Wine Club Release – Jun-2023

It is summertime, folks. Even though temperatures have stayed below 90 degrees and there has been some welcome rain, those searing hot days with lots of bright sunshine are just around the corner. That means it is time for the TWC June Wine Club Release events – scheduled for Sundays, June 4 and June 11 with sessions scheduled at 11:00-1:30 and 2:30-5:00. Reservations are required and wine club members are encouraged to sign into the website at www.texaswinecollective.com to select your session. Four adults are allowed per wine club membership to attend one of the sessions.

 

Now open to ALL wine club members and their guests is a Bonus Hour, 1:30-2:30, that will feature a sensory experience highlighting wine aromas. This experience costs $25/person – 12 Bottle or Case Club Members may reserve up to 2 complimentary tickets! Learn more from the website.

 

The format will be the same as for past wine club pick-up parties. All release selections will be available for tasting, and there will be small bite food options available to taste with 3 selected wines. All Wine Club Members, including their guests, will enjoy 30% off all wine purchases, so come ready to restock your cellar. Folks are welcome to bring snacks or picnic fare, but NO outside alcohol will be allowed.

 

Wines from each of the Texas Wine Collective winery partners will be included in the June allocation. There will be three reds, one rosé, two dry whites, and three sweet wines – see listing below. Please make your reservations and join the fun and fellowship.

 

Allocation Selection: R=Red, M=Mixed, W=White, S=Sweet

 

The red wines in this release will include the following.

Brennan Vineyards Buffalo Roam Reserve 2019 Texas                                      R/M

Ever since the first Buffalo Roam release (2014), this blend has traditionally been the home for much of the Syrah grown by Brennan. The concept is based on red blends traditionally produced with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre in the Rhône Valley of southern France. A wider range of grape varieties often shows up in Buffalo Roam bottlings. This 2019 Reserve contains Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Franc. This garnet-colored red offers aromas of dark cherries and blackberry cobbler with notes of mahogany wood, saddle leather, and Mexican vanilla. The wine is rich with dark fruits, luxurious spices, smooth mouthfeel, balanced acidity, and a medium tannin structure. Pair with pork carnitas topped with garden fresh pico, New York strips, and rich cheeses, like Veldhuizen caraway cheddar.

Lost Oak Winery Mourvèdre 2021 TX High Plains                                                R/M

This rich red from winemakers Jim Evans and Angela Chapman shows off spicy aromas of cardamom, white peppercorn, tart cherry, and sweet tobacco with some gentle floral notes. The flavors are wild berry and black tea with notes of expresso and dark cocoa that linger on the medium-bodied finish with ripe tannins. Pair with cream cheese tart, linguine with parmigiano and butter sauce, rosemary chicken salad, beef and broccoli stir fry, and lavender milk chocolate truffles.

McPherson Cellars Tre Colore 2022 TX High Plains                                                R

This easy drinking red is a blend of Cinsault and Carignan with a bit of Viognier. Kim McPherson and Spenser Igo blend these three Rhône grapes into a bright, fruit-forward red for summertime sipping. With bright cherry, berry, and plum aromas and flavors without any oak nuances, this wine works slightly chilled with picnic fare, burgers, hot dogs, or grilled salmon.

 

The white wine selections for June will include the following.

Brennan Vineyards Field Blend Rosé 2022 Texas                                               W/M

This brightly colored rosé was produced from all RED grapes: Ruby Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Nero d’Avola, co-fermented at cool temperatures with minimum skin contact to keep color low and aromas and flavors high. It is common in many parts of the wine world to partner various red grape varieties from the same vineyard to produce field blend wines, especially rosé wines with a bit more body and character. We do that in Texas with great flair. Pair this wine with most seafood, bagel club sandwiches, charbroiled salmon or shrimp, white cheese fondue, fried okra, and classic chef or cobb salads.

McPherson Cellars Picpoul Blanc 2022 TX High Plains                                         W

This rather unusual variety that originated in southern France has adapted well to the Texas High Plains. The wines usually are crisp with bright acidity, living up to the French nickname of “lip stinger.” The grapes were fermented cold in SS tanks to highlight the fruit aromas and flavors of key lime, Meyer lemon, and green apple. This summertime sipper pairs well with most seafood – oysters, mussels, swordfish, clams, grilled salmon, and shrimp fettucine.

McPherson Cellars Les Copains White 2019 TX High Plains                                 W

Les Copains in French means friends or partners. Kim McPherson and Spenser Igo have created a a stellar blend by partnering 5 white Rhône grapes: Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne, Piquepoul, and Grenache Blanc, all sourced from Texas High Plains vineyards. These grapes have become well-established on the Texas High Plains and are a key part of the McPherson portfolio. This wine is fuller-bodied, slightly crisp with aromas and flavors of peach, apple, citrus, orange melon, and ripe pear. It is refreshing with well-balanced acidity. Pair with simply prepared seafood dishes, baked brie with peach preserves and pecans, mild cheeses, and grilled chicken or pork.

 

For those that enjoy sweeter wines, the June selection will include the following.

Lost Oak Winery Rosa Blanca 2022 TX High Plains                                                 S

This semi-sweet (4.0% RS) blend of Muscat Blanc and Ruby Cabernet is similar to April’s Red Moscato, but with less Ruby Cab in the blend. The bouquet is cheerful and bright, brimming with strawberry, peach, and apricot fruit aromas. This is a wine to enjoy chilled by the pool, on the porch watching the sunset, or for an afternoon picnic. Pair with melon skewers, avocado spread on buttered brioche, bacon artichoke dip, sweet baby back ribs, maple flavored sausages, and strawberry or peach shortcake.

McPherson Cellars La Diosa Sangria NV TX High Plains                                        S

Many of us enjoy Sangria for summertime sipping. This bottling produced from a blend of Texas High Plains grapes saves the effort of making your own. Served extensively at Kim’s wife’s La Diosa Cellars restaurant and bar across the street from McPherson Cellars winery, this offers aromas and flavors of tropical fruits plus cherry, strawberry, plum, and ripe peach. The wine is medium-bodied, jammy, with hints of dark fruits on the long juicy finish. Pair it with feta and fig crostini, cheese and fruit plates, berries on pound cake, or even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

McPherson Cellars Shy Blush 2022 TX High Plains                                                S

This is a newly created blend of an old TWC favorite. Several varieties from the Texas High Plains were blended to provide a fruity, sweet (4% RS), bright pink in color, refreshing summertime wine. Aromas and flavors include tropical fruits, red cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate. The wine is medium-bodied, sweet, and slightly crisp at the finish. Pair with spicy cuisine – Thai, Indian, or Mexican, soft cheeses, lemon cake or cookies, and fresh fruit with whipped cream.