticing to gaze at as well. This wine has a lot of dark berry flavors to savor with lush tannins for extra enjoyment on the finish.  This smooth drinker is holding up very well. Hold on to your bottles if you like, but why waste a moment of greatness, as it is so worthy of sipping and enjoying now.  This red wine jewel just might make you a left-bank lover. Santé!

www.calaiswinery.com

Picpoul Blanc – 2016; Rivenburgh Wine; Hye, Texas

Aged Picpoul Blanc? Perhaps to boldly go where no Texas Picpoul Blanc has gone before!  Picked from Timmons Vineyard of the Texas High Plains AVA, this dry white wine was aged with the skins on.  It pours a deep straw-colored hue and quicky fills the air with scents of pear and citrus. Your palate will welcome the rich texture of this wine as notes of apples and a touch of butter permeate your tastebuds.  There is a touch of oak in this rare beast coupled with good minerality. This wine has an excellent finish that is reminiscent of a good quality Chardonnay.  You could nearly call this wine a full-bodied white that is also a great example of pushing the envelope of what a Texas white wine can be. If you have some bottles left, yes, they can keep on aging at least a couple more years.   This is a white wine that just increases the respectability for Texas white wines. Cheers!

www.rivenburghwine.com