Wine Club Release – Sept-2025
Texas Wine Collective – Carl’s Corner
Wine Club Release – Sept-2025
The subject today is the September Wine Club Release with pickup events scheduled on Sundays, September 7th and September 14th. There will be two sessions each Sunday, 11:00-1:30 or 2:30-5:00, with opportunities to taste all the wines from this release, enjoy selected food bites paired with the wines, plus live music to enhance the experience.
Check the website – www.texaswinecollective.com to make reservations (required to participate in the food and wine pairings). Four adults per wine club membership are allowed to join the fun.
Texas Wine Collective Wine Club Release – Sept-2025
Allocation Selection: R=Red, M=Mixed, W=White, S=Sweet
Each TWC winery partner offers a white wine in this release, all lovely, easy drinking wines.
Brennan Vineyards Picpoul Blanc 2024 TX High Plains W
Grape(s): Picpoul Blanc 100%, sourced from Texas High Plains vineyards
Fruit was mechanically harvested; pressed and fermented approx. 28 days at 57oF in SS tank. It was aged in SS tank and bottled @ 11.6% ABV, 0% RS (dry).
Picpoul Blanc is a grape variety best known from sun-kissed vineyards along the Mediterranean shores of southern France. It grows well there AND in other warm, sunny regions like the Texas High Plains. Picpoul is a vibrant, zesty, and mineral-driven variety that captures the essence of the region’s climate and terroir. It is typically crisp and fresh making it a good aperitif or pleasant beverage for warmer weather picnics and cook-outs. With aromas and flavors of yellow watermelon, ripe citrus (nectarine), soft herbs, and lemon custard, this is drinking well right now and will continue to be enjoyable for a few more years. Pair with simple seafood dishes, grilled meats and vegetables, a fresh goat cheese salad, and shrimp or fish tacos.
McPherson Cellars Clairette Blanche 2024 TX High Plains W
Grape(s): Clairette Blanche 100%, sourced from Texas High Plains vineyards
Fruit was mechanically harvested, pressed, and fermented approx. 28 days at 57oF in SS tank. The wine was aged in SS tank and bottled @ 12.5% ABV, 0.3% RS (essentially DRY).
Clairette Blanche is a grape variety most widely grown in the French Mediterranean wine regions of Provence, Rhône, and Languedoc, all areas with climates that are arid, dry, often hot, and full of summertime sunshine, much like key wine regions in Texas. Because the name is classified as feminine gender in French, Blanche is used rather than the masculine form, Blanc. The grape is often used for blending with higher-acid varieties such as Piquepoul Blanc and Muscat Blanc. If grown judiciously and harvested at the right time, quality white wine can be produced. This offers a pale straw color and light citrus (pink grapefruit) and honeysuckle aromas. Flavors of soft mint, lemon curd, and a bit of acid sharpness made this a good pairing for simple seafood, bright fruit salads, grilled or bake chicken dishes, and charcuterie boards. Who else would you like to see managing the production of a Clariette Blanche varietal wine than Kim McPherson and Spenser Igo.
Lost Oak Winery Roussanne Reserve 2024 TX High Plains W
Grape(s): Roussanne 100% sourced 73% from Diamante Doble Vyds, Tokio, and 27% from Rowland Taylor Vineyards near Brownfield, both in Terry County.
Machine harvested fruit was pressed and fermented cool for 28 days; aged 9 months in barrels [40% 1-yr French oak, 55% neutral oak, and 5% SS], and bottled @ 12.9% ABV, 0% RS (dry).
Roussanne is originally from the Rhône region of southern France and the ripe fruit has a reddish-brown hue which is described by the French word, roux (rust). Roussanne wines tend to be fuller bodied whites with characteristics similar to Chardonnay, especially when fermented or aged in oak barrels. This wine shows aromas of vanilla, white tea leaves, butter, baked brioche, and white peach. Vanilla and peach carry over in the flavor department enhanced by Meyer lemon, Bartlett pear, and toasted almonds. The finish is very elegant - smooth and silky. Suggested pairings include feta and roasted tomato dip, prosciutto and fig flatbread, shrimp alfredo or cheese ravioli, bacon wrapped figs stuffed with cream cheese, and candied Meyer lemon-infused vanilla ice cream.
This Red wine allocation also includes one offering from each TWC winery partner.
Lost Oak Winery Crimson Oak 2022 Texas R
Grape(s): Sangiovese 48% sourced from Reddy Vyds, Brownfield; Ruby Cabernet 48% sourced from Krick Hill Vyds, Levelland; and Petite Sirah 4% sourced from Lost Oak Estate Vyd, Burleson. Both Sangiovese and Ruby Cabernet grow well at higher altitudes with lots of sun and in soils rich in limestone – great varieties for the Texas High Plains.
Machine harvested fruit was destemmed and crushed; cuvées were fermented separately an avg. 10 days in SS tank at 60-85oF; wine pressed from the skins and aged an avg. 20 months in mostly used oak barrels; blended and bottled @13.9% ABV, 0% RS (dry)
Sangiovese, the primary grape used to make the famous Chianti wines of Tuscany, Italy, offers lots of red cherry fruit and softer tannins. Ruby Cabernet is a hybrid grape that provides mellow flavors and characteristics similar to Cabernet Sauvignon but grows better in warmer climates. Petite Sirah is a wonderful blending grape that provides darker color, more black fruit aromas and flavors, and just a bit more tannic structure to the finish. This wine has aromas of red currant and cherry with hints of dark chocolate mocha. Flavors of black plum, black berries, with undertones of suede leather and soft green herbs leads into a vibrant finish with medium tannins. Pairs well with buttery gouda cheese and sweet peaches, creamy mushroom risotto, grilled meats with rosemary garlic potatoes, a simple juicy cheeseburger, and a dark chocolate tart with berry compote for dessert.
Brennan Vineyards Buffalo Roam Reserve 2023 TX High Plaiins R
Grape(s): Syrah 90% and Mourvèdre 10% sourced from Texas High Plains vineyards
Mechanically harvested fruit; destemmed, crushed, fermented separately in bins for 8-10 days with daily punch downs, then pressed to barrel for aging. Cuvées aged an average 18 months in used American and French oak barrels; blended and bottled @ 13.0% ABV, 0% RS (DRY)
Buffalo Roam Reserve is a proprietary name used by Brennan Vineyards for a rich red blend that started out as a home for the Syrah grown along Indian Creek near the winery. The concept for Buffalo Roam, first produced in 2014, originated with former Brennan winemaker, Todd Webster, based on red blends from the Rhône Valley of southern France made with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre and equally rich Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon blends from Australia. This version from the Brennan team and currant winemaker Griffin Ehlers uses Texas High Plains fruit. The Syrah vineyard on Indian Creek is located on the original Brennan home estate that was sold several years ago after Dr Brennan passed away. Thus, that Syrah fruit is no longer controlled by Brennan Vineyards This is dark garnet in color, medium-bodied, with rich aromas of blackberry, sweet plum, and loamy soil. The flavors include black cherry, baked plum tart, notes of grill smoke and a hint of chocolate chip cookie. There are moderate tannins on a savory, long-lasting finish.
McPherson Cellars Sangiovese Block Series 2023 TX High Plains R
Grape(s): Sangiovese 100% sourced from Texas High Plains vineyards
Fruit was mechanically harvested and fermented 9-10 days in SS tank at 60-85oF. After pressing, the wine was aged 14 months in French oak barrels (15% new) and bottled @ 13.2% ABV, 0.2% RS (dry)
This is another in McPherson Cellars’ Block series of wines harvested from a specific parcel of vines with superior quality fruit. Sangiovese is of course the key grape that makes delicious Chianti wines of Tuscany. Italy. This grape grows well in warm, arid climates on sandy, rocky soils with a limestone base making it a good option for the Texas High Plains. This variety conjures thoughts of the old country with aromas of red cherry, dried cranberry, earthy black olives, and dusty-chalky tannins at the finish. There are aromas and flavors of red cherry, black olives, dark chocolate covered cherries with strong notes of fresh-baked almond cake, vanilla, cream, and baking spices developed from barrel aging. Pair with smoked poultry, cream of porcini mushroom soup, spaghetti Bolognese, and BBQ brisket.
This sweet wine allocation also includes one offering from each TWC winery partner.
Brennan Viineyards Three White Chicks 2024 Texas S
Grape(s): Muscat Blanc 100% sourced from Texas High Plains vineyards
Machine harvested fruit at an average 22oBrix was pressed and fermented cold for about 25 days in SS tanks. The wine was aged in SS tank for about 6 months before stabilizing and bottling @ 12% ABV, approx. 3% RS (semi-sweet).
The wine is pale gold in color with aromas of gardenia and orange blossoms, honeydew melon, and nectarines. These aromas follow through to flavors on the palate creating a perfectly sweet, light, refreshing mouthfeel. No sugar was added to the wine before bottling so the refreshing sweetness is from natural grape sugar. The wine is well-balanced with soft acids and a lip-smacking finish. Pair with BBQ chicken, spicy grilled shrimp or baked oysters, creamy soft cheeses, arroz con leche, and slightly spicy fare like curry, Thai, or Mexican.
Lost Oak Winery Orange Muscat 2024 TX High Plains S
Grape(s): Orange Muscat 100% sourced 52% from Diamante Doble Vyds, Tokio, Terry County, and 48% from Crooked Post Vyd, New Home, in neighboring Lynn County.
Machine harvested fruit was directly pressed; cuvées were fermented separately in SS tanks 25-30 days at cool temperature (55-60oF); fermentation was stopped to preserve some of the natural grape sugar; stabilized wines were aged in SS tanks for 6 months (no malolactic transformation); blended, and bottled @14.6% ABV, 3% RS (med sweet)
Orange Muscat, along with Muscat Blanc and Muscat of Alexandria, is one of the over 200 different varieties in the Muscat family of grapes. This grows well in Texas and produces mostly sweet wines with lots of peach, tangerine, and fresh floral aromas along with vibrant flavors of candied pear, honeycomb, mango, ripe peach, and hints of Meyer lemon citrus. This wine is very rich on the palate and offers a lingering fruity finish. Pair this with spring rolls and peanut sauce, citrusy chicken street tacos, thin crust Hawaiian pizza, grilled cheese on sourdough bread, and orange mascarpone layer cake.
McPherson Cellars La Diosa Sangria N.V. Texas S
Grape(s): A blend of grape varieties from Texas High Plains vineyards with a dollop of fruit juice to enrich the aromas and flavors.
Machine harvested fruit was directly pressed; cuvées were fermented separately in SS tanks 25-30 days at cool temperature (55-58oF); cuvées were aged in SS tanks for 3-6 months (no malolactic transformation); blended, sweetened, stabilized, and bottled @13.0% ABV, approx. 4% RS (sweet)
This is a very popular wine at TWC and just perfect for summer and warm fall weather. The bright aromas are cherry, strawberry, and watermelon with flavors of fresh peach, mango, juicy red watermelon, and ripe dark berries. Enjoy it right out of the bottle or add some chunks of fruit for an enhanced Sangria experience. Lots of tropical fruit aromas and flavors along with apple, pear and melon. Serve chilled for a refreshing aperitif or pair with mandarin and candied pecan mixed greens salad, spinach artichoke dip, Fischer and Wieser Raspberry Chipotle Sauce over cream cheese, a charcuterie platter with softer cheeses and jam, chicken salad sandwiches, and fruit-topped thumbprint sugar cookies.