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Posted
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While the wineries in TX are young,  i won't say in their infancy, the wine trail here in TX is vibrant and better/bigger than i ever considered or gave it credit for.  A few weekends back we hopped around doing tastings and thoroughly enjoyed our time.  Whether it was the tasting rooms from non Texas wineries or the Texas wineries we were pleasantly surprised.  I couldn't help but feel a bit proud of what are state is producing.  If you haven't been in recent years, take the short trip west, you won't be disappointed.  


I agree take a trip west to......California or Oregon! The Texas wine scene is horribad. It’s astounding what people will pay for crappy Texas wine!
Posted (edited)

Opened a 2002 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon and 2003 Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon for Father's Day dinner with the family.  No pics, sorry, but both were really nice.  Fully mature but plenty of fruit and wonderful aromas.  Just well made wines.  One from Rutherford floor (Neal) and the other with mountain fruit (Pride).  The Pride had a little more red fruit flavors and aromas (brighter) than the Neal, but both were rock solid.

Edited by DDD Dad
  • Like 1
Posted
On 6/17/2018 at 8:30 PM, BearCountry11 said:

We loved Calais.  Did that one, William Chris, and Kuhlman to start the day and were very impressed.  Hilmy was also good.  After that our pallets were pretty done so we called it a day and ended with cocktails at The Stable (recommended).  

I liked the Stable, too.   nice little spot

Posted
On 6/17/2018 at 10:42 PM, milkman said:

 


I agree take a trip west to......California or Oregon! The Texas wine scene is horribad. It’s astounding what people will pay for crappy Texas wine!

 

horribad is a bit strong.   lots more serious winemakers and growers now than even just 5 years ago.   fairly rapid progress.   lots of shit in Cali, too, they just spend a lot of money on additives and manipulations to get that awesome spiked grape juice America so loves.

  • Like 1
Posted
3 hours ago, bularry1 said:

horribad is a bit strong.   lots more serious winemakers and growers now than even just 5 years ago.   fairly rapid progress.   lots of shit in Cali, too, they just spend a lot of money on additives and manipulations to get that awesome spiked grape juice America so loves.

I would expect the best wines in Texas to be grown near Marfa (if they have vineyards there).

The altitude and the fluctuations in temperature from day to night should really be good for the grape. Also, I feel like it's practically desert out there (rocky soil to boot), so irrigation could be used to manipulate the grape so that it would be almost impossible to have a bad vintage.

I'd think that fall thunderstorms and hail would be the biggest threat to the grapes, but I can't imagine why that wouldn't be the best wine region in Texas.

  • Like 1
Posted
4 hours ago, bularry1 said:

horribad is a bit strong.   lots more serious winemakers and growers now than even just 5 years ago.   fairly rapid progress.   lots of shit in Cali, too, they just spend a lot of money on additives and manipulations to get that awesome spiked grape juice America so loves.

Still nowhere near age quality of Napa.  And the high-end makers, especially the small production guys, are not using "additives and manipulations."  What wine are you referring to?

Posted
1 hour ago, Napoleon said:

I would expect the best wines in Texas to be grown near Marfa (if they have vineyards there).

The altitude and the fluctuations in temperature from day to night should really be good for the grape. Also, I feel like it's practically desert out there (rocky soil to boot), so irrigation could be used to manipulate the grape so that it would be almost impossible to have a bad vintage.

I'd think that fall thunderstorms and hail would be the biggest threat to the grapes, but I can't imagine why that wouldn't be the best wine region in Texas.

I think there is one tiny vineyard out there.  The overwhelming majority of grapes are grown in the High Plains.

Posted
4 hours ago, bularry1 said:

horribad is a bit strong.   lots more serious winemakers and growers now than even just 5 years ago.   fairly rapid progress.   lots of shit in Cali, too, they just spend a lot of money on additives and manipulations to get that awesome spiked grape juice America so loves.

Touche...To each their own.  Some of the hill country juice I tried years back was not drinkable.  I have heard decent things about Calais. 

Posted
13 hours ago, AustinMT said:

Still nowhere near age quality of Napa.  And the high-end makers, especially the small production guys, are not using "additives and manipulations."  What wine are you referring to?

First, I wasn't comparing any Texas wine to Spottswoode or stuff like that in Napa.   Secondly, regarding ageability, who knows, as that story has a long way to go to be told for Texas wines.  In general I would agree with you, but Texas wine making is in its infancy.

a lot of Napa wine, even some pretty high end stuff, has some heavy handed manipulation. There are a lot of processes to manipulate color, alc levels, acidity, etc.  Obviously, many don't, too, but the large scale production stuff I'm talking about.

Posted
12 hours ago, milkman said:

Touche...To each their own.  Some of the hill country juice I tried years back was not drinkable.  I have heard decent things about Calais. 

I've had a lot of awful hill country wine.  Just saying there are some producers doing much better work recently than even 5 years ago.  QPR still isn't great.

  • Like 2
Posted
7 minutes ago, bularry1 said:

First, I wasn't comparing any Texas wine to Spottswoode or stuff like that in Napa.   Secondly, regarding ageability, who knows, as that story has a long way to go to be told for Texas wines.  In general I would agree with you, but Texas wine making is in its infancy.

a lot of Napa wine, even some pretty high end stuff, has some heavy handed manipulation. There are a lot of processes to manipulate color, alc levels, acidity, etc.  Obviously, many don't, too, but the large scale production stuff I'm talking about.

Antifreeze-Wine-Screenshot.jpg

 

Posted
19 hours ago, milkman said:

Just another Saturday and Sunday Funday!

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I'm a big fan of Aubert - same ballpark as Marcassin and Kongsgaard in my opinion.  What vineyard and vintage is this one?

Posted
On 6/25/2018 at 6:15 PM, b_p said:

I'm a big fan of Aubert - same ballpark as Marcassin and Kongsgaard in my opinion.  What vineyard and vintage is this one?

2009 Lauren

Posted

I’m no wine snob. I drink a lot of red blends for less than $20 a bottle.  When I drink wine I like Sancerre.  I went to specs tonight and they had Pascal Jolivet on sale.  6 bottle price was $14.69 per.  I bought 30 bottles.  

Posted
10 hours ago, DDD Dad said:


Indeed. As is any sparkler.

I also like Vouvrays and other chenin blancs.

nothing beats a good muscadet with a raw oyster.   nothing

  • Like 1
Posted
On 7/8/2018 at 7:19 PM, Chewbacca said:

Holy shit, milkman even drinks wine on the beach!

Just spent almost a week camping down on Padre Island National Seashore, and drank pretty close to a boat-load of rose'.  It's so great for hot weather and seafood.

My new favorite value rose' is one called Zoe, from Greece.  

 

Domaine-Skouras-Rose-Zoe-750-ml_1.png

  • Like 1
Posted
14 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

The wine they call Zoe?

Indeed.  I was shocked, too.  Shows you just how powerful the H&G influence really is...

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted
On 7/8/2018 at 7:39 PM, HenryJames said:

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wait...your kid is white?

if you like the inexpensive trimbachs (or alsatian rieslings in general), splurge on a bottle of the clos st. hune. it is so fucking good.

  • Like 1
Posted

Austin Wine Alert:

Twin at 2222/Balcones has some 2009 Notre Vin Howell Mountain Cab for $149.  I usually don’t buy wine at Twin because they mark up significantly.  This is a good price, and a great wine.  Grabbed some today.

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