Tempranillo – 2018; Lewis Wines; Johnson City, Texas

The wonderful fruit harvested from Klein Vineyard Ranch in Blanco County proudly demonstrates the many dynamic aspects of the Texas Hill Country AVA. We recommend letting this one sit for a couple of hours before sipping, but feel free to sample every 30 minutes or so and experience its profile unfolding.  Initially, it is the bright acids upfront that greet you, followed by a mild chalk and fruit. Blackberry flavors will dominate the palate for this medium bodied red wine.  Eat well and drink well. Cheers!

www.lewiswines.com

Montepulciano – 2010 - Duchman Family Winery; Dripping Springs, Texas

Behold…another finely aged Texas red wine!  Holding on to this one did test our patience, but the reward was well worth it.  Let’s just say savoring every drop is an understatement for this jewel.  Those rich blackberry notes with hints of tobacco are still quite amazing. This red wine has a very nice and rich velvet like feel to it.  The smooth texture is incredible and those acids balance things out perfectly.  You will still want juicy meats to pair with those lingering tannins to make your mouth happy, so load up! If you have any bottles left in your cellar, consider yourself lucky. Feel free to enjoy one now as it is drinking nicely. Cin Cin!

www.duchmanwinery.com

Petite Sirah – 2016; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

Nothing like a rich deep flavor of a good Petite Sirah to end the day!  This 2016 vintage from 40+ year old vines is big, bold, and beautiful. Sourced from Shell Creek Vineyard near Pasa Robles, the opaque purple color and rich black cherry aromas will quickly ease you into that relaxed sipping mood.  Notes of pepper and smoke are present, but it is the berry fruit that will greet you in the most pleasant way. This full-bodied red wine has solid tannins to incite that perfect pucker and sensational mouthfeel.  This bottle has everything to help strengthen body and soul. Delightful. Cheers!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

Live Oak White – 2019; Slate Mill Wine Collective; Fredericksburg, Texas

This 1851 label white wine blend really helps bring out that much needed tropical sensation to help ease the stressful tensions.  What’s not to like about this blend of 35% Orange Muscat, 33% Malvasia Bianca, 32% Muscat Canelli?  Tantalizing citrus aromas are everywhere!  Grapefruit and orange flavors will just relish your taste buds. There is just the right balance of acids in this Texas High Plains fruit to keep the enjoyment going.  To good health of mind and body!

www.slatemillwinecollective.com

Maximus – 2016; Ab Astris Winery; Stonewall, Texas

This dark hued red wine blend packs maximum depth and flavor. Sourced from the Texas High Plains, the mixture of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Tannat, and 14% Petit Verdot really embodies the “big and bold” in red wine blends. Chocolate will certainly fill the air after the first pour.  It is relatively medium bodied and rewards your palate in blackberry and cherry notes with a little bit of fig.  The tannins still hold firm, so be prepared for that grippy and puckering finish.  There is just a touch of vanilla and a mild chalky sensation to round out the finish. Meat, cheese, nuts and more will pair nicely with this big bold red blend. Cheers!

www.abastriswinery.com

Miscela – 2015; Solaro Estate Winery; Dripping Springs, Texas

This lovely estate blend is a delightful treat to enjoy now and is drinking nicely. For the 2015 vintage, the 50/50 mix of Barbera and Montepulciano balances out well. Tobacco and chocolate notes will be the first note you pick up as the aroma envelopes your nose. Cherries and raspberries will dominate the fruit flavors in this beauty.  It is smooth and finishes quite elegantly. There is just a touch of oak as well to round out your sipping pleasure. This is a fantastic wine on its own, but pairs well with food too.  So nice to have a Texas wine with Barbera grapes in it. Salute!

www.solaroestate.com

La Connection – 2017; French Connection Wines; Hye, Texas

Finally, we get to try out the last of their first releases. Yes, it is a 2017…a fabulous year for Texas wines!  This High Plains sourced fruit is a 50/50 blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Kind of a purple to garnet in color, this two year old French Oak aged wine has a lot to show for it. Some delightful floral notes unfold upon the initial pour.  There are rich dark fruit flavors along with some red apple notes. Revealing after the first sip or two is a great mouth feel as well as an elegant finish. The tannins are a bit softer, and the acids are about moderate for this jewel.  There is still a lot of love to share about this wine, but instead of going on and on, drink them if you got them! You will not be disappointed. Santé!

www.frenchconnectionhye.com