Sangiovese – 2020; Pebble Rock Cellars; Johnson City, Texas

Nothing like an elegant Sangiovese to help ease the tensions of a long day. Sourced from Narra Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA, this red wine unfolds nicely with a bright bouquet of cherries and some dried fruit.  Take a few sips and swirls and you will also taste a touch of spice. It is a bit lighter on the tannins which is just fine for this wine, and the acids seem to be just about right to help balance things for our best food pairing. Wonderful to sip on its own, but worth pairing with food. Enjoy this treat!

www.pebblerockcellars.wine

Mourvèdre – 2020; Limestone Terrace Vineyard; Wimberley, Texas

There is nothing more satisfying than enjoying a hand-crafted estate wine.  Located in the Texas Hill Country AVA, this local vineyard fruit pours a light red shade with aromas of cherry to greet your wine senses followed by a bit of blackberry and strawberry.  Take a few sips and repeat, so it is worth to appreciate the initial sips. Savor all those tasty sensations this wine has to offer, as well. You will note the good acidity this Hill Country Mourvèdre has along with some moderate tannins.  Just take a moment to pause and think about what feast to have with the next bottle, because this beauty is definitely food pairing primed for maximum enjoyment. Hope you get to try some of this wine soon. Cheers!

www.limestoneterrace.com

Rosé de Rosé – 2020; Wines of Dotson Cervantes; Voca, Texas

The magic of Voca wine is all in this bottle. Grown in the extreme northwest outskirts of Texas Hill Country AVA, this blend of Muscat Giallo 49%, Chardonnay 43%, Muscat Canelli 5%, and Merlot 3% is made the way it should be. Notes of apples and rhubarb come out followed by a palate full of peaches, some cherries and just the right amount of minerality. There is just the right balance of a light sweet sensation in this treat to satisfy your day. It comes across more for a full bodied Rosé, so be prepared for something extra special. Enjoy this crafted jewel well!

www.dotsoncervanteswines.com

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2019; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

Sourced from the Texas High Plains, this mighty Texas Cabernet Sauvignon strikes a good balance on all fronts. Harvested from Newsom Vinyards at 25 brix and aged in American and French oak for 30 months, notes of vanilla and dark fruit come out the most for this Texas wine treat. The color seems a bit lighter than other Texas Cabs, but doesn’t distract from the overall tasting profile. Sip and swirl and you might pick up some jammy sensations along with a peppery like finish. The balance between tannins and acids seems just about right, so feast up on your best dish. Cheers!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

Chateauneuf De Hye – 2019; French Connection Wines; Hye, Texas

Behold, this well balanced Rhône style blend will almost certainly put you in your best wine sipping mood. Sourced from the Texas High Plains ava, this blend of 39% Mourvèdre, 32% Grenache, 28% Syrah, and 1% Carignan will blast in some intense aromas of strawberries and raspberries followed by some red cherries. Before you take that first sip, you must check out those lovely legs on this 14.8 abv red wine blend. Take a sip and savor some dried plums for this full bodied jewel. The acidity is about medium with slightly softer tannins. Nothing really to hold you back for the pairing of your choice, so indulge all the way. Santé!

www.frenchconnectionhye.com

Chardonnay – 2020; Covington Cellars; Hye, Texas

Behold, some mighty fine Chardonnay to savor all the way. Sourced from Boushey Vineyard of the Yakima Valley AVA, this white wine pours a pale golden hue with an instant sensation of pineapple and lemon.  Take a few more notes along with a second opinion with your wine friends and see how your wine senses might align. There is some buttery sensation to add with repeated sampling, so don’t be shy to try again. There is definitely an elegant creamy feel to be had along with lots of tropical flavors. This Chardonnay seems like it might keep a little while longer, so feel free to save those extra bottles and enjoy a new experience in the future. Cheers!

www.covingtoncellars.com

Kuhlmanation Estate White – 2022; Kuhlman Estate; Stonewall, Texas

These Texas Hill Country estate wines from Kuhlman have been showing off quite well. This vintage is a blend of 72% Marsanne and 28% Roussanne. It has quite enticing aromas of citrus and melons to help ease your spirit into that tropical relaxation sensation. It is fairly light bodied with some minerality to it along with a touch of acidity. Enoy this well balanced white wine well. Cheers!

www.kuhlmancellars.com

Rio Embudo Red – NV; La Chiripada Winery; Dixon, New Mexico

Take note and savor this lovely blend of Leon Millot, DeChaunac, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz. Aromas of blackberries and plums will greet your nose followed by a touch of spice. The wine pours a medium ruby hue with an added bouquet of cherries. It has a nice smooth mouthfeel along with a velvety like finish.  Quite remarkable this New Mexico red blend is. Enjoy well!

www.lachiripada.com

Jillianico – 2020; Perissos Vineyard and Winery; Burnet, Texas

Named after the owners’ daughter, this estate blend of Aglianico 35%, Dolcetto 33%, Montepulciano 22%, and Cabernet Sauvignon 10% is well balanced, smooth, and a savory one to have. You’ll notice a light red hue when pouring along with notes of black fruit to great your wine senses. Sipping and relishing this wonder red wine blend reveals some blueberries and a bit of smoke. It’s quite delicious to have, so don’t be surprised how quickly this one may go from your cellar. Enjoy!

www.perissosvineyards.com

Barbera – 2019; Peter’s Prairie Vineyard; Mason, Texas

Barbera is served! This mighty red wine from Mason County was one of the first releases for the winery. After a few sips and swirls, red fruit notes will come out along with a little bit of cranberry. The acids are bright for this medium bodied wine, plus some smoke and a touch of spice. This Texas Hill Country AVA sourced fruit is certainly a jewel to have. When Barbera is in the house, feast well on your best Italian style dish. Salute!

www.petersprairievineyard.com

Tempranillo – 2019; Lewis Wines; Johnson City, Texas

This soon to be Hickory Sands AVA sourced fruit will surely be on your “most wanted” list for your cellar. Sourced from Parr Vineyards, this Tempranillo vintage has good ripe red berry notes, along with some smoke and a touch of leather. Yum! It is just a tad bit more translucent than most Texas Tempranillo wines, but does have an interesting way how it conveys the back light. Let’s call this vintage medium bodied with some earthy undertones for character. A beautiful bottle to pair with food or sip on its own.  Enjoy!

www.lewiswines.com

Maximum Red Blend Reserve – 2020; Trivento; Mendoza, Argentina

This Argentinian red blend will really peak your wine senses in all the right places. Grown in the Mendoza area, this balance of Cabernet Sauvignon 50% and Malbec 50% pours a bright ruby red color followed by an aromatic sensation of black cherry, some pepper and a little bit of cigar. Swirl, sip and repeat, and you’ll relish those enticing added senses of plum, and a touch of vanilla. The acidity is just right and the after sensation will just make you crave for more. Enjoy!

www.trivento.com

Estate Kuhlmanation Red – 2019; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

Behold, their first estate red blend release! Many years in the making awaited this fine wine to be sipped and savored. This lovely blend of Carignan/Mourvèdre/Aglianico was aged 20 months in French Oak before sitting in the bottle a bit longer. What you get is some fine blackberry and blueberry notes, firm tannins, and medium acidity. It’s very well balanced and will hit that mouthfeel in all the right places. Take another sip or two and you might pick up on a touch of tobacco. This little plot of Texas Hill Country AVA fruit has shown it can do quite well. Enjoy!

www.kuhlmancellars.com

Chenin Blanc – 2022; William Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

Sourced from Dell Valley Vineyard in the far out regions of West Texas, is this amazing Chenin Blanc to enjoy. This Chenin Blanc wine is unlike other Texas ones you may have tried in the past. It holds much more minerality, bigger acids, yet light body in feel. For the nose, that lemon sensation is a killer followed by some pears. Swirl and sip, and you’ll be quite enticed by the crisp texture and smooth sensation. Bring on the seafood feast, because this white wine will be the star of the show. Cheers!

www.williamchriswines.com

Mourvèdre Whole Cluster – 2019; French Connection Wines; Hye, Texas

Racing in at 15.2 abv, this whole cluster fermented wine shows a lot of great structure that you may not get otherwise. Sourced from Texas High Plains AVA, it pours a light ruby red color with notes of big black fruit that will grace your wine senses, plus a touch of pepper. Take a few more sips and savor the nice earthy notes that meld well with the tannins that round things out. This one is a great versatile wine to pair, so taste, pair with assorted food options to your heart’s delight, and repeat. Santé!

www.frenchconnectionhye.com

Viognier Reserve – 2021; Adega Vinho Winery; Stonewall, Texas

Viognier lovers, rejoice! Sourced from Veesart Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA, this mighty wine has a lot to offer for that A to Z sensation. Clocking in at 15% abv, you’ll notice the delightful tropical notes of citrus and lemon along with some apples. It has good minerality to it and the acidity seems to be just about right. As you sip and savor, you might also pick up a touch of honeysuckle, as well. Chilled, this Viognier also makes an excellent afternoon summer sipper, too. Enjoy!

www.adegavinho.com

Souzao – 2018; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

You might see different variations in spelling of this varietal, but nonetheless it’s a unique grape that makes a satisfying tasting wine. This estate sourced fruit (Lost Pirogue Vineyard) is located near Center Point, TX, which has a limestone rubble terrain that adds its own character to the wine profile. Blueberry and plum are some of the predominant notes you will initially enjoy with this wine followed by a bit of licorice. There is a touch of spice to enhance the fruit flavors as well for this medium bodied Texas Hill Country red. The finish is quite smooth and satisfying for full palate and mouthfeel enjoyment. Saúde!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

Petite Sirah – 2020; Pebble Rock Cellars; Johnson City, Texas

Behold, some mighty fine Petite Sirah to savor for sure!  Gossip has it that the grapes were sourced from Hoover Valley Vineyards (now Uplift) of the Texas Hill Country AVA.  Let’s claim this bottle of wine at about medium bodied with pronounced blueberries and some blackberries here and there.  The acids and tannins seemed to have struck a good balance.  As you relish every sip, you’ll be embraced by that rich mouthfeel, as well. You’ll cherish this one thoroughly, so enjoy every drop. Cheers!

www.pebblerockcellars.wine

Tempranillo – 2009; Fall Creek Vineyards; Tow, Texas

Behold this 15 year old Texas wine! Sourced from Salt Lick Vineyards of the Texas Hill Country AVA, this big red wine is a testament to how well Texas wines can age. Do let this mighty beast decant for a good 90 minutes so that you can savor every moment of this sipping sensation. Cherry and blackberry notes come out well on this Salt Lick Vineyard sourced fruit. Don’t be too surprised from the big acids as you pair with your best meaty feast. There is some earthiness to this red wine along with some smoke and leather plus a good grip on the finish. Enjoy it again if you have another bottle and savor every drop. Cheers!

www.fcv.com

4 Blend – 2017; Sister Creek Vineyards; Sisterdale, Texas

This Bordeaux/Meritage style blend is elegant, delicious, and quite satisfying. The blend is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon 61%, Merlot 16%, Petit Verdot 16%, and Syrah 8%. Your sip and swirl experience will pick up on some blackberries and cherries along with a touch of vanilla. Savor every sip and enjoy that fine finish and moderate tannins. As a silver medal winner of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, it does stand out as a gem to have. Cheers!

www.sistercreekvineyards.com

The Pharmacist – 2022; Slate Theory Winery; Fredericksburg, Texas

After pouring and soaking up those orange aromas of this white wine blend, one might anticipate sweetness to follow, but it actually comes across as fairly dry. Sourced from the Texas High plains AVA, each variety was aged separately, then blended together (60% Muscat Blanc, 40% Muscat Canelli) to yield this great warm weather sipper. The bright and citrus texture is quite pleasing and just might be the knock out you’re looking for to help ease the mind. It also has a slightly creamy texture for added character. Enjoy!

www.slatetheory.com

Refosco – 2020; Vivac Winery; Dixon, New Mexico

Wow! This mighty red wine is quite delicious and full of great character. It has 15% Cabernet Franc added to it for some extra depth. Decant for about 45 minutes and what you get are evolving and intense floral notes of dark berry fruit and some beautiful currant. Sip and swirl and savor that touch of herbal sensation, as well. Acidity is on the mild side and a velvety texture unfolds after a bit of time. It is a well-made bold red wine that you may not come across often, but is well worth enjoying. Cheers!

www.vivacwinery.com

TX-BDX – 2019; Reddy Vineyards; Brownfield, Texas

This Texas High Pains estate fruit is a pretty darn good take on a right bank Bordeaux style wine. It is a blend of Merlot 71%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 7%, Malbec 6%, and Petit Verdot 6% with a satisfying balance of red fruit.  Cherry and white pepper will come out the most on your wine sensors along with a touch of spice and oak. You can definitely pair this smooth red wine with a quality meal, but go bold and just savor the bottle on its own. Cheers!

www.reddyvineyards.com

Sagrantino – 2019; Pebble Rock Cellars; Johnson City, Texas

Racing in at 15.2 abv, this high alcohol wine seems fairly well integrated with the overall tasting profile. The Narra Vineyards sourced fruit pours a dark ruby hue and will reach out to your aroma senses with notes of cherries and fig. The tannins are about medium and there is a little bit of spice in there, as well. It is a very well balanced wine that you should savor well. Salute!

www.pebblerockcellars.wine

Norteno – 2019; Saba Winery; Mason, Texas

There is some sadness yet joy when you get to try a bottle from a winery that is no more. This blend of Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet was one of the first releases (extra special treat) from the winery. Sourced from Tad Daniel Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA, you’ll want to let this one breathe for a good hour to experience full enjoyment. Sip it too early, and you might not get what you expected. It pours semi opaque and has fruity aromas of blackberries and ripe cherries. It has softer tannins and light acidity along with a bit of spice. It’s probably not meant for long term aging, so definitely drink now and enjoy well with a good protein feast. Cheers!

PST – 2018; Adega Vinho Winery; Stonewall, Texas

Behold, the mighty PST beast! Sourced from the Texas High Plains AVA, this rich blend of 66% Petite Sirah, and 34% Tempranillo explodes with rich cherries followed by some luscious raspberries.  Add to that some blackberries for appeal and you have one mouth savoring wine. There is a touch of spice in there along with a very nice after feeling. Keep sipping and enjoying this incredibly smooth wine and rejoice that next big juicy meaty pairing. Cheers!

www.adegavinho.com

Montepulciano – 2020 – Uplift Vineyard; Burnet, Texas

Everything that is magical about Hill Country fruit can be enjoyed in this bottle. Clocking in at 14.5 abv, this bold red wine of the Texas Hill Country AVA is expressing a lot of dark fruit notes and rich berries. It’s smooth, flavorful, and oh so enjoyable. Add to all that the great tannins towards the end and you have a fabulous finish to this wine. With well balanced acids and a lip-smacking smile, you will surely not be disappointed with this jewel. Simply beautiful wine to enjoy right now. Cheers!

www.upliftvineyard.com

Côtes de Hye – 2019; French Connection Wines; Hye, Texas

This red wine blend has a mix of delicious varietals to entice your aroma and palate sensations. Sourced from the Texas High plains AVA, this magical creation of 39% Carignan, 29% Cinsault, 20% Grenache, and 12% Mourvèdre pours a light maroon color and is quite fruit forward. It has a mix of great notes including plums and blackberries along with some cranberries. Top that with a nice light finish and serve slightly chilled, and you have a great summer red sipper. Santé!

www.frenchconnectionhye.com

Pinot Noir – 2019; Alexana Winery; Newberg, Oregon

Be prepared to enjoy this extra special Oregon Pinot Noir. Sourced from Willamette Valley, this wine is a blend of four distinct terroirs. It pours a deeper red color than most Pinot Noirs of Northwest America and is quite fruit forward.  Cherries and raspberries are the predominant notes along with some pepper.  Take a few sips and repeat and then you’ll have that extra satisfaction of some smoke plus leather. It has a medium length finish, great acidity, and subtle earthy undertones. This lovely wine makes a fantastic food companion, as well. Enjoy well!

www.alexanawinery.com

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2017; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

At 3700 feet, Newson Vineyards has been well known for growing some stellar Texas fruit. Add to that the 2017 vintage year with all Mother Nature imparted to the mix, and you get some amazing, crafted wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon made by Bending Branch exemplifies all that and more. Clocking in at 14.8 ABV, the color looks great, and the aromas of dark fruit are wonderful. Cherries and strawberries are notable along with some leather. Let’s call this red jewel medium plus along with some earthy undertones for added character.  A quality food pairing would be the ideal companion for this red wine, but it is also a great stand-alone sipper. Cheers!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

Peter’s Prairie Vineyard – Mason, Texas

This vineyard has been a well known source for a number of Texas wineries over the last 20 years.  Planted in 2000 and named after Major Joshua Peters, the history behind the prairie can be its own lengthy writing of itself. Fast forward to 2018 and you have Kim Henderson who gazed upon this land and the for sale sign, then realized dreams can come true. With her husband Curt, they have dived right into the world of Texas vineyards and the rest is still history in the making.

Many may remember their Mason courtyard tasting room that opened back in 2022. Now they have their own onsite estate tasting room that opened towards the end of June 2024. It is quite an amazing tasting facility that you should be on your “must do” check the box list. With high vaulted ceilings, a relic windmill, old vines, and comfy seating, there is much to sip and relax in there. But wait…there is also an outside patio for you to enjoy the gorgeous vineyard views and surrounding countryside. It is quite breath taking and you can see why Kim and Curt couldn’t say no to this place.

The estate vineyard has 12 acres planted of Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, Syrah, Zinfandel, Malbec, Albariño, and Malbec. They’ve taken the commitment to sustainable agriculture practices that will give life to this land for a long time to come as well as producing quality fruit.   They use a custom crush facility in Comfort to make their estate wines.

You’ll be quite impressed with the selection of wines they have.  All but the Tempranillo are estate wines, and all are Texas Hill Country AVA. Check out the 2022 Bubbly Syrah Rosé for starters. You get the best of a fine Rosé plus the classic sparkling sensation all in one with a touch of brut feel. If Rosé wine is your thing for the Texas 100 degree summers, then both the Mourvèdre and Syrah Rosé wines will add that refreshing chill factor for you. Peter’s Prairie has definitely helped put Pinot Grigio on the map for a go to Texas white. Their 2020 vintage has fresh fruit on the nose with hints of tropical notes.  A must start for the reds would be the 2020 Barbera. Barbera fans will be mesmerized by its light color, refreshing medium bodied texture, good red fruit notes, plus, it clocks in at 15.3 abv! Next up, are the Tempranillos. Do try to compare the 2019 and 2020 (assuming availability). Both are sourced from Tallent Vineyards in Mason County. With rich blackberry notes, good acids, and solid tannins, there is much anticipation as to which red meat you’ll pair with these. The Syrah has to be the star of the estate creations. As one of the oldest vines, you get a very rich flavor and smooth feeling from this red beast. You’ll be in for an extra special treat with the 2020 Chaparral Red. As a blend of Malbec and Barbera, its touch of sweetness feel along with fruit forward notes makes this a very enjoyable summer red wine.

The winery has a great team working there and will be more than happy to help you select the best sipper for you. Plus, with gorgeous views inside and out, you just might take up a semi residence here for your regular wine sipping days.  They’ve also done a great job at showing how well Mason County fruit thrives in the Texas wine industry. Cheers!

www.petersprairievineyard.com

TX RD – 2018; Calais Winery; Hye, Texas

Say it can’t be done, but it can! Behold, some mighty fine Rive Droite wine made with Texas grapes.  Throw in some Cabernet Franc, toss in some Cabernet Sauvignon, add some Merlot along with a dash of Petit Verdot and voilà! Of course, meticulous vineyard management and expert winemaking skills play a large part as well. The wine pours a dark ruby red shade and fills the air with notes of red currant and cherries. Sip and savor and you will relish those silky tannins and tobacco notes, too. This full-bodied gem is quite smooth and very well balanced. This lovely wine will also reveal a hint of spice for added enjoyment. A good hour of decanting should suffice for ultimate sipping sensations. However, the best way to enjoy may be to sip and relish this one over the course of the evening so you see how this wine truly unfolds over time. This red vintage can probably cellar longer than most Texas reds, so save a few bottles and enjoy a new experience in the future. Santé!

www.calaiswinery.com

Estate Rosé – 2021; Limestone Terrace Vineyard; Wimberley, Texas

Estate wines are always a special treat and typically afford us the opportunity to reminisce that last visit to the winery. This wine is no exception how this Rosé blend of Sangiovese/Mourvèdre highlights how fine Texas Hill Country AVA fruit can translate to beauty in the glass. After sitting six months in stainless steel, this baby has developed into a pleasant sipper worth enjoying with food or alone. Notes of honey and pepper shine through well after those initial sips. This wine has a nice soft finish with a touch of strawberry, which one would expect. Chilled is the way to go with this light and easy drinker and it is delightfully an all-day Rosé. Cheers!

www.limestoneterrace.com

Cuvée Sarah – 2020; Château Petit-Freylon; Coirac, France

At under $15, this Bordeaux Blend is a decent go to wine for value and good taste. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, notes of blackberry and plums shine through along with some dark cherries. The color when pouring looks intense, too. It is dry, fruity, full-bodied and well balanced. You will note some earthiness and smoke along with a touch of leather as you sip and repeat, while enjoying the lovely melding of flavors in this beauty - proof that price point is never an indication of wine quality.  Do not be afraid to give this wine a try, it proves you never know what interesting new wines you might discover at your local wine merchant. Santé!

www.petitfreylon.com

Malbec 2019 - Peter’s Prairie Vineyard; Mason, Texas

Behold, yet another example of some fine Mason County grown fruit making a wonderful wine worthy of savoring every drop.  This Estate wine focuses the spotlight on how well wine can be made in the Texas Hill Country AVA, and more importantly in the hickory sandstone area of Mason County. Take a few swirls and sips and you may be mesmerized by all the luscious floral notes that greet your nose. Blackberries are a top note that will grab your attention, but don’t stop there. Plums and some clove will equally provide glorious sensations on the nose and palate as you enjoy this beauty. This wine is one to be savored, so if you have bottles in your cellar, get one out and pop the cork, as it is time to enjoy the fruit of this lovely vintage. Cheers!

www.petersprairievineyard.com

14-year Anniversary!

Year 14 marks proof that you just never know what kind of wine you are going to get for the year. What a wet year it has been, specifically for Texas wines. It is such a contrast to the last two years of very dry and hot summers. That just makes for some dynamic and interesting verticals in the future. Speaking of which for the last year, more 10+ year old Texas wines have been featured on this blog. It is a testament to how well they can age and mature over time. Hmm…maybe it is time to break out those 15 and even 20+ year old Texas wines for tasting? On the winery front, there have been noticeable changes in the area industry. Not just the ever-expanding growth, but the mergers/acquisitions, and partnerships of wineries. It was likely inevitable given that’s how businesses usually work, but it will be interesting to see how these larger consolidations pan out over the years. Meanwhile, the rise of not so common grapes has come to life in Texas. You may have seen Teroldego, Picpoul Blanc, Fiano, plus a few new hybrids on tasting menus. Boy are they delicious and savory to have! They are such a contrast to what you might taste (if you can find it) from the old world. Be on the lookout for other less common varietals in the future. The possibilities continue to grow and certainly looking forward to new places and new exciting wines to come. Cheers!

Merlot – 2019; Siboney Cellars; Johnson City, Texas

As you taste and enjoy this Merlot, just appreciate all the hard and challenging work that went into crafting this vintage. You never know what to expect with Texas weather and agriculture, but determination does pay off as noted in this vintage. Sourced from Newsom Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA, this beautiful wine comes across as fruit forward with rich dark berries to tantalize your wine senses. Tannins are about medium, and the acids seem well balanced. It’s a delightful treat to sip, but there is nothing wrong with just gazing and admiring a full glass of this jewel and its mesmerizing color. It’s a top-notch quality Merlot worth savoring. Cheers!

www.siboneycellars.com

Maverick – 2017; Carter Creek Winery; Johnson City, Texas

Saying that this “outsider wine” stands on its own can be an understatement. This Texas High Plains blend of 25% Syrah, 23% Mourvèdre, 23% Counoise, 23% Cinsault, and 6% Viognier definitely gets the job done on good tasting wine. It’s a Rhone like blend that pours a very light red color followed by aromas of rich red berries and some oak. Plums come out as well along with scents of crab apple.  There might be a bit of pepper in there as you sip and swirl along with a touch of coffee. Let’s call this fine wine medium all around for acids, body, and tannins. With a good structure and fine finish, there is a lot to savor for this wine gem. Cheers!

www.cartercreek.com

Mourvèdre – 2019; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

When some fine Mourvèdre is in the house, one celebrates that flash of joy in your heart.  This Texas High Plains fruit is loaded with notes of strawberry and cherry to dazzle those aromatic senses. Harvested from Desert Willow Vineyard, some watermelon and a touch of tobacco may be noticeable as well when you sip and savor this beauty. It does not take much convincing to pair this bottle with a great meal with some big protein. Cheers!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

Ranger Hays – 2017; Becker Vineyards; Fredericksburg, Texas

This mighty Malbec packs a lot of great flavors and also has a nice smooth finish. That is probably enough right there to entice you to indulge in this red wine, but here is a bit more for the enthusiast.  Clocking in at 14.2 ABV, this lovely red wine is a blend of Malbec 70%, Petit Verdot 17%, and Merlot 13%. It pours a ruby red shade that holds delightful hints of violet which compliments the black fruit notes. Sip and swirl and enjoy those beautiful spice notes that meld nicely with the smokiness and tobacco notes. A fun wine to sip and savor or pair with food. Enjoy well!

www.beckervineyards.com

Mourvèdre – 2020; Lewis Wines; Johnson City, Texas

There is not much to contemplate with this Texas Hill Country AVA Mourvèdre. Sourced from Klein Vineyard Ranch near Blanco, this wine is elegant and light plus quite enjoyable. It is lighter in color than most Texas Mourvèdre wines with notes of strawberries and jams to initially greet your wine senses. It follows up with some plums and you might also pick up some earthy undertones as well. This jewel is a great one to enjoy with your best lamb or pork. Cheers!

www.lewiswines.com

Malbec – 2018; Wiliam Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

Some serious Malbec here, folks! Sourced from the Hye estate of the Texas Hill Country AVA, this mighty fine wine will initially great your nose with raspberries and then some strawberries. Swirl and breathe in some of that enticing aroma and you just might pick up on some vanilla scents, too. The tasting profile is pretty amazing with plums and peppers to tantalize your tastebuds.  It has just the right amount of acids as well to compliment your best feasts. Cheers!

www.williamchriswines.com

Syrah – 2019; French Connection Wines; Hye, Texas

Sourced from different vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA, this bold red wine is a beauty from that initial sip. This wine pours a bit lighter in color than some other Syrahs, but still strikes a great balance with the tannins and brisk acidity. Aged mostly in French oak for 21 months, this full-bodied red greets you with blueberry and some blackberry notes enhanced with a touch of spice. There is everything to relish after that first sip with the only concern regarding what to pair with those subsequent sips. Enjoy, well. Santé!

www.frenchconnectionhye.com

Syrah – 2018; Covington Cellars; Hye, Texas

Oh Syrah, Syrah, let’s rejoice!  Sourced from seven different vineyards from the Columbia Valley AVA, this bold and robust beast is something to thoroughly enjoy. Blueberries really spring forward upon that initial sip along with some beautiful blackberry notes. This wine also has some great earthiness to it to compliment the fruit profile. Finally, the depth profile on this deep red is quite amazing. Pair this one with your favorite choice of protein for an amazing feast. Cheers!

www.covingtonhillcountry.com

Zinfandel – 2019; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

Be prepared for some mighty fine Zinfandel sipping with this bottle. Sourced from the Texas High Plains AVA, this wine pours a tantalizing garnet color and features rich berry notes. Along with that, strawberry jam really pops in this one along with a touch of plum.  Even though it clocks in at 14.6 abv, the higher alcohol content blends in quite nicely with the tasting profile. As you sip and savor this wine you will also note some earthy undertones.  A fine jewel indeed to enjoy. Cheers!

www.kuhlmancellars.com

Crimson Cabernet Rosé – 2022; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

This genetic cross between Norton and Cabernet Sauvignon holds much promise for areas prone to Pierce’s Disease. Estate grown in the Texas Hill Country AVA, this initial Rosé release is full of tropical flavors to entice your senses. Pineapple comes out the most along with some mango. It has a smooth texture after that first sip along with a hint of creaminess.  Plans are to make a red wine along with a sparkling version in the future - looking forward to trying these creations from this hybrid. Cheers!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

La Cuvée du Chêne – 2016; Calais Winery; Hye, Texas

This big bold Petit Verdot is definitely well suited for the serious red wine drinker out there. Sourced from the Texas High plains AVA, you’ll want to give this baby some serious time to open up before indulging in your ultimate wine tasting and food pairing experience.  It pours a very deep, dark inky color, but not unexpected for this varietal. Plums and blackberries really come out to great your wine senses along with a touch of licorice.  Berry flavors will relish those tastebuds as well and do be prepared for that tannic sensation. It’s a hard core beauty of a red wine to enjoy for sure, so enjoy well.  Santé!

www.calaiswinery.com

Syrah – 2017; Kiepersol Winery; Tyler, Texas

In the mighty realm of East Texas, you can find some pretty darn good estate Syrah being grown there. Never mind all the awards that this fabulous wine has won, just sip and savor for your own assessment. This red wine is somewhere between medium and full bodied with dark fruit and some spice as the initial notes that welcome you. In addition, you will find pleasing plums, black pepper, and blackberry notes to tantalize your tastebuds and round out your sipping pleasure. To say that it’s delicious does not do enough justice, but the real full tasting experience is a must, so that you know what this wine has to offer. Cheers!

www.kiepersol.com

Tempranillo – 2020; William Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

Racing in at 15.5 abv, this big red wine leaves nothing to despair. Sourced from the famous Newsom Vineyard of the Texas High Plains AVA, this high alcohol red wine seems well integrated on the overall tasting profile without the hot or burning sensation one might assume.  It’s bold with big tannins with notes of cherries, figs, and some blackberry. There is just the right amount of acid in this stout red wine to suit every hard-core Texas Tempranillo fan. Plan for a great pairing adventure with this special treat. Cheers, y’all!

www.williamchriswines.com

Winemakers’ Select Red – 2019; La Chiripada Winery; Dixon, New Mexico

There are some mighty fine red wines being made in New Mexico. This blend of 50% Shiraz and 50% Ruby Cabernet pours a dark purple shade and will initially come across as quite fruity on the nose. Raspberries and pepper will be the additional notes you will pick up along with some smokiness. The tannins and acids are well balanced and after another sip or two, you might discern just a touch of spice. A savory one for sure to enjoy, so pair well and share with all. A true delight. Cheers!

www.lachiripada.com

Aglianico – 2017; Duchman Family Winery; Driftwood, Texas

WOW! Another fantastic wine from the great Texas vintage year of 2017.  Sourced from Oswald Vineyard, this Texas High Plains AVA fruit has lots of red fruit flavors and a nice long dry finish. Clocking in at 14.6 abv, there is a lot to love in this full-bodied wine.  In addition to the fruit, there is some nice spice and leather that will tantalize your wine senses along with balanced acids and tannins. Feast up and pair well with this jewel as it is surely food worthy. Salute!

www.duchmanwinery.com