Wine Club Selections for Feb-2021
Wine Club Selections for Feb-2021
Special Note: Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, is hosting their 2021 Annual Conference as a Virtual Event on-line, Feb-23,24, and Mar-2,3. There will be presentations and discussions on Vineyards, Winemaking, Tasting Room, and Marketing. There will also be a virtual tasting of Texas Gold Medal wines in which you can choose to participate (with wine purchase). You do not need to be a member of TWGGA – just have an interest in Texas wine. To learn more and see the full program, connect to the registration site –https://www.txwines.org/2021-texaswineandgrapevirtualforum/ Carl will be involved in several of the sessions, including the virtual tasting.
Happy New Year! Or maybe just Thank Heaven 2020 is done! And, just as we are all trying to stay healthy, recover, and refocus on what can be better in 2021, here comes a “Snowpocalypse” with record-breaking low temperatures and much inconvenience from icy conditions. Well, in spite of that, Texas Wine Collective, now fully engaged in a rebranding effort from the former 4.0 Cellars, is ready to offer an exciting February wine club release. Although you’ll notice a few changes due to the new branding, a key part that will remain constant is the line-up of delicious wines from our winery partners, Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars. Wine Club Release parties are scheduled for Sundays 21-Feb and 28-Feb. The format will be similar to those held in the later months of 2020 with participant and staff safety as key considerations. Look for Wine Club emails and announcements, make your reservations, and join us as we launch Texas Wine Collective. More information is available on the website - www.fourpointwine.com. Here are the February 2021 Wine Club Release Selections.
Allocation Selection: R=Red, M=Mixed, W=White, S=Sweet
For this Feb-2021 allocation, three very tasty reds are included, as noted below.
Brennan Vineyards Protectors 2018 TX High Plains R/M
Grape(s): Carmenere 70%, Lahey Vineyards, Brownfield, TX, and Alicante Bouschet 30%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry Cty
Machine harvested, fermented cool over 3-5 weeks; aged in French & American oak 18 mo; blended & bottled at 13.8% ABV, 0% RS (DRY)
Deep ruby color; aromas of wet soil & coffee with notes of tart red cherry, bramble berry, sage, & vanilla; bold flavors on the palate of dark red fruits, stewed blackberries & floral hints of lavender & lilac; silky tannin structure on the finish. Pair with veal, beef tenderloin, most any grilled fare, or a fine cigar.
Lost Oak Winery Crimson Oak 2019 Texas R/M
Grape(s): Ruby cabernet 44%, Krick Hill Vyds, Levelland, TX, Hockley Cty; Tempranillo 34%, Bingham Family Vyds, Meadow, TX, Terry Cty; & Cabernet Sauvignon 22%, Diamante Doble Vyds, Tokio, TX, Terry Cty
Fermented separately in SS tanks; Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon aged 13 months in oak barrels; Ruby Cabernet aged 13 months in SS tank; blended & bottled at 13.8% ABV, 0.1% RS (DRY)
A fun blend from Lost Oak winemakers to produce a balanced wine with rich color, fragrant bouquet, & bountiful flavor. Aromas of mulberry & rhubarb; lighter flavors of soft cherry & pomegranate with notes of sweet spices on a smooth finish. Enjoy with charcuterie - cheeses, deli meats, dried fruit, olives - & pasta with pink sauce
McPherson Cellars Sangiovese 2018 TX High Plains R
Grape(s): Sangiovese 100%, sourced from Lahey Vineyards, Brownfield, Terry Cty, & Sagmor Vineyards, Lubbock County, TX
10-Day fermentation in SS tank; 35-day skin contact; aged 11 months in French oak barrels (20% new); bottled @ 13.7% ABV, 0.3% RS (DRY)
Sangiovese, a key grape from Tuscany, Italy, & the primary grape in Chianti, was first planted over 30 years ago on the Texas High Plains by Kim McPherson’s father, Doc McPherson. The aging in French oak adds a smoky vanilla nuance to appealing aromas & flavors of red liquorice, black cherry cola, white pepper, & baking spices. This lovely red is dry with medium body, a rich, soft mouth-feel, & velvety tannins at the finish. A terrific food wine.
The white wines for this allocation include an offering from each of the owner-partners at 4.0 Cellars/Texas Wine Collective. They will provide pleasant drinking with spring picnics and grilling parties.
Brennan Vineyards Viognier Reserve 2019 Texas W/M
Grape(s): Viognier 100%, 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; 13.7% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY), pH 3.33
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 Mourvèdre Rose 2019 TX High Plains W
Grape(s): Mourvèdre 100%, Diamante Doble Vyds, Tokio, TX, Terry County
Grapes were gently crushed & over several hours the juice extracted a luscious pink color from the skins; the juice was then fermented cold & aged in SS tank; bottled at 12.2% ABV, 0% RS (DRY)
Mourvèdre grows well in warm arid climates, like southern France & the Texas High Plains. Aromas of spring flowers & honeydew melon carry over to melon flavors with hints of key lime and lead to a zesty, lingering finish. Pair with baked feta with sundried tomatoes & olives, honey-glazed lamb, lemon butter baked fish, or melon & prosciutto.
McPherson Cellars Albarino 2019 Tx High Plains W
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 key lime, apricot, orange peel, and bitter lemon. The wine is relatively soft but has a lively finish with a bit of zing reminding one of clementine fruit and lime pith. Pair with seafood, shellfish, paella, grilled chicken, or garden salads.
The three sweet wines will satisfy our wine club members with a sweet tooth. LOL
4.0 Cellars Sweet Dreams 2018 TX High Plains (by Brennan Vineyards) S
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
Lost Oak Winery Orange Muscat 2019 TX High Plains S
Grape(s): Orange Muscat 100%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry County
Fermented & aged 6 mo in SS tank; sweetened and stabilized at bottling to 3.5 RS, 11% ABV (semi-sweet)
This bright, refreshing wine offers aromas and flavors of candied orange slices & ripe peach with a smooth, sweet finish
Lost Oak Winery Dolce Rouge N.V. TX High Plains S
Grape(s): Ruby Cabernet 77%, Krick Hill Vyd, Levelland, TX, Hockley Cty; Merlot 23%, Bingham Family Vyds, Meadow, TX; Terry Cty
Fermented & aged 12 mo in SS tank; sweetened and stabilized at bottling to 4% RS, 13.0% ABV (sweet)
Fruity & smooth, medium-bodied with spice notes; good balance between sugar & acidity; good choice for spicy, fiery cuisine, red-sauced pasta, BBQ’d meats, or just simple sipping (Lost Oak has a recipe for Sacred Sangria – check their website)