November Wine Club Selections
It’s holiday time, again, and that, along with cooler weather, is exciting. Although Corona virus issues linger on, winery tasting rooms are more open now and visitation has significantly increased as folks just need to get out and have some sort of entertainment and social interaction. 4.0 Cellars has enjoyed a busy and exciting October, and is now preparing for the November Wine Club releases and pick-up events. These November, 2020, Wine Club pick-up events will resemble those held in September with limited attendance (reservation only) and following Social Distancing guidelines.
In the meantime, you can stop by 4.0 Cellars to enjoy wine by the bottle and self-guided tastings at outside tables. Limited numbers of guided tastings at the wine bar are now being provided. The staff is also preparing delicious cheese / meat / fruit trays to enjoy with the wine. Wine club allocations and other purchases are still available via arm’s length transfers.
Be alert for the upcoming email that will announce the November, 2020, Wine Club pick-up events: Sundays, 8-Nov, 15-Nov, and 22-Nov. If you, as a Wine Club Member, would like to participate, follow the email guidance, and/or check the website (www.fourpointwine.com) to make reservations. We would love to share your company, socially distanced, of course, and remember you can enjoy the 30% discount on wine purchases on-site on Club Sundays or online during the week-days in between. Here are the November, 2020, Wine Club Release Selections.
Allocation Selection: R=Red, M=Mixed, W=White, S=Sweet
The Reds in this allocation are all new vintages of past favorites. Brennan Vineyards and winemaker Todd Webster are releasing their next volume of Super Nero, a delicious blend based on the Sicilian-origin grape, Nero d’Avola. Winemaker Jim Evans has created another version of Lost Oak Winery Holiday Red to complement so many of the wonderful foods on tap for the next few months. And, Kim McPherson is releasing a new bottling of Cinsault, a grape commonly used for blending or producing rosé wines. Kim has worked with fruit from the Seaton and Furgeson families of Farmhouse Vineyards to produce this Cinsault (san so) as a light and easy drinking varietal red wine most appropriate for the holiday table.
Brennan Vineyards Super Nero 2017 Texas R/M
Grape(s): Nero d’Avola 58%, Newburg Vyd, Comanche Cty; Carmenere 25%, Lahey Vyd, Brownfield, Terry Cty; Cabernet Sauvignon 8.5%, Soleado Vyd, Seagraves, Gaines Cty; & Alicante Bouschet 8.5%, Diamante Doble Vyds, Tokio, Terry Cty.
Cuvées fermented separately in SS tanks over 3-5 weeks; portions aged 12-24 months in mostly used American & French oak barrels; blended & bottled at 14.5% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY)
One of only two Texas vineyards growing Nero d’Avola, Newburg Vyd produces wonderful fruit for the base of this popular wine. Deep garnet color; aromas of cherries, bramble berries, leather, tobacco, cedar, and cinnamon with hints of violets & black peppercorns; flavors of ripe, cooked blackberries, brioche, and hazelnuts; lovely balance with a slight tannic grip on the finish; pair with beef, game birds, & pork tenderloins. This wine also goes great with TX BBQ!
Lost Oak Winery Holiday Red 2019 TX High Plains R/M
Grape(s): Merlot 50%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry County, and Ruby Cabernet 50%, Krick Hill Vyd, Levelland, TX, Hockley County
Fermented in SS tanks; aged 10 months in neutral oak barrels and partially in SS tank; blended & bottled at 14.3% ABV, 1% RS (just at the edge of dry & hint of sweet)
Dark cranberry red color; aromas of fresh berries with notes of vanilla and sweet tobacco; vibrant berry flavors bring a wave of fruit over the palate; smooth tannins on a silky finish. This versatile blend is made to complement traditional holiday fare – turkey or ham for Thanksgiving, tamales for Christmas Eve, & all your favorite side dishes & desserts. Happy Holidays!
McPherson Cellars Cinsault Farmhouse Vyds 2019 TX High Plains R
Grape(s): Cinsault 100%, Farmhouse Vyds, Brownfield, TX, Terry County
Fermented in SS tank for 10 days (30 days skin contact); aged 4 mo in oak barrels (10% new), 13.1% ABV, 0.2% RS (DRY)
Typically used as a blending grape or for rosé, Cinsault is well suited to the warm, dry Texas climate. The red wines are softer in character with fruity, aromatics – cherry, red currant, and even dark red watermelon. Kim McPherson has teamed with Farmhouse Vyds to bring this slightly oaked, easy drinking wine to your holiday table.
The Whites in this allocation are flavorful and refreshing, again good choices for your holiday meals and celebrations. Lost Oak Winery offers Quartet, a blend of 4 different grapes that pairs well with seafood, chicken, pork, or just for relaxed sipping. Brennan Vineyards includes in this allocation a Dry Rosé produced from Mourvèdre and Muscat of Alexandria. The wine is versatile, enjoyable to many wine drinkers, and will pair with lots of menu items. Kim McPherson has once again released a new version of one of his most successful wines, dry Chenin Blanc, that is loaded with bright apple and pear aromas and flavors.
Lost Oak Winery Quartet 2019 Texas W/M
Grape(s): Blanc du Bois 41%, Chardonel 27%, Malvasia Bianca 21%, all from Lost Oak Vineyard, Burleson, TX, plus Viognier 8%, Bingham Family Vineyards, Meadow, TX, Terry County
All cuvées separately fermented cold in SS tanks and aged an average 8 mo. in SS tanks; blended and bottled at 13.5% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY)
This blend of 4 grape varieties brings aromas of yellow grapefruit, lemon grass, and spring flowers; the flavors trend to tropical fruits – star fruit & sweet melon with subtle citrus notes; pairs well with seafood, chicken or pork, and is a great sipping wine for the holidays.
Brennan Vineyards Dry Rosé 2019 Texas W
Grape(s): Mourvèdre 70%, Newburg Vyd; & Muscat of Alexandria 30%, both sourced from Comanche Cty, TX
Fruit was directly pressed to minimize color and fermented separately in SS tanks; blended and bottled at 13.0% ABV, 0% RS (DRY).
Pale salmon color; aromas of cantaloupe, under-ripe strawberries, and pomegranate, with hints of white tea leaves & watermelon Jolly Rancher candy; fruit flavors of key lime, rhubarb, & strawberries with notes of white tea & gardenia; rich, full mouth-feel makes this an easy drinking wine that pairs well with most holiday fare.
McPherson Cellars Chenin Blanc 2019 TX High Plains W
Grape(s): Chenin Blanc 100%, Texas High Plains Vineyards
Fermented 27 days at 57oF; aged on its lees in SS tank; 12.8% ABV, 0.4% RS (essentially DRY)
Famous for Vouvray wines in France’s Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc has been grown successfully on the Texas High Plains for over 40 years. The wine offers aromas and flavors of tart apple and pear with a dry, crisp finish that pairs well with many foods.
The Sweets in this allocation serve well for those that like a bit of sugar in their wines. There are two wines from Lost Oak Winery. The Gewurztraminer 2019, boldly aromatic with lychee fruit, white cranberry and pineapple aromas and flavors may be the most versatile Thanksgiving wine available as it has only 1% residual sugar and will likely please all the wine drinkers at your table. Jim Evans also presents Lost Oak Winery Sweet Moscato with bright floral and tropical fruit character to satisfy those with an even “sweeter tooth.” Kim McPherson brings back the very popular Shy Blush, a pretty pinkish blend that offers lovely fruit and easy-drinking fun.
Lost Oak Winery Gewurztraminer 2019 TX High Plains S
Grape(s): Gewurztraminer 100%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry County
Fermented cold & aged in SS tanks; sweetened slightly & stabilized before bottling; 12.0% ABV, 1% RS (semi-sweet)
Very floral nose with hints of pineapple, pear, mango, and ginger; flavors reminiscent of lychee fruit and white cranberry; the wine is crisp with hints of lime on the bright, soft finish. This wine, with just a bit of sweetness and bold aromas/flavors, will pair with almost everything on your holiday menu.
McPherson Cellars Shy Blush 2017 TX High Plains S
Grape(s): A blend of Texas High Plains fruit
Fermented cold in SS tanks for 30 days; sweetened & stabilized before bottling; 11.5% ABV, 4.0% RS (sweet)
This is a blend that offers fruity, sweet, and refreshing aromas & flavors of cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate, with hints of tropical fruit; very smooth finish. Chill for fun, easy sipping. Don’t you just love the neat artistic label.
Lost Oak Winery Sweet Moscato 2019 TX High Plains S
Grape(s): Muscat Canelli 100%, Krick Hill Vineyards, Levelland, TX, Hockley County
Fermented cold and aged on the lees in SS tank; sweetened, stabilized, and bottled at 14.0% ABV, 3.5% RS (sweet)
Aromatic with tropical fruit & delicate florals; sweet, yet crisp flavors of guava, pear, and apricot; pair with spicy cuisine, smoked Gouda mac & cheese, or your favorite desserts.