Wine Club Selections for Sep-2020
The 2020 Corona virus pandemic and quarantine that essentially shut down businesses, including winery tasting rooms, just seems to go ON and ON. However, there was recent progress on opening as TABC issued some new rules related to sales of food and non-wine items that would allow for modified opening of many tasting rooms. (Can you understand this – I can’t! How can a virus tell the difference between a person just tasting wine vs one who is tasting wine but also purchased food?) 4.0 Cellars has applied for an updated permit under these new rules, and some forms of “normal” operation are returning. The September, 2020, Wine Club pickup parties will be held, probably under a limited format similar to that used in June. Information about the Wine Club pickup party, and a form to make reservations should be forthcoming to Wine Club members very soon.
In the meantime, you can stop by 4.0 Cellars to enjoy wine by the bottle and even tasting trays at outside tables. The staff is also preparing some delicious cheese and meat trays to enjoy with the wine. You are still encouraged to drive-by to pick-up wine club allocations or purchases through arm’s length transfers. And now, 4.0 Cellars is hosting virtual wine tastings via Facebook hosted by Martin Kuykendall and Caroline Eidson. These have been held on Saturdays at 4:00 pm, but the next one is scheduled for Thursday, 01-Oct, at 6:00 pm. Tune in and enjoy Caroline and Martin discussing wines and tasting some wonderful food bites prepared by our assistant tasting room manager, Amber Saidler.
The September Wine Club Selections will be the subject of three upcoming pre-recorded virtual tastings to be posted on the 4.0 Cellars Website and Social Media: red wines on 13-Sep, whites on 20-Sep, and sweets on 27-Sep.
Be alert for the upcoming email that will announce the September, 2020, Wine Club pickup events: Sundays, 13-Sep, 20-Sep, and 27-Sep. 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 September, 2020, Wine Club Release Selections.
The Reds in this allocation offer a lot of flavor for our Wine Club members. These are all releases of newer versions of wines enjoyed in past allocations. Brennan Vineyards is releasing their next volume of Winemaker’s Choice, “W” VI, another delicious red blend from winemaker Todd Webster. Winemaker Jim Evans has created a wonderful Lost Oak Winery Double Diamond Merlot 2018 from Diamante Doble Vineyard fruit grown near Tokio on the Texas High Plains. And, master winemaker Kim McPherson has produced another tribute to Spanish grape varieties grown in Texas, McPherson Cellars La Herencia (The Heritage) 2018 TX High Plains, a terrific blend based on Tempranillo.
Brennan Vineyards Winemaker’s Choice VI Texas
Grape(s): Cabernet Franc 42% (2018), Blackwater Draw Vyd, Brownfield, TX, Terry County; Cabernet Sauvignon 18% (2018), Newburg Vyd, Comanche County, TX; Carmenere 22% (2018) and Graciano 18% (2019), Lahey Vyds, Brownfield, TX, Terry County
Machine harvested, fermented in SS tanks, about 4 weeks skin/juice maceration, aged in mix of American & French oak barrels (avg 18 mo – Graciano 9 mo in SS tank), 14.2% ABV, 0.0% RS (DRY), pH 3.64
Dark ruby color; fruit forward aromas of cherry, raspberry, & red currant with notes of eucalyptus, rosemary, jalapeno skin, wet soil, & tobacco; full-bodied with flavors of dark cherry, plum, & blackberry pie and notes of campfire smoke, leather, & pipe tobacco; lush mouth-feel with well-structured, lingering finish; pair with heavier meat dishes like beef ribeye, smoked turkey, grilled sausage, & BBQ’d beef short ribs
Lost Oak Winery Double Diamond Merlot 2018 TX High Plains
Grape(s): Merlot 100%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry County
Fermented in SS tank, aged 19 months in mix of American & French oak barrels (20% new); 14.3% ABV, 0.0% RS (DRY)
Rich, ruby color; extravagant aromas of ripe cherry, black raspberry, & vanilla; flavors of cherry & red currant with hints of earth, caramel, mocha, & black pepper; soft tannins frame a lingering finish with a dark cocoa note; pair with roast beef, shepherd’s pie, lasagna, grilled flank steak with red wine garlic sauce, & dark chocolate
McPherson Cellars La Herencia 2018 TX High Plains
Grape(s): Tempranillo 85%, Mourvèdre 5%, Carignan 5%; Syrah 5%, sourced from Timmons Estate & Lahey Vineyards, Brownfield, TX, Terry County
Cold soak followed by 7-day fermentation in SS tank - 23-day total skin contact; aged 11 mo in French oak barrels (20% new); bottled at 13.7% ABV, 0.3% RS (DRY), pH 3.68
This “heritage” wine is a salute to the key Spanish grape Tempranillo that grows well in Texas; the blend grapes soften the texture & enhance the aromas & flavors of dark cherry, plum, baking spices with notes of soft leather & freshly plowed soil; rich, long finish with silky tannins; pair with grilled meats, chicken & your favorite tacos, or just drink & enjoy
The Whites in this allocation are flavorful and refreshing. The classic Rhône variety Marsanne is not often found as a varietal wine in Texas, or anywhere else, but McPherson Cellars Marsanne 2107 presents a delicious taste of what this grape can offer. Brennan Vineyards has another version of their popular Lily, a Reserve bottling from 2017 that is 100% Malvasia Bianca from Farmhouse Vineyards near Brownfield. Lost Oak Winery Viognier 2019 continues the run for this very popular varietal using fruit from Bingham Family Vineyards in Meadow, Texas.
McPherson Cellars Marsanne 2017 TX High Plains
Grape(s): Marsanne 100%, Timmons Estate Vineyard, Brownfield, TX, Terry County
Fermented 28 days at 55oF; aged in SS tank; 13.9% ABV, 0.4% RS (essentially DRY), pH 3.46
Marsanne is primarily a blending grape in France’s Rhone Valley, but grown in the soil & sun of the Texas High Plains it can stand alone as a delicious white varietal. Aromas & flavors of fresh peach, white flower blossoms, citrus fruits, and notes of toasted almond & waxy honeycomb; this is a dry, rich wine with softly textured finish; pair with fish, chicken, pork, & mild cheeses
Brennan Vineyards Reserve Lily 2017 TX High Plains
Grape(s): Malvasia Bianca 100%, Farmhouse Vineyards, Brownfield, TX, Terry County
Mechanically harvested, pressed, fermented cold at 55 degF in SS tank; aged on the lees in SS tank; no malolactic transformation; 12.1% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY), pH 3.44
Bright straw color with green hues; aromas of orange blossom, gardenia, honey dew melon, & key lime zest; flavors of Meyer lemon, ripe peaches, & melon; rich finish with great acid balance & notes of honeysuckle blossom; pair with fish, soft cheeses, fruit dishes, or just a leisurely sit on the patio
Lost Oak Winery Viognier 2019 Texas
Grape(s): Viognier 100%, Bingham Family Vyds, Meadow, TX, Terry Cty
Fermented cold & aged in SS tank; 15.0% ABV, <0.1% RS (DRY)
Bright, golden hue; aromas of honeysuckle blossom & golden apple with hint of citrus; flavors of tropical fruit (mango & melon) & nectarine with hints of lemon zest & white peppercorn; finish is rich & luscious with a long carryover of that ripe tropical fruit; pair with seared scallops in lemon butter sauce, grilled prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears, blue cheese artichoke dip, or white chocolate on lemon shortbread cookies
The Sweets in this allocation are terrific offerings for the hot, humid weather we are experiencing here at the end of summer. Brennan Vineyards is releasing the 2019 Austin Street Comanche Rose based on Orange Muscat from Farmhouse Vineyards south of Brownfield, TX. The next version of Lost Oak Winery Sweet Duet combines Muscat Canelli from Krick Hill Vineyard near Levelland with Gewurztraminer from Diamante Doble Vineyard grown near Tokio, TX. And, Kim McPherson continues his amazing string of delicious white wines with Moscato 2017.
Austin Street Comanche Rose 2019 TX High Plains (by Brennan Vineyards)
Grape(s): Orange Muscat 98%, Farmhouse Vyds, Brownfield, TX, Terry County, & Graciano 2%, Lahey Vyds, Brownfield, TX, Terry County
Direct press (minimum skin contact), fermented cold in SS tank; no malolactic transformation; blended, sweetened, stabilized, & bottled at 14.5% ABV, 3.5% RS
Pale pink in color; aromas and flavors of mandarin oranges & fresh peaches; moderately sweet with a balanced, refreshing finish. Serve with summer picnics, mild cheeses, & lighter grilled fare.
Lost Oak Winery Sweet Duet 2019 TX High Plains
Grape(s): Muscat Canelli 50%, Krick Hill Vyds, Levelland, TX, Hockley County; Gewurztraminer 50%, Diamante Doble Vyd, Tokio, TX, Terry County
Fermented cold and aged in SS tank; blended, sweetened, stabilized, & bottled, 13.5% ABV, 5% RS (sweet)
Light straw yellow color; vibrant aromatics of wildflower blossoms, stone fruits, & lychee; flavors of white peach, pineapple, & hints of wildflower honey; slight zestiness on the finish; pair with peach shortcake, soft cheeses & buttery crackers, spicy seafood or chicken dishes, & white chocolate or lemon yogurt covered almonds
McPherson Cellars Moscato 2017 TX High Plains
Grape(s): Muscat Canelli 100%, sourced from Texas High Plains vineyards
Fermented cold & aged in SS tanks; sweetened & stabilized before bottling at 12.1% ABV, 4% RS (moderately sweet)
Made in the Italian Moscato d’Asti style – really light & refreshing; aromas & flavors of citrus & stone fruits, orange blossom, slight honey note; bright on the palate with a crisp finish