GSM – 2017; Llano Estacado Winery; Lubbock, Texas

This Texas GSM style blend packs a bit more Mourvèdre but comes out well balanced and delicious on all wine sensory fronts. The initial notes of strawberry and raspberry greet you with this red wine blend of Mourvèdre 49%, Grenache 24%, Syrah 17%, and Tannat 10%. You will notice the hue is predominantly purple with some nice legs for this 14.2% abv wine. Plums and blackberries will follow, and a bit of leather will round out the tasting profile.  This is a higher acid GSM, so this wine pairs nicely with good food.  Overall, it has great balance and soft tannins for this full-bodied wine. Enjoy!

www.llanowine.com

Petite Sirah – 2018; Ab Astris Winery; Stonewall, Texas

Sourced from Newsom Vineyards of the Texas High plains AVA, this lovely Petite Sirah is one fulfilling red wine jewel. Notes of blueberry and cherry will tantalize all aspects of your wine senses. It also has a medium finish with earthy undertones coming in at the right time.  There is just a touch of nutmeg that you might pick up as well to round things out.  This one is a pleasure for sure. Cheers!

www.abastriswinery.com

7 Deadly Cab – 2018; 7 Deadly Wines; Livermore, California

Sourced from the Lodi AVA, this bold Cabernet pours a rich garnet color with some decent dark fruit notes.  Letting this 14% abv red wine sit for about 45 minutes seems to do the trick for optimal tasting. It has a stronger oak profile on the palate and some firm tannins.  Plums and raspberries will greet your senses as you sip and savor this bold beauty.  It is dry and a bit high on the acid side. Pair this bad beast with charcuterie trays as it pairs nicely with meat and cheese.  Cheers!

www.7deadlywines.com

Ode – 2015; Covington Hill Country; Johnson City, Texas

This beautiful wine of Sangiovese Grosso is a special treat worth savoring. Sourced from two different Washington vineyards, this Sangiovese was aged 3 years in barrel and 2 years in bottle.   Notes of red cherries and some herbs will be your initial wine tasting notes followed by blackberries and plums. After a few sips, you might also notice a touch of vanilla and a bit of leather. Call it a Brunello style wine if you’d like. This red wine is for sure a beauty to enjoy. Salute!

www.covingtonhillcountry.com

Tempranillo – 2016; William Chris Vineyard; Hye, Texas

Prepare yourself for some outstanding Tempranillo. Sourced from Parr Vineyards, this Mason County sourced fruit is full of blackberry and plum notes with a bit of leather. Your palate will relish the rich flavors of this red wine beast as you savor the added notes of raspberry with a touch of smoke. This red wine jewel rounds out with some good tannins and moderate acids.  There are endless pairing possibilities with this gorgeous glass of wine, but honestly, it is such a beauty to behold and enjoy on its own as well. Either way, you cannot go wrong, so enjoy to the fullest. Cheers!

www.williamchriswines.com

Chateau Domecq Tinto – 2017; Casa Pedro Domecq; Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

Behold, Baja wine! Sourced from the Valle de Guadalupe region, this Bordeaux like blend hits a lot of high marks on the wine palate. Blended with 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 8% Nebbiolo, this red wine pours a very deep garnet hue and will almost immediately envelop your nose with lots of red fruit. Take a few sips, and you will pick up lots of cherries, dark chocolate, and a lovely silky finish. The red blend from Mexico has great complexity and seems to balance out quite well.  Leave it open and try a couple of hours later, and the evolved notes will just excite you even more. A lovely find. Enjoy!

www.pedrodomecq.com

TX Blanc – 2021; Calais Winery; Hye, Texas

Yes, white Bordeaux style blends can be made from Texas fruit.  The magic of Calais Winery has produced this beautiful white wine using fruit sourced from Dell Valley Vineyards in West Texas.  Just a quick “day drive” for long time Texans but having the Guadalupe Mountains nearby as your vineyard backdrop sure is not a shabby deal either. This blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Semillon has a light golden color when poured followed by some lemon and apple notes to greet your nose. Take a few sips, and thoroughly enjoy the flavors of apricot and that wonderful fresh acidity.  This white wine is a fabulous one to drink and you’ll thoroughly enjoy it. Santé!

www.calaiswinery.com

Risan Rosé Enterprise Edition - NV; Star Trek Wines; Earth, UFP

Trek fans may recognize the design and labeling of this bottle from the Star Trek Enterprise episode, Two Days and Two Nights. This episode took place on the pleasure planet of Risa and this Rosé wine is a good nod to the actual bottle shown in that episode. The makers did a great job recreating this design and an equally good job at crafting a nice approachable Rosé. In the real world, this wine comes from California. This blend has a nice fruit forward nose, good acids, tantalizing feeling as you sip and enjoy the ripe berry notes, and a clean refreshing finish.  Even without the theme-based bottle and name, you still have a great Rosé to please any palate and enjoy alone or with food. Moreover, who doesn’t enjoy a cool bottle to add to your collection once you savor every drop? Enjoy this one!

www.startrekwines.com

Petite Sirah – 2015; Perissos Vineyard & Winery; Burnet, Texas

Estate sourced fruit from Perissos has always been a consistent high-quality wine to try. Located in the Texas Hill Country AVA, this Petite Sirah wine does not disappoint. At eight years old, it pours a lovely deep dark ruby color with no signs of fading. You will get some spice on the nose along with some rich fruit flavors of blackberries and cherries.  Take a few sips and savor this full-bodied red wine as you pick up on some tobacco and plums. The tannins are moderate for this jewel and the acids are just right. This wine will certainly be one of the best Petite Sirah wines from the state, so enjoy every sip. You can probably keep holding as it seems to be aging quite nicely.  Cheers!

www.perissosvineyards.com

Cuvee Grande Rose – 2016; Gruet Winery; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Behold, for some very fine New Mexico sparkling wine is served! Aged one year in oak and three en tirage, this 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir blend will tantalize all the senses from sight, to aroma, to taste, to finish and beyond.  Obviously, the initial bottle opening cork popping sound is cool, too.  Some refreshing notes of strawberry and raspberry will greet your nose during that first pour. Take those first few sips and savor that black cherry along with a light creaminess and the sensation of soft little bubbles on your palate.  There is just a touch of truffle in there as you relish that long lasting and satisfying finish.  Enjoy this one well as it is worth savoring every sip. Santé!

www.gruetwinery.com