4.0 Cellars Wine Club Release – Apr-2019
It is time for another Wine Club Allocation release of delicious 4.0 Cellars wines. Texas springtime weather, as expected, has been weird! We in the Hill Country barely dodged a very damaging cold snap recently that would have damaged a lot of the peach and grape production for 2019. However, reports from growers indicate that damage was minimal. Now we just have to worry about any other bad weather, freezes or hail, over the next month or two.
We are excited about the wines for this April, 2019, release. In all three categories there will be one wine from each of our owner-partners: Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars. The eagerly anticipated Brennan Winemaker’s Choice, Volume V, red blend is a special offering, along with a new vintage of Lost Oak Cabernet Sauvignon and an EVS Windblown red blend from McPherson. The three white wine releases will help make the transition from spring to summer a most pleasant one. And, in the sweet category, a very special wine from McPherson Cellars will be the Chansa Solera Reserva Single Cream Sherry N.V. from Texas High Plains grapes.
The Wine Club Pickup Parties are scheduled on Sundays: 31-Mar, 7-Apr, & 14-Apr. If you 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 and (on-line) during the weeks in between.
Brennan Vineyards Winemaker’s Choice Vol V N.V. Texas
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon 58% (22% Newburg Vyd 2016 & 36% Soleado Vyd 2017, Seagraves, TX, Gaines Cty), Cabernet Franc 25% 2017 Blackwater Draw Vyd, and Carmenere 17% 2017 Lahey Vyd, both near Brownfield, TX, Terry Cty. Fermented with 12-day skin contact; aged in oak barrels-18 mo for the 2016 CS, 8-9 mo for the 2017 cuvées; blended, bottled at 14.5% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY). Dark ruby color; cherry, violet, rhubarb, & pipe tobacco aromas; cherry, black berry & black currant fruit flavors with notes of brioche & five spice blend; well-balanced acidity with sturdy, ripe tannins; pairs well with Texas steaks & most grilled meats
Lost Oak Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Texas
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon 91% (64% Bingham Family Vyds, Meadow, TX, Terry Cty, & 27% Triple D Vyds, Tokio, TX, Terry Cty), Petit Verdot 9% from Sprayberry Vyd, Midland, TX, Midland Cty. Fermented in SS tanks, blended & aged 16 mo in American & French oak barrels (mix of new & used); 13.2% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY). Lovely garnet red hue; baked caramel apple, rich mulberry jam & notes of sweet pipe tobacco; velvety tannins on a lingering finish
EVS Windblown Red 2017 Texas High Plains (by McPherson Cellars)
Grape(s): Mourvèdre 24%, Carignan 23%, Petite Sirah 22%, Cinsault 21%, & Grenache 10% from Lahey Vyds & Farmhouse Vyds, Brownfield, TX, Terry County. Fermented in SS tank for 10 days (30 days skin contact); aged 8 mo in French oak barrels (18% new), 13.8% ABV, 0.4% RS (essentially DRY). This blend is inspired by southern France, but is a true reflection of the Texas High Plains AVA where three essential elements, Earth Vine Sky, come together in bright sun, arid climate, and the almost constant wind. This wine is peppery, with profound dark berry fruit, accented by silky tannins and delicate oak nuances. Just lovely!
Lost Oak Winery Texas Duet 2017 Texas High Plains
Grape(s): Riesling 50% and Orange Muscat 50% from Diamante Doble Vyds outside Tokio, TX, Terry Cty. Fermented cold; aged in SS tank; 12.0% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY). Light-bodied, crisp wine with lovely aromas of white & yellow flowers; pomelo & other citrus fruit flavors coat the tongue leading to a lingering finish; enjoy with soft cheeses, smoked salmon, and spinach-mushroom white pie pizza.
McPherson Cellars Les Copains White 2017 Texas (High Plains)
Grape(s): Viognier 45%, Roussanne 35%, Picquepoul Blanc 10%, Marsanne 5%, & Grenache Blanc 5% from Texas High Plains vineyards in Terry County. Fermented 23 days at 59oF; aged in SS tank; 13.3% ABV, 0.4% RS (essentially DRY)
Les Copains, French for “buddies”, brings together rich aromas & flavors from these Rhone-style grapes that grow so well on the arid, sunny, sandy, high-elevation Texas High Plains. This wine is soft on the palate, yet rich & well-balanced - another example that embodies the award-winning wines that Kim McPherson is notorious for producing. Enjoy this wine with your buddies!
Brennan Vineyards Christy’s Cuvée 2015 Texas
Grape(s): Viognier 78.5% Newburg Vyd, Comanche County, TX, and Muscat of Alexandria 21.5%. Fermented at 52 degrees; aged in SS tank; 14.3% ABV, 0.1% RS (DRY). Proceeds from this wine support a medical fund for Chirsty Wells, former wine club director at Brennan Vyds, who is battling breast cancer for a second time. Delightfully fresh melon & floral aromas; grilled peach & nectarine flavors with subtle honey notes; bright acidity frames a crisp, clean finish.
Chansa Solera Reserva Single Cream Sherry NV TX High Plains (by McPherson Cellars)
Grape(s): Blend of High Plains grapes – mostly Chenin Blanc with French Colombard. 17.8% ABV, 11% Residual Sugar; a portion of this non-vintage wine is 7 years old. Dark color; nutty aromas & warm oak tones with perfectly balanced sweetness highlight this true Spanish style cream Sherry. Made in a solera system style with barrels warmed by the sun year-round and rotated from bottom to top for consistency (some barrels are 12-13 yrs old). This is a special treat from world-renowned winemaker Kim McPherson.
Vintage Lane Life’s a Peach N.V. TX High Plains (by Lost Oak Winery)
Grape(s): Riesling 26% & Gewurztraminer 26%, Diamante Doble Vyds, Tokio, TX, Terry County; Orange Muscat 24% & Muscat Canelli 24%, Krick Hill Vyds, Levelland, TX, Hockley County. Fermented cold in SS tanks; blended, sweetened, & flavored before bottling; 12.3% ABV, (sweet). Aromas of ripe peaches, apricot, pear, & honeysuckle; flavors of honey, nectarine, & pineapple with notes of citrus zest mid-palate; nicely balanced sweetness & acidity on the finish for those with a sweet tooth.
Austin Street Three White Chicks 2016 Texas (by Brennan Vyds)
Grape(s): Chardonnay 56% & Muscat of Alexandria 29%, Newburg Vineyard, Newburg, TX, Comanche County; Malvasia Bianca 15%, Farmhouse Vineyards, Meadow, TX, Terry County, Texas High Plains . Fruit was mechanically harvested, separately fermented cold in SS tanks; blended, stabilized & bottled, 13.9% ABV, 2.75% RS (semi-sweet). Pale straw color with green hues; aromas of honeydew melon, pears & pineapple plus floral notes of gardenia & jasmine; pear, pineapple & lychee fruit on the palate with anise & honey notes carry to a well-balanced finish