Texas High Plains – Page 6

2023

Wedding Oak

Castanet Rose

Wedding Oak Winery’s Texas High Plains Castanet Rosé offers a fantastic medium-bodied palate with a velvety-silky texture. A subtle hint of sweetness is balanced by a firm spine of grippy acidity, creating a harmonious and inviting profile. Layered with flavors of strawberry, watermelon, white peach, and candied apricot, it also features delicate notes of pressed flowers and a hint of bergamot. Elegant and complex, this rosé is a standout.

Rosé

2023

Wedding Oak

Riesling

The Wedding Oak Winery Riesling, sourced from Cerro Santo Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, greets you with a sharp, high-toned nose that belies the wine’s inviting palate. Once tasted, it reveals a creamy texture with delightful notes of honeydew melon, honeycomb, fragrant wildflowers, and lemon oil. A subtle richness adds depth, making it a pleasure to drink, while the slightly off-dry finish rounds out its balanced and approachable profile. A charming Riesling that rewards those who delve past its initial sharpness.

White

2023

William Chris Vineyards

Cabernet Sauvignon

The William Chris Vineyards 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from vineyards in the Texas High Plains, is quite exceptional. This medium-bodied red shows remarkable balance and seamlessness, even by this producer’s high standards. Blackberry fruit, currants, cassis, and dried cherry mingle with hints of tobacco and a tapestry of mild Indian spices, all supported by a firm bed of fine, mineral-driven tannins. The medium-length finish is fruit-forward with subtle earthy notes adding complexity. Aged for 20 months in 20% new French oak and 80% neutral oak barrels. Sourced from The Family Vineyard in Terry County and Dell Valley Vineyard in Hudspeth County. William Chris Vineyards was founded in 2008 by William “Bill” Blackmon and Chris Brundrett. Tony Offill leads the cellar as Head Winemaker, and Jean Hoefliger is the consulting winemaker.

Red

2024

Augusta Vin

Marsanne

Aged entirely in stainless steel for six months before bottling. Elegant white peach, apricot, and honeycomb aromas lead, with a lovely weight and silky fruit depth from partial malolactic fermentation. The palate leans toward poached apples, guava, and white peach, layered with pressed wildflowers and a subtle baking spice character. Nicely persistent on the finish. 92

White

2024

Augusta Vin

Roussanne

In Texas, this grape tends to show more florality and structure, says Zachary Raines, winemaker for Augusta Vin—”probably from that shorter growing season.” The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in a combination of barriques and large-format puncheons, with 40% new French oak. The oak is beautifully integrated, lending a buttery palate expression with good mid-palate fruit density and length. Spicy ginger notes and saline-acid tension balance out the wine’s soft, fleshy mouthfeel.

White

2024

Augusta Vin

Trebbiano

This wine shows nice weight and richness from the addition of about 8g/L of sugar, with bright citrus, tropical fruit, and apricot notes. Crushed almonds appear on the off-dry finish.

White

2024

Augusta Vin

Viognier

From the Rolland Taylor Vineyard in the Texas High Plains. Hand-picked, fermented in stainless steel, and aged in a mix of new and neutral oak puncheons and smaller barriques. Bright notes of orange peel and lemon zest lead the nose, accented by honeysuckle, vanilla, and subtle toasty oak. The medium-bodied palate offers fantastic silkiness, carrying through to a lengthy, saline finish with a pop of grapefruit and tangerine zest—almost like biting into a fresh kumquat.

White

2024

Meredith Margaret Wines

JoBreguen Vineyard Muscat Canelli

This is about as sweet as they come, bursting with bright floral and citrus peel aromatics. Super fragrant and delicious, it shows a viscous texture on the palate with candied peach rings and apricot notes. The finish is lifted by balanced acidity and a touch of chalky minerality, keeping everything in check. It’s not over the top—just irresistibly moreish, making you want another sip right after the last.

White

2024

Meredith Margaret Wines

Lahey Vineyard Cinsault Rosé

Alluring notes of cranberry, strawberry, and dried cherry rise from the glass, joined by hints of prairie grass and straw. The medium-bodied palate is bright and focused, driven by crisp, clean acidity that gives the wine freshness and lift.

Rosé

2024

Portree Cellars

Phillips Vineyard, Picpoul Blanc

Bright and citrusy, with a salty sea-spray quality that takes hold on the palate and carries through the extended finish. Along the way, crisp, crunchy citrus and orchard fruit mingle with layers of white flowers and chalky minerality. A complex Picpoul Blanc, best enjoyed with a salad, crispy chicken tacos or pulled pork. Sourced entirely from Phillips Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, where vines are rooted in sandy-loam soils over a caliche limestone base.

White

2024

Portree Cellars

Phillips Vineyard, Touriga Rosé

Fresh, inviting and layered, this rosé soars from the glass with blue fruit, cherry, orange peel and a hint of cocoa powder — an intriguingly unexpected touch. Luscious on the palate, it brims with rich blue-fruit compote, candied violets and a long saline-acid finish. One hell of a rosé, best served well chilled and enviably suited to year-round enjoyment. Sourced entirely from Phillips Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, where vines are rooted in sandy-loam soils over a caliche limestone base.

Rosé

2024

Reddy Wines

Sauvignon Blanc

Fermented and aged in 100% stainless steel, this white wine is crisp and tension-filled, offering notes of prairie grass, citrus, and lemon verbena, with a hint of sweet lemon curd on the palate. It finishes with delicate chamomile and honeycomb accents. In 1997, Dr. Vijay Reddy planted his first vines in Texas, drawing on his family’s multi-generational farming heritage. Today, Reddy Wines focuses exclusively on estate-grown production from vineyards situated at 1,007 meters (3,305 feet) in elevation.

White

2024

Rhinory

Tokio Vineyard, Tempranillo

From Tokio Vineyard in Tokio, Texas, this Tempranillo was fermented in stainless steel and aged in 25% new American oak. It shows ripe red currant and cherry fruit with a touch of dusty minerality in a medium-bodied expression. Sappy, maple-laced tannins frame the palate, joined by cured bacon and sweet spice notes on the lengthy, mineral-rich, bone-dry finish.

Red

2024

Rhinory

Veesart Vineyard, Albarino

Veesart Vineyards is a 45-acre site in Shallowater, Texas, northwest of Lubbock. This wine underwent a slow, cold fermentation to preserve its bright, ripe aromatics of banana pudding, white peach, and delicate white florals. A touch of skin contact adds texture, leading to a precise, crisp, and crunchy palate expression with citrus fruit and subtle apple-skin tannins.

White

2024

Slate Theory

Viognier

Fermented and aged for 10 months in 100% neutral oak, this wine is super bright and energetic, showing excellent layers of citrus, orchard, and subtle tropical fruit. A gentle honeyed richness lingers on the finish, giving it both freshness and depth. Easy to drink and beautifully balanced, with a fantastic finish.

White

2024

Slate Theory Winery

The Orderly Rosé

Fermented and aged in stainless steel for five months, this is a blend of 65% Sangiovese and 35% Nebbiolo. Bright strawberry and watermelon notes lead, with bracing, crunchy acid tension and a long, mineral-driven finish. Ideal with salmon, thinly sliced tuna, or tuna tartare.

Rosé

2024

William Chris Vineyards

Alta Loma Vineyard, Picpoul Blanc

The Picpoul Blanc from Alta Loma Vineyard—situated at over 3,000 feet elevation and owned and farmed by the Burran and Floyd families—in the Texas High Plains was my favorite white in the William Chris lineup from the 2024 releases. It shows loads of aromatic and flavor intensity with a plush, silky character that’s incredibly enticing. Fleshy pear is nuanced by white floral notes, while crushed almonds and river stone minerality add texture on the palate. The long finish brings richer lemon oil tones with building intensity and complexity. Quite a white wine. Aged for 6 months in stainless steel tanks. William Chris Vineyards was founded in 2008 by William “Bill” Blackmon and Chris Brundrett. Tony Offill leads the cellar as Head Winemaker, and Jean Hoefliger is the consulting winemaker.

White

2024

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera Vineyard Carignan

From La Pradera Vineyard, picked on the early side and aged for 14 months in large-format neutral oak to preserve freshness, with some stem inclusion adding a touch of spice to the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it shows nice mid-palate depth and richness, with dark berry fruit, violets, saddle leather, and muscular tannins that build on the crisp finish.

Red

2024

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera Vineyard, Roussanne

This Roussanne from La Pradera Vineyard in the Texas High Plains is undeniably delicious, showcasing crisp orchard fruit, unctuous lemon and tangerine oil, white flowers, and supple textures framed by savory, saline-driven acidity that’s mouthwatering and glides to a wet river stone mineral finish. The vineyard was established in 2010 by Mike and Barbara Paddack with the help of Texas grape growers Andy and Lauren Timmons. Aged for 7 months in 30% new French oak and 70% neutral oak barrels. William Chris Vineyards was founded in 2008 by William “Bill” Blackmon and Chris Brundrett. Tony Offill leads the cellar as Head Winemaker, and Jean Hoefliger is the consulting winemaker.

White

2024

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera/Carignan

From La Pradera Vineyard, this wine was picked on the early side and aged for 14 months in large-format neutral oak to preserve freshness. Some stem inclusion adds a subtle spiciness to the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it shows nice mid-palate depth and richness, with dark berry fruit, violets, and saddle leather notes. Muscular tannins build toward a crisp, structured finish.

Red

NV

Kerrville Hills

White Wine

This non-vintage white shows impressive character and texture, with a grippy mid-palate and a long, nutty richness that carries through the medium-bodied finish. The palate offers generous fruit weight, featuring layers of apricot and white peach alongside toasted almonds and buttered croissant. There’s real depth and intensity here, complemented by notes of wild herbs and dried honeycomb on the nose.

White

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2022

Producer

Name

I had the pleasure of tasting three vintages of this wine: the inaugural 2017, the 2018, and the 2022, which introduced new French oak and optical sorting (production was limited in 2019, with none made in 2020 and 2021). There’s no question that the 2022 vintage is the most polished and refined of them all. These reds are rich, showcasing black currant and red berry fruits, leather, and layered with pressed flowers and floral elegance. Aged for 24 months in 25% new French oak, the 2022 vintage takes this profile to the next level, adding a richer blue fruit and violet character, complemented by polished tannins and a plump, rounded texture. Crisp, vibrant structure supports the wine’s overall framework, making it both complex and approachable.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

This Alta Loma Vineyard Picpoul Blanc shows excellent weight and balance, with pretty notes of citrus peel, wildflowers, and honeycomb. The palate is rich and creamy, filled with ripe orchard fruit that builds in density toward a medium-bodied finish. Hints of honey and crushed almonds linger gracefully, adding depth and texture

White

2022

Producer

Name

Fermented in oak foudre and aged for 20 months in 20% new, 40% second-use, and 40% neutral French oak barrels, this Syrah comes from Alta Loma Vineyard in the Texas High Plains. It’s a full-bodied, dense, and powerful expression with meaty richness, black truffle, and loamy earth notes wrapped in a molasses-like depth. The bold, expressive palate reveals juicy dark berry fruit layered with cocoa powder and lifted by zesty blood orange acidity, all framed by robust, finely structured tannins.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Fermented in oak foudres and aged for 21 months in 20% new American and French oak barrels with the remainder in second-use French oak, this wine is dark-fruited and expressive, showing brandied cherry, fig, and violet notes layered with cedarwood and baking spices. The mid-palate builds with medium- to full-bodied richness, supported by cocoa powder tannins that frame the firm finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Aged for 14 months in 20% new French oak. Sourced from S & C Newsome Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this Montepulciano exemplifies McPherson’s hallmark consistency of quality and style from vintage to vintage. It offers tart cherry fruit, cedarwood, and a subtle meaty nuance, all unfolding across a medium-bodied palate with velvety tannins and lingering black tea notes on the finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

This Dolcetto from the Michael Ros Vineyard in the Texas High Plains is a bright, high-toned, and spicy red wine with notes of agave and red licorice. Framed by gentle, well-integrated tannins, it’s lean yet packs power and intensity, carrying through to a savory, dried herb finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Aged for 25 months in 28% new French oak barrels, this wine marks the first red blend release under the Envisage label—the name symbolizing the bold leap that Michael and Rosanne took in founding their family-owned boutique winery in the Texas Hill Country. This medium-bodied blend is framed by red berry fruit and warm baking spice, layered with white pepper nuances and a touch of richness. Juicy and fresh on the palate, it shows firm, taut, mineral-laced tannins and finishes bone dry with lingering spice and energy.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

The flagship wine for Pedernales Cellars, this blend was aged for 18 months in a combination of new and neutral oak and sourced primarily from Lahey Vineyard, with fruit from Daniel Vineyard supplementing. It’s a fantastically bold, supple, and dark-fruited wine, showing blue fruit nuances, dark chocolate notes, and a touch of chalky minerality. Supple tannins frame the full-bodied finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Sourced from Pepperjack Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, the 2022 Teroldego was aged for 18 months in a mix of neutral French and American oak. It’s a bold, juicy wine brimming with red and black fruit, showing a meaty richness on the palate nuanced by violets and candied rose petal notes. Supple yet firm tannins provide structure, while the finish is bold, juicy, and rich.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

This Viognier offers a high-toned nose but transitions beautifully on the palate, where it is broad, generous, and thoroughly delicious. Medium-bodied with a lush orchard fruit character, it is accented by a drizzle of honey and a hint of crushed almonds. The finish is lengthy and gently spiced.

White

2022

Producer

Name

The Buena Suerte Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, planted on Patricia and Amarillo loamy fine sands, supplies the Mourvèdre for this 2022 release. My favourite of the four Portree Cellars reds I sampled from the 2022 vintage, it is ripe and red-fruit driven, with nicely integrated cedarwood spice. Full-bodied, with round, supple tannins, it brims with juicy dark-berry fruit, loamy earth, dried sage, paprika and a fine sprinkling of cocoa powder on the long, saline finish. A wine to drink all night long — ideally paired with brisket, pulled pork or beer-can chicken rubbed with smoked paprika.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Malbec sourced from the 1,040-acre Lahey Vineyard in Portree Cellar’s hands is high-toned, floral-driven, with mixed berry fruit, cedar spices, and dried sage. Medium-bodied with sinewy tannins, a hint of fig paste layers itself under that mixed berry fruit character, and high-toned acidity keeps everything light and fresh on the finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

The Portree Cellars Fiano, sourced from Pepper Jack Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, is a vibrant and expressive wine. It showcases aromas of citrus peel, lemon oil, and toasted hazelnuts, creating a compelling and layered profile.Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers a touch of white pepper spice and additional dried floral notes that carry through to the finish.

White

2022

Producer

Name

Portree’s Touriga Nacional from the Phillips Vineyard in the Texas High Plains leaps out of the glass with surprising florality, red berries, and tropical fruit like guava and passion fruit, with underpinnings of cinnamon spices and a building depth of dark cherry fruit and raspberry fruit, and exotic florals with high-toned acid tension on the finish. Not exactly what you’d expect from a red, and a little sharp on the finish, but if you’re making Sangria, I’d buy this by the case-load. Keep following this producer and see how the 2023 release turns out.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Sourced from Timmons Estate, an 18-acre vineyard in Lubbock County, Texas High Plains — purchased by several Texas wineries including Lost Draw Cellars and William Chris Vineyards — where vines are rooted in sandy-loam soils. Portree’s Tempranillo from this site opens with ripe red-berry fruit before segueing into an intensely savoury profile, with prairie grass, green olives and lavender. The juicy ruby-red fruit is framed by grippy acidity, finishing with rose-petal florals and grapefruit zest.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

This is a full-flavored, meaty, and muscular Grenache showing real grit and tenacity. Bold notes of black olive, ripe cherry, and cherry cola mingle with wet slate minerality and robust tannins that build toward a towering finish. Sourced from Canted County Vineyard, this lot was originally destined for a blend, but as John Rivenburgh explains, the fruit was so compelling in 2022 that he decided to bottle it on its own.

Cristaldi Scores

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Wedding Oak

Castanet Rose

Wedding Oak

Riesling

William Chris Vineyards

Cabernet Sauvignon

Augusta Vin

Marsanne

Augusta Vin

Roussanne

Augusta Vin

Trebbiano

Augusta Vin

Viognier

Meredith Margaret Wines

JoBreguen Vineyard Muscat Canelli

Meredith Margaret Wines

Lahey Vineyard Cinsault Rosé

Portree Cellars

Phillips Vineyard, Picpoul Blanc

Portree Cellars

Phillips Vineyard, Touriga Rosé

Reddy Wines

Sauvignon Blanc

Rhinory

Tokio Vineyard, Tempranillo

Rhinory

Veesart Vineyard, Albarino

Slate Theory

Viognier

Slate Theory Winery

The Orderly Rosé

William Chris Vineyards

Alta Loma Vineyard, Picpoul Blanc

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera Vineyard Carignan

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera Vineyard, Roussanne

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera/Carignan

Kerrville Hills

White Wine

Vintage

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Color

Rating

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Producer

Name

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Producer

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Producer

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Producer

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Name