Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Lewis Wines – Johnson City, Texas
All it sometimes takes is some young guys with big
ideas, passion, and hard work and presto….you have a great winery making some
really good wine and establishing a name for itself! This small winery
located just west of Johnson City is putting out a good array of wines that are
100% Texas hand crafted wines. Bottom line, you really, really, need to check
out the wines from these guys! Owners Doug Lewis and Duncan McNabb
(Pedernales Cellars “graduates”) started making their own wine label in
2010 and opened for tasting by appointment a couple of years ago. They
have a local estate vineyard of about seven acres recently planted this year with
focus on Portuguese varietals like Tannat and Touragi and others. They
also source grapes from a vineyard near Round Mountain as well as the Texas
High Plains. Let’s start with the whites. The first on the list is
Swim Spot (2013). Made from a blend of Blanc du Bois (73%) and Chenin
Blanc (27%), it’s quite refreshing for those final days of Texas summer
in November! The other white, 2012 Texas White Wine, is a blend of
Viognier (52%) and Chenin Blanc (48%). It encompasses the best qualities
of both varietals. The 2013 Chenin Blanc is made from grapes from Mesa
Verde and is quite nice, as well. Their 2013
Rose from Mourvedre is a hint of soft pale pink that could pass as an adult
refreshing summer time beverage....think softer than pink lemonade shade. The
2011 Texas Red Wine is a blend of primarily Mourvedre and Tempranillo along
with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a lovely lingering
finish that's best described as "wow"! The 2011 Merlot has its grapes sourced from
Granite Hill Vineyards. Yep, the same grapes you may have had from
William and Chris and Compass Rose’s Merlot version. Lewis Wines has kept
the high standard from this vintage and vineyard and made their own great
Merlot, as well. So store these Merlot bottles in your private stash!
The Parr Tempranillo, sourced from Parr Vineyards in Mason County, is to die
for. Only 198 cases produced of this one
so get some while the gettin' is good, as they are sure to be gone soon. Lewis
wines has done quite well with the Tempranillo grape that has helped put Texas
on the world wine map. But the best is
for last! The 2011 Newsom Reserve
is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Cabernet Franc (31%) and Malbec
(13%). It’s a twist on their own
Bordeaux style wines that packs some pleasure for the true red wine aficionado.
It just damn good… what else needs to be said! It just has one of
those beautiful finishes that lasts and lasts and a great bouquet. It makes you
crave for more! Lewis Wines shows great
promise in contributing quality Texas Hill Country wines to the growing list.
So, come visit, chat, and enjoy their own piece of Texas Hill Country setting with
some of their wine! You will not be disappointed. Cheers and well done!!
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Blanc du Bosque – 2006; Red Caboose Winery; Meridian, Texas
This semi-sweet Blanc du Bois wine is
delightfully pleasing for an afternoon treat. You’ll note berries and
fruit aromas enticing your taste buds. Given it's age, this wine was
still quite flavorful and delicious. We noted hints of banana and floral
flavors as the dominant tasting notes. Surprisingly, this old white wine
maintained its flavor even after being opened for an hour. It’s always
cool to gaze at the deep colors of aged whites and marvel in its physical
beauty. Served chilled with a light
meal, snack or on its own. It’s good either way. Enjoy!
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
Touriga Nacional, Round Mountain Vineyard Reserve – 2011; Lewis Wines; Johnson City, Texas
These special superb wine releases are
always fun to blog about. This is one of those wines that you will say 'I
love you' to. Yes you will without any doubt! Don’t feel
embarrassed to hold this bottle up to your cheeks and give it a good wine kiss,
because you really will love it that well. Let’s start off with the
bottle. The glass is not your typical wine bottle and is more like those
heavier ones used for champagnes. It's also very well tinted – a good sign that
behind the scenes someone wanted the right kind of bottle and also knew this
wine is going to be made to age. After you initially open the bottle,
feel free to be a wine geek and smell the wonderful floral aromas every few
minutes as it breaths. It’s what you do, because you love this wine. The
aroma is….beyond pleasant, so just keep breathing in and out for a while as the
bouquet continues to unfold. Once you’re ready to taste, make sure you have
that high end wine glass. After all, quality wine in a quality wine
bottle deserves a quality wine glass! The taste…."Magnifique!" With
this wine, there will be no doubt if you are taste blind, that this is
something special. You’ll notice some good berry and peppery flavors
along with its dry and nice finish. You'll be enticed by the deep purple
color as it stimulates your visual senses. So, feel free to gaze in the glass and
hold the wine to the light as you inspect the color and the edges where it
meets the glass and enjoy every swirl. You can tell that great care and respect has
been bestowed not only upon the vines, but the grapes and wine making
process. Everything has perfectly come together in this wine. It
should age well for the next several years. We look forward to a future posting
on our second bottle in whatever the latest Internet social media fad form will
be the norm for those future days. So, pour yourself a nice big glass and
have with a big meal. Everything on your plate will taste good with this
one! Have a third bottle? It’s ok if you put that one in your
will to have it buried with you because you really do love it that much.
By then, friends and family will understand your wine obsession as well as
toasting your long lived life with some of your other favorite wines. Double
Cheers!!
Friday, December 12, 2014
Citrus Tango - NV; Dancing Bee Winery; Rogers, Texas
Made from 75% Orange blossom honey and 25%
squeezed oranges, this melomel is certainly an interesting twist. It is semi-sweet and quite tangy with notes
of grapefruit and honey. There's a touch of tartness but just enough sweetness to make it
pleasant. It has a very nice color as
well with a lovely deep golden yellow. This is definitely one you want to serve
chilled on a hot summer day or open during the holidays to pair with creamy
desserts and cranberry items. We think it will make a great addition to the
traditional holiday wines.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery - Princeton, New Jersey
This is a great
place to visit especially during the Fall.
With fresh fruit and veggies as well as events during festival season,
the whole family can have a day full of fun.
Alongside a working orchard and farm, is a winery and vineyard owned and
operated by Pam and Gary Mount. They
took their first adventure in grape vines back in 2003. Among the varietals planted are Chambourcin,
Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Terhune wines have been available for the
last four years. In addition to grape
wines, apple wines are also made here with apple cider. Additional grapes from other vineyards are
also sourced for wine making. The
tasting room is in a historic 150 year old barn. You can belly up to the wine tasting bar and
select from eleven wines. There are two
good whites to try. The Farmhouse white
is a white grape blend with a nice Chardonnay crispness, without being overly
oaked. The Chardonnay has just a touch of oak and a clean, crisp dry
finish. The Vidal Blanc is a nice smooth
wine with fruity aromas and flavors. For
reds, check out the Chambourcin. It is
medium bodied and dry with a fresh finish.
The Apple wine is actually a dry apple wine. It's crisp, aromatic and presents some citrus
notes. The Barn Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
(50/50). The tannins on this one are soft and it is one of the fuller bodied
varietals available. The Red Rooster is a sweeter red, but not too sweet and is
quite pleasant. The Cold Soil White is a
semi-sweet blend of Vidal Blanc and Orange Muscat. The two white grapes complement each other
quite nicely in this wine! After the
Cold Soil White, try the Porch Breeze.
It will be similar to the Cold Soil, but with Niagra grapes providing
that sweet blush shade. Strangely, it almost taste like strawberry wine! The Just Peachy wine is actually an apple
wine made from cider with peach essence added.
It will keep you happy and warm on those first chilly fall nights. End off with the Harvest Blue, a mix of blueberry
and apple, for a nice tart and crisp taste.
You'll be pleased with everything you try here. Take your time here when
visiting. The country side setting and
locally made wine is a wonderful setting!
Cheers!!
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