Wine Club June, 2019
Rain, Rain, Rain! It seems like we have experienced more than our share of rain in May, even though it is historically the wettest month in the Texas Hill Country. This moisture and high humidity is keeping the grape growers busy as vines are growing at a rapid rate and fungal disease pressure seems to increase with each rainy spell. As we often say, Texas weather is weird. Temperatures are climbing and soon it will routinely hit the 90 degree mark which, to me, is a signal to chill, open and drink some delicious Texas white wines. The next 4.0 Wine Club Release parties are scheduled for Sundays, 2-Jun, 9-Jun, & 16-Jun. If you, as a Wine Club Member, would like to join the party and share time with lots of other club members, check the website (www.fourpointwine.com) and make your reservations. We would love to share your company, and remember that you can enjoy the 30% discount on wine purchases on-site on Club Sundays or online during the week-days in between.
For this Jun-2019 allocation, three very tasty reds are included. The Lavendar Skies blend includes Alicante Bouschet, one of only a few teinturier grapes that have red flesh in addition to red skin. The McPherson Sangiovese Reserve is a very special offering that used grapes from the original planting in Sagmor Vineyard in the 1970’s by Kim McPherson’s father. It represents a splash of Texas wine history.
4.0 Cellars Lavender Skies 2017 Texas (by Brennan Vineyards)
Grape(s): Montepulciano 45% & Alicante Bouschet 40%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry County; and Malbec 15% (2016 harvest), Comanche Vyd, Comanche, TX, Comanche County.
Each batch of grapes was fermented separately; Monte was barrel aged 6 mo, Alicante was SS tank aged 12 mo, & Malbec was barrel aged 18 mo; blended & bottled at 14.3% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY)
Dark ruby color; cherry, violet, rhubarb, & pipe tobacco aromas; black berry & ripe mulberry fruit flavors with toasted bread notes & hints of smoke; well-balanced acidity with sturdy, ripe tannins; pairs well with Texas steaks & most grilled meats
Lost Oak Winery Texas Trio 2017 Texas High Plains
Grape(s): A blend of Tempranillo 48% & Merlot 43%, Bingham Family Vyds, Meadow, TX, Terry Cty; plus Malbec 9%, Burning Daylight Vyds, Rendon, TX, Tarrant County
Fermented in SS tanks, blended & aged 16 mo in American & French oak barrels (mix of new & used); 15.0% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY)
Lovely garnet red hue; ripe cherry & blackberry fruit aromas & flavors; notes of earth & green peppercorns; lovely toasty oak character with a long, slightly tannic finish
McPherson Cellars Sangiovese Reserve 2016 Texas High Plains
Grape(s): Sangiovese 100% from Sagmor Vineyard near Lubbock, TX, in which Texas Wine Industry pioneer Doc McPherson planted the first Sangiovese vines in Texas
Fermented in SS tank for 10 days (27 days skin contact); aged 14 mo in French oak barrels (20% new), 13.9% ABV, 0.2% RS (DRY)
Characteristic cherry/berry aromas & flavors from the Texas High Plains AVA, but there’s also some “Old World” Sangiovese character with dry, smooth tannins & a pleasant, long finish that shows off the oak barrel treatment. Not just a good bottle of wine, but a little piece of Texas wine history.
The white wines for this allocation include a new vintage of Lost Oak Sauvignon Blanc from Burning Daylight Vineyards in Tarrant County. This wine has just gotten better each vintage as the vines have aged and the growers/winemakers have improved their efforts with this lovely grape. The McPherson Albarino pays tribute to this Spanish variety that offers crisp, refreshing flavors for summertime enjoyment.
Lost Oak Winery Sauvignon Blanc Burning Daylight Vyd 2018 Texas
Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc 100%, Burning Daylight Vyd, Rendon, TX, Tarrant County
Fermented cold; aged 7 mo. on its lees in SS tank; 14.5% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY)
Aromas of white peach & sweet green herbs; flavors of Anjou pear & pomelo fruit; beautifully balanced, slightly crisp finish; great paired with white meat or seafood dishes, mild cheeses, or just a warm afternoon. Missy & Dave Gudal grow some fantastic fruit for Lost Oak, & this wine certainly highlights that quality.
McPherson Cellars Albarino 2017 Texas (High Plains)
Grape(s): Albarino 100%, Castano Prado Vyds, Brownfield, TX, Terry County
Fermented 27 days at 56oF; aged in SS tank; 12.8% ABV, 0.3% RS (essentially DRY)
This delightful version of the famous Spanish Albarino grape,native to northwestern Spain, offers aromas & flavors of plantain, peach, mango, pear & apple with hints of lime zest. The texture is smooth & velvety with a clean, slightly crisp finish. Pairs well with grilled seafood or chicken, spicy Thai or Asian dishes, & Spanish paella.
McPherson Cellars Clara’s Tribute White 2017 Texas (High Plains)
Grape(s): A blend of Viognier, Roussanne, Muscat Canelli, & Chenin Blanc sourced from Texas High Plains AVA vineyards
Fermented 22 days at 58oF; aged in SS tank; 12.2% ABV, 0.9% RS (hint of sweetness)
A bright & refreshing tribute to Kim McPherson’s mom, Clara. This wine is soft on the palate, yet rich & well-balanced - another example that embodies the award-winning wines that Kim McPherson is so well-known for producing. Enjoy!
The three sweet wines for this allocation represent new versions of some past favorites. All the grapes for these wines were grown by Jet Wilmeth in his Diamante Doble Vineyard located west of Brownfield, TX, and just south of the village of Tokio, TX, in Terry County.
Lost Oak Winery Sweet Duet Diamante Doble Vyds 2017 TX High Plains
Grape(s): Riesling 50% & Orange Muscat 50%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry County
Fermented cold & aged in SS tanks; blended, sweetened, & stabilized before bottling; 12.0% ABV, 5% RS (sweet)
Light, sweet, & refreshing; aromas of ginger, ripe golden apples, & sweet pea flowers; flavors of nectarine & blood orange; pairs well with spicy Thai or Asian dishes, sesame ginger salad, butternut squash soup, & spicy dragon sushi roll.
Vintage Lane Hummingbird Rose’ 2017 TX High Plains (by Lost Oak Winery)
Grape(s): Muscat 90% & Merlot 10%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry County
Fermented cold in SS tanks; Merlot blended in to a lovely light red berry color, sweetened, & stabilized before bottling; 12.6% ABV, (sweet)
Aromas of raspberry flowers & summer roses; tastes reminiscent of sweet lemonade & berry popsicle; gentle finish with a touch of balancing acidity; wonderful wine for an afternoon by the pool or an evening on the deck for those with a sweet tooth.
Lost Oak Winery Rosa Blanca NV Texas High Plains
Grape(s): 50% Muscat from Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry County & 50% Muscat from Kirk Hill Vineyards
Fruit was mechanically harvested, fermented cold in SS tank; blended, sweetened & stabilized before bottling; 13.8% ABV
Wild raspberry flowers on the nose and a taste that is reminiscent of sweet summertime memories of lemonade and popsicle stands. Pair with lemon rosemary chicken, glazed ham, BBQ chicken, spicy pork kabobs, cheese pizza, Chicken panini, crab cakes and berry cobbler.