Wine Club Release – Nov-2023
It sure seems like a short fall here in the Texas Hill Country and football season is in full swing. This brisk winter storm front has been a surprise but we can be thankful for the rain. It is now time for the TWC November Wine Club Release events – scheduled for Sundays, November 5th and November 12th with sessions at 11:00-1:30 and 2:30-5:00 each Sunday. 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. However, 12 Bottle or Case Club Members may reserve up to 2 complimentary tickets! Reservations are required and you can 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 food bite options available to taste with 3 selected wines. Musical entertainment will be provided. 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 November allocation. There will be three reds, three whites, and three sweet wines – see listing below. Please make your reservations to enjoy the wine, food, fun, and fellowship at TWC.
Allocation Selection: R=Red, M=Mixed, W=White, S=Sweet
The red wines in this release will include the following.
McPherson Cellars Counoise 2022 TX High Plains R
Grape(s): Counoise 100% from Farmhouse Vineyards, Terry County
Machine harvested fruit was fermented in SS tank at 60-85oF over 1 week with overall 17-day skin contact; aged in SS tank to retain brighter fruit flavors; bottled @ 13.1% ABV, 0.2% RS (dry)
Counoise (coon-wahz) is a lesser-known red grape hailing from the Rhône Valley in southern France. It is lighter in body and color and most often used for either blending or the production of rosé wines. Like most Rhône varieties it grows well in Texas and is becoming more popular in varietal bottlings. Counoise fits nicely into McPherson Cellars’ portfolio of Mediterranean grapes. Kim McPherson and Spenser Igo take advantage of the bright fruit flavors, moderate tannins, and natural acidity to produce this easy-drinking red with bright berry and red plum aromas and flavors followed by a hint of white pepper on the finish. Pair this with charcuterie platters, chef salads, baked brie with strawberry jam and pecans, goat cheese bruschetta, or enjoy a glass on the patio on a pleasant fall/winter evening.
Brennan Vineyards Winemaker’s Choice Vol VIII N.V. Texas R/M
Grape(s): This proprietary blend contains Tempranillo, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Ruby Cabernet from the 2020, 2021, and 2022 vintages.
Fruit was mechanically harvested; each cuvée was fermented separately in SS tank and aged between 10-34 months in used American and French oak barrels; the final blend was bottled @ 13.6% ABV, 0% RS (dry)
Brennan’s new winemaker Kevin Spivey followed the tradition established by former winemaker Todd Webster using cuvées from a selected barrel program to blend an upper-level non-vintage wine. In addition to tart red cherry, red plum, black currants, and boysenberry jam aromas and flavors, there are hints of cedar cigar box, cinnamon, and vanilla spice. Notes of green olive and calcareous minerality nod to its Hill County origin. This pairs well with roasted pork and rosemary potatoes, coffee-crusted filets, truffle French fries, and a fine cigar. And of course. it goes great with Texas BBQ.
Lost Oak Winery Holiday Red N.V. American R/M
Grape(s): A blend of Texas and California grapes – (CA) Petite Sirah 46%, Cabernet Sauvignon 11%, Petit Verdot 11%, plus (TX) Field Blend 26% and Petit Verdot 6% from TX High Plains.
Machine harvested fruit; various cuvées fermented avg. 10 days in SS tank at 85oF; wine pressed from the skins and aged 16 months in used oak barrels; blended, sweetened, stabilized, and bottled @14.4% ABV, 0.8% residual sugar (just a hint of sweetness)
This popular Lost Oak red blend is back for the holiday season. Color of dark plums; aromas of cranberry, black currant and hints of spice and creamy vanilla; flavors of blackberry and boysenberry with a touch of spiced fig. A moderately tannic finish with notes of sugar plum. This traditional offering with just a bit of sweetness, pairs beautifully with your holiday fare – turkey, ham, dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and those delicious pumpkin and pecan pies. Also, pairs with blackberry jam and goat cheese bruschetta, Christmas Eve tamales, and dark chocolate mousse sprinkled with dark cocoa powder. You might even consider prime rib with this wine!
The white wines in this release will include the following.
Texas Wine Collective Dry Muscat 2022 TX High Plains W
Grape(s): Muscat Blanc 100%, from Lahey Vineyards, Brownfield, Terry Cty
Machine harvested fruit fermented 25 days at 56oF in SS tank; aged in SS tank with no malolactic transformation; bottled @ 12.7% ABV, 0.2% RS (dry)
Muscat varieties grow well in Texas and winemakers can make dry or sweet wines depending on their style and the fruit characteristics. Muscat tends to have floral aromas and flavors with melon, apple, and white peach notes. This wine has good acidity and will accompany many food options and serve as a fun sipping wine. Pair with most seafood, Oriental cuisine, stuffed mushroom caps, white cheese fondue, and classic chef or cobb salads.
Brennan Vineyards Viognier (Black Label) 2022 TX High Plains W/M
Grape(s): Viognier 100% from Newburg Vineyard, Comanche, TX, Comanche County
Mechanically harvested, pressed, fermented cool at 52oF; aged in neutral American and French oak barrels; bottled @ 14.1% ABV, 0% RS (dry)
Viognier is considered the signature grape for Brennan Vineyards. This light golden wine offers aromas and flavors of golden apples, poached pears, apricots, honeycomb, and sweet hay. The wine is fruit forward with nuances of vanilla and caramel from oak aging. Pair with warm brie and bacon spinach dip, sausage-stuffed mushrooms, shrimp fettucine, classic chicken pot pie, and white chocolate lemon tart. This Viognier will also be a great accompaniment with turkey or ham, green bean casserole, and cornbread dressing at your Holiday meals.
Lost Oak Winery Roussanne Reserve 2022 TX High Plains W
Grape(s): 83% Roussanne from Six Harts Vineyard, Tokio, Terry/Yoakum County, and 17% Chardonel from JLor Vineyard, Burleson, Johnson County
Machine harvested fruit; fermented cold in SS tanks; aged for 9 months in 1 year old French oak barrels (40%), neutral oak barrels (55%), and stainless steel tank (5%); blended and bottled @ 14% ABV. 0% RS (dry)
Winemakers Jim Evans and Angela Chapman enjoy working with Roussanne and producing this reserve bottling with attractive aromas of vanilla, spice, and buttered toast that are highlights of oak aging. Flavors include dried apple, vanilla, ginger, with notes of sage and lavender. This fuller-bodied white pairs well with bacon spinach artichoke dip, grilled swordfish, grilled oysters on the half shell with lemon and horseradish, cheese enchiladas with avocado cream, and passion fruit crème brulée.
Roussanne grape skins have a reddish brown hue when ripe, thus the grape name is derived from the French word Roux meaning rusty or russet color.
For our TWC Wine Club members who prefer sweeter wines, the following selections are offered.
Lost Oak Winery Red Moscato 2022 TX High Plains S
Grape(s): Mostly Muscat Blanc with just enough Ruby Cabernet added to achieve a vibrant raspberry color
Machine harvested fruit was fermented at cold temperature and aged in SS tank (no malolactic transformation); blended, sweetened, stabilized, and bottled @ 13.8% ABV, 2% RS (semi-sweet)
This is a lighter, less sweet wine to go along with Dolce Rouge. Aromas of red delicious apples, wild raspberries, and a hint of nutmeg. Flavors of apples, mango, and blackberry on the palate. The finish is soft with echoes of raspberry fruit. Serve chilled for a refreshing aperitif or pair with fruit and sharp cheddar skewers, spicy ramen with beef, sun dried tomato gnocchi, baked potato topped with chili and cheese, and strawberry macarons drizzled with dark chocolate.
Lost Oak Winery Holiday White 2022 TX High Plains S
Grape(s): Trebbiano 54% from Six Harts Vineyard, and Riesling 46% from Diamante Doble Vineyards, both near Tokio, TX
Mechanically harvested fruit; fermented cold; fermentation stopped to retain some of the residual grape sugar; aged in SS tank; blended, stabilized and bottled @ 13.8% ABV, 2.5% RS (semi-sweet)
This Trebbiano-Riesling blend is light and crisp, and like its red counterpart will accompany your holiday meals and festivities. Aromas of candied pear and cinnamon apple lift from the glass. Flavors of clover honey and spiced fig jam with hints of crystallized ginger and subtle minerality follow to the finish. Pair with all your holiday meals and desserts, or warm with spices and apple cider for mulled white wine.
Texas Wine Collective Sweet Muscat 2022 TX High Plains S
Grape(s): Muscat Blanc 100%, from Lahey Vineyards, Brownfield, Terry Cty
Machine harvested fruit fermented 25 days at 56oF in SS tank; aged in SS tank with no malolactic transformation; sweetened, stabilized, and bottled @ 12.7% ABV, 4.2% RS (sweet)
This sweeter Muscat is balanced by crisp acidity for easy drinking and pairing with many foods. There are floral aromas and flavors with melon, apple, and white peach notes. The acidity allows this to pair well with spicy Oriental or Mexican (seafood like Acapulco shrimp fajitas) cuisine, simple seafood dishes like shrimp scampi, classic salads with fruit – apples, pears, grapes, etc. – and lighter desserts like pineapple upside down cake or carrot cake.