The Magic of Mourvedre: Lost Draw Cellars

October 31, 2020 by Monica Jones in pairings, holidays, Texas Wines, reviews, wine

Since 2014, partners and vintners Troy Otterman, Andy Timmons and Andrew Sides have transformed Lost Draw Cellars from a family-owned winery into a vital source of quality grapes for several Texas wineries. While making seriously great wines that highlight the terrior of the Texas High Plains, Lost Draw Cellars continues to produce real Texas wine grown from vineyards like La Pradera Vineyards near Lubbock, TX. I was first introduced to this winery through my friends at William Chris Vineyards after winemakers Chris Bundrett and Andrew Sides teamed up on a convienent can of rose wine called Sway Rose. I've been a fan of the brand every since. If you've been here before you're familiar with Mourvedre, a popular grape varietal hailing from Old World regions in Spain which equally grows well in warm climates like Texas. Cheers to uncorking the magic found in this bottle. Don't forget to pickup the latest 2018 vintage from Lost Draw Cellars HERE.

The Grapes: 100% Mourvedre. 13.8 %ALC. The 2017 vintage was aged in french oak for 20 months which helps to soften the tannins. The grapes were sourced from vineyards within the High Plains of Texas. Grapes grown in this climate can make wines of great character with excellent tannins and aromas.

The Notes: Medium to full-bodied. It's smooth, with rich flavors and a vibrant, deep plum color. The nose is definitely on the savory side with herbal notes, I even picked up some leather. On the palate this full-bodied red bursts with dark fruit, blackberry, plum and spice.

The Pairings: Enjoy this food friendly wine with a variety of your favorite Texas staple dishes like enchiladas, brisket toastadas, grilled t-bone steaks or sip it on a cool fall evening on its own. I paired it with brisket bruschetta, a twist on a small bite classic. I loved how this wine complimented the fatty brisket and elevated the flavors of the wine on the finish.

The Sweetest Taboo: McPherson Cellars Tre Colore

October 28, 2020 by Monica Jones in food, holidays, pairings, Texas Wines, wine

“You give me the sweetest taboo/That's why I'm in love with you”

Don’t be confused this is an ode to two of life’s sweetest temptations- Chocolate and red wine. As we prepare to say farewell to another Texas Wine Month we're sharing our love for this decadent pairing of chocolate and wine in celebration of National Chocolate Day. I've been dying to try McPherson Cellars infamous Tre Colore, a unique fusion of three grapes well known for growing within the Rhone Valley, as well as Texas. I figured this would be the perfect time to see how well it holds up against these irresistible confections. I decided to pair the Tre Colore with an assortment of sweet vices by making a chocolate dessert charcuterie board. Dark chocolate much like red wine has a reputation of having amazing health benefits that enhance your energy and nourish your body. McPherson Cellars extended their Southern hospitality to me and shipped a few bottles to keep the party going during Texas Wine Month.

McPherson Cellars- Tre Colore 13.1% ALC $18 Purchase HERE or at your local Total Wine & More.

The Notes: Deep mulberry red to garnet in color. The aromas are complex and expressed with fruits like dark cherry and plum. On the palate the wine expands to highlight notes of black pepper, smoke and dark red berries. The earthy tannins are subtle in this three grape blend which strikingly reminds me of another Texas favorite, Mourvedre.

The Grapes: Cinsault 45%, Counoise 45%, Viognier 10%

The versatility of Cinsault makes it the perfect base for this creation, it lends its bright red hue and black pepper notes to the bottle. The Counoise grape lifts the aromatic profile bringing in aromas of blueberries and cherries. On its own Counoise is full of fruitiness and vibrant acidity, but blended with the other varietals helps to round out the fruit flavors. Viognier, a dry full-bodied white grape adds a touch of silkiness to the 2017 vintage with its delicate floral and tropical fruit notes. All three of these grapes grow well under the Texas sun.

The Pairing:

I love approachable reds that are still intriguing. While this red complements well with Texas staples like BBQ and Tex-Mex, its pleasurable on its own. The magical merger of chocolate and assorted red fruits contrast the smokiness in the wine producing a sweet and silky mouthfeel. I’d even pair it with some fatty red meats like a ribeye steak or pork which helps to highlight the tannins.

Shopping List for Chocolate Dessert Charcuterie Board:

Dark Chocolate bars

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars

Yogurt covered Almonds

Lotus Biscoff Cookies

Chocolate Hummus

½ Lb Strawberries

Dark chocolate Granola bites

Blackberries or Blueberries

Dried Cranberries

Apple slices

Cashews

Dried Figs

Red/Purple Floral garnish

The "T" is for Texas: Llano Estacado Reserve Cellar Tempranillo

October 13, 2020 by Monica Jones in holidays, pairings, food, wine, Texas Wines, reviews, winederlust

Fall has always been my favorite time of year. It’s the perfect season to get cozy with a good bottle of wine, fall scents, a boo and a cheesy rom-com. As a lover of Texas wine it’s my duty to remind my fellow wine-o’s about the unofficial holiday designed to please our palates during this season. Annually, Texas Wine Month kicks off in October where locals and tourists from all over the world are encouraged to sip and support the more than 400 wineries and tasting rooms throughout the state. This period of time is promoted to wine enthusiasts to increase wine sales and develop a deeper connection to the beauty and simplicity of Texas winemaking. West Texas is known for its thriving ag community, however the wine industry would like a word. With over 8 million acres the region is mostly rural with dry summers and cool evenings. The flat terrain also helps to produce a range of grapes that are best suited for growing in Texas. Together, these are good indicators of the regions dynamics and uniqueness in winemaking.

Llano Estacado Winery is one of Texas’ longest running and premium wineries known for laying the foundation for the style of Texas winemaking. Producing world-class wines and remaining versatile has kept them at the top of their game for over four decades. With more than 60 wines in their portfolio Llano shows no sign of slowing down. I decided to kick off the unofficial holiday by pouring a bottle of their Tempranillo from the wineries Reserve Cellar collection. The collection is home to a thoughtfully curated selection of small batch wines. You’re probably familiar with Tempranillo and its origin of Spain however don’t be fooled the “ T ” in Tempranillo stands for Texas. In recent years it’s been named as the signature grape from the thriving Texas wine industry. If you’re a fan of earthy Cabs you’ll likely love this varietal. This medium to full-bodied red is filled with a generous amount of tannins, plum, red berries and some oak which leaves a textured finish on the palate. I also picked up hints of almond and vanilla. At 13.9% this wine is pretty high in alcohol content so be mindful when trying to consume the entire bottle during cuffing season. I paired this wine with a meaty portion of slow cooked oxtails, garlic mashed potatoes and parmesan asparagus. This hearty dish was perfect for my fall comfort craving and complimented the rich Tempranillo well. I’d also recommend entrees that are seasoned with paprika for added spice. If you’re a true Texan, you’ll have no issues pairing your pours with beef tostadas, chorizo stew or even chicken and sausage gumbo. Llano relies on a blend of red grapes with 79% Tempranillo, 10% Tannat, 6% Mourvèdre and 5% Graciano. The bold blend of reds are perfectly good on their own, but even better together especially grown on Texas soils. Tasting rooms in Texas are slowly beginning to open their doors thanks to Governor Abbott loosening the reigns amid the pandemic, but you can still pickup a bottle to add to your collection HERE or from your local Total Wine & More. Be sure to follow @Llanowine on Instagram or visit www.llanowine.com to stay updated on special events throughout Texas Wine Month.

Llano Estacado Reserve Cellar Tempranillo

13.9% ALC

79% Tempranillo, 10% Tannat, 6% Mourvèdre and 5% Graciano

$25