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