McPherson Cellars Viognier is a stellar example of why Viognier is the perfect dry white wine grape for Texas. Think warm Texas evening under the oaks with a chilled wine stem brimming with flavors of citrus, honeysuckle and orange blossom with a touch of oak with a light Hill Country peach finish. This Viognier pairs wonderfully with spicy Thai food.
An excellent example of what will someday prove to be the red wine grape of Texas, Tempranillo. We loved the Fall Creek Vineyards ’08 but the’09 Tempranillo is even better. Grapes from the Salt Lick Vineyard behind the famed Austin Salt Lick BBQ restaurant consistently perform. Great flavors of rich dark cherry with a hint of smokey richness and soft tannins make this a delicious food friendly wine. The soft tannins create an approachable wine from the moment the cork is popped. Limited production, this Tempranillo is available from Fall Creek Vineyards and will be in a few selected Austi and San Antonio eateries.
William & Chris, a Texas Hill Country winery, is best known for their red wines but this crisp, golden and utterly dry Sémillon proves they can create great white wines, too. Think of a hot summer afternoon under shady Texas oaks or overlooking the lake while sipping a chilled glass filled with flavors of lemon grass and honeydew complimented by a lush mouth-feel. Now that’s a pretty Texas picture.
I tasted this wine shortly after it was bottled and again recently. It has aged into an excellent example to Texas Tempranillo. Good dark fruit flavors with supple tannins but gentle enough to be very food friendly. Tempranillo is a great red grape for Texas and Solaro Estate does it very well.
Maybe the best Texas Chardonnay I’ve had. Nice notes of fruit with a touch of butter and honey. Unfortunately, it is only available for purchase in the Pheasant Ridge tasting room in Lubbock, Texas.
