Wine Club, June 2020
What happened to March, April, and May-2020? The Corona virus pandemic and quarantine that essentially shutdown businesses, including winery tasting rooms, was certainly a shock no one particularly anticipated or enjoyed. 4.0 Cellars did what was possible during this strange time, selling wine on-line for shipping and curbside pickup. The April 2020 Wine Club pickup party was cancelled, and folks were encouraged to do a driveby to pickup of their wine allocations through arm’s length transfers from a few eager staff members camped out in the parking lot in front of the tasting room.
Eventually Gov. Abbott began to announce a loosening of the quarantine rules, and just this past weekend allowed winery tasting rooms to open under restricted conditions. Saturday, 23-May, was a very busy day at 4.0 Cellars as loads of folks were in the Fredericksburg area celebrating Memorial Day weekend, and just thrilled at the chance to be out. Upcoming Wine Club pickup events have been planned and will take place (unless more restrictions are implemented) on the spacious grounds at 4.0 Cellars on the first three Sundays in June - 7, 14, and 21. If you, as a Wine Club Member, would like to participate, check the website (www.fourpointwine.com) for guidance and make reservations. We would love to share your company, socially distanced, of course, and remember, not only can you register and bring guests, 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 June 2020 Wine Club Release Selections.
The Reds in this allocation offer a lot of flavor for our Wine Club members. These are all new vintages of wines enjoyed in past allocations. Brennan Vineyards Tempranillo 2017 Texas is a blend from three different vineyards, including a bit of Syrah. Lost Oak Winery Meritage 2018 TX High Plains once again highlights a delicious blend of red grapes used to make the famous wines of Bordeaux. And, the McPherson Cellars EVS Windblown Red 2018 TX High Plains is a wonderful blend of Rhone heritage grapes, made in a Chateauneuf-du-Pape style, to follow the popular 2017 vintage.
Brennan Vineyards Tempranillo 2017 Texas
Grape(s): Tempranillo 87%, mix of Newburg Vyd, Comanche Cty, & (Ossowski’s) Nubbin Ridge Vyd, Cross Plains, TX, Callahan Cty; Syrah 13%, Lahey Vyds, Terry Cty, TX
This was a challenging vintage, but one of the best ever in Texas. Machine harvested, fermented cold in SS tanks, T-73 yeast, about 4 weeks maceration, aged in mix of American & French oak barrels (18 mo), 14.7% ABV, 0.0% RS (DRY), pH 3.66
Youthful ruby color; fruit forward aromas of cherries & bramble berries; medium bodied with flavors of tart blackberries, dark cherries, and notes of soil, leather & pipe tobacco; good balance with lush, ripe tannins; pair with heavier meat dishes like beef tenderloin, short ribs, and pot roast
Lost Oak Winery Meritage 2018 Texas
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, & 10% Bingham Family Vineyard, Meadow, TX, Merlot 25%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Malbec 17%, Burning Daylight Vyds, Rendon, TX, and Petit Verdot 8%, Sprayberry Vyds, Midland, TX.
Fermented in SS tanks, aged separately in mix of American & French oak barrels (average 18 mo); 14.5% ABV, 0.0% RS (DRY)
Meritage, a combination of Merit & Heritage, is a label reserved for premium blends of Bordeaux varieties, and this wine contains 4 of the 5. Rich, garnet color; earthy aroma with caramel & cherry; currant & blackberry flavors balanced by notes of sweet tobacco & vanilla; soft tannins frame a lingering finish with hints of boysenberry fruit; pair with roast beef, rosemary potatoes, beef bourguignon, coq au vin, meatball sandwich, and dark chocolate croissant
McPherson Cellars EVS Windblown Red 2018 TX High Plains
Grape(s): Mourvèdre 29%, Carignan 27%; Petite Sirah 26%, Syrah 9%, & Grenache 9%, all sourced from Texas High Plains Vineyards
An 11-day fermentation with 37-day total skin contact; aged 9 mo in French oak barrels (18% new); bottled at 13.8% ABV, 0.3% RS (DRY), pH 3.71
The elements of Earth, Vine, and Sky, plus the near constantly blowing Wind, stress High Plains grapevines to produce this brilliant Rhône-style blend; dark berry fruit with peppery notes & delicate oak nuances (vanilla & spice); rich, long finish with silky tannins; pair with grilled meats, chicken & pasta dishes, or just drink & enjoy
The white wines in this allocation are all favorites at 4.0 Cellars. The Viognier 2019 Texas features the signature grape from Brennan Vineyards. Lost Oak Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Texas is a welcome return of this delightful wine grown in the very special Burning Daylight Vineyard just south of Ft. Worth. And, McPherson Cellars Albarino 2018 Texas (High Plains) highlights how well Texas can produce a version of this famous and popular Spanish wine.
Brennan Vineyards Viognier 2019 Texas
Grape(s): Viognier 92%, mix of Comanche & Newburg Vyds, Comanche Cty, TX, and Semillon 8%, Newburg Vyd, Comanche Cty, TX
From the bountiful 2019 vintage; mechanically harvested fruit, fermented cold at 52oF; aged on the lees in SS tank with no malolactic transformation; 14.8% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY), pH 3.41
Bright straw color with green hues; aromas of peach cobbler, apricot, and floral nuances of honeysuckle & jasmine; bold fruit flavors of yellow peaches & ripe apricot with notes of honey & vanilla; great fruit & acid balance on the palate-tingling finish; pair with fish, mild cheeses, fruit dishes, or just a leisurely sit on the patio
Lost Oak Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Texas
Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc 96% Burning Daylight Vyds, Rendon, TX, Tarrant Cty (Ft. Worth), & Viognier 4%, Bingham Family Vyds, Meadow, TX Terry Cty
Fermented cold; aged in SS tank; 13.4% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY)
From Missy & Dave Gudal’s small vineyard, this pale straw color wine has aromas of wildflowers with lemon & lime notes; flavors of ripe lemon, key lime, and apricot; lemon grass finish is crisp & bright, like a Texas summer morning; pair with savory seafood, herbed chicken, wild mushroom risotto, & butter shortbread cookies
McPherson Cellars Albarino 2018 Texas (High Plains)
Grape(s): Albarino 100%, Castano Prado Vyds, Brownfield, TX, Terry County
Fermented 25 days at 55oF; aged in SS tank; 12.5% ABV, 0.4% RS (essentially DRY)
This delightful version of the famous Spanish Albarino grape, native to northwestern Spain, offers aromas & flavors of peach, melon. citrus, & apple; texture is smooth with a pleasant, slightly crisp finish; pair with grilled seafood or chicken, spicy Thai or Asian dishes, & Spanish paella
The three sweet wines will delight our 4.0 Cellars Wine Club members with a sweet tooth. Brennan Vineyards SweetArrow Red 2017 pairs well with Texas staples like cherry pie and spicy BBQ. Lost Oak Winery introduces a new wine, Late Harvest Roussanne 2018 TX High Plains, that is truly a dessert you can pour from the bottle. Finally, 4.0 Cellars Sweet Dreams 2018 TX High Plains (by Brennan Vineyards) returns with honey and lemon custard character for easy, fun summertime drinking.
Brennan Vineyards SweetArrow Red 2017 Texas
Grape(s): Montepulciano 73%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry County, & 27% Muscat of Alexandria, Newburg Vyd, Comanche County, TX
Fermented cold in SS tanks; sweetened & stabilized before bottling; 12.6% ABV, 4.0% RS (sweet)
Vibrant crimson in color; aromas and flavors of sweet cherries & raspberries; very fruit forward; great wine for making sangrias, or chill for fun, easy sipping; pair with cherry pie, plum tart, chocolates, & spicy Texas BBQ, too
Lost Oak Winery Late Harvest Roussanne 2018 TX High Plains
Grape(s): Roussanne 100%, Oswald Vyds, Brownfield, TX, Terry Cty
Late-harvest grapes brought lots of sugar & spice to the winery; fermented cold & aged in SS tank with just a light oak barrel finishing step; bottled at a palate-coating 17.1% ABV and 6.5% Residual Sugar (sweet dessert wine)
The russet-hued Roussanne grapes typically give pear & pineapple fruit aromas & flavors; this rich wine offers pear cider, candied Meyer lemon with hints of clove, ginger, & caramel apple; enjoy with poached pears, blonde brownies, or just finish a meal with this dessert in a bottle
4.0 Cellars Sweet Dreams 2018 TX High Plains (by Brennan Vineyards)
Grape(s): Riesling 42% & Malvasia Bianca 58%, Farmhouse Vyds, Terry Cty, TX
Fermented cold & aged in SS tanks; blended, sweetened to about 4% RS (sweet); stabilized & bottled at 14.3% ABV
Aromas of Meyer lemon, orange blossom, honey & petrol; flavors of candied lemon drop with hints of lemon custard; honeyed finish balanced between sweetness and acidity