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The Storm Breaker from Siboney Cellars is sourced from Newsom Vineyards and is 100% Merlot, aged in 20% new French oak. Just 125 cases were made. This was the last wine I tasted, and I was blown away by it. It’s spectacular—full of plummy and cherry fruit with bright, warming spices. Medium-bodied, it shows loamy earth, cassis, and currant, with fine, velvety tannins. Really quite delicious, and showing beautifully at this stage. Siboney Cellars was founded by Miguel and Barbara Lecuona, with Barbara enrolled in the viticulture programme at Texas Tech University and Miguel raised in Texas with deep roots in both wine and family heritage. The two met in 2007, spent time in France honing their craft, and launched Siboney in earnest with their first wine vintage in 2017. Located on a limestone-terraced site in the Texas Hill Country, they have 52 acres with just 4 acres planted (so far). From the outset their goal has been to test and champion this under-explored terroir, combining serious vineyard work with a spirited, personal vision for Texas wine.

Sourced from Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this wine was aged for 32 months in 30% new French oak. “It’s a variety we love,” says Ben Calais, “and we have a lot of wine nerds that love it. Sure, it’s a touch greener than the rest of the wines we make—we could have let it hang longer and get riper, but we don’t want to make all the same wines.” He’s absolutely right. The wine shows captivating black and green tea notes, smoked paprika, and charcuterie on the palate. Medium- to full-bodied with maple-cured tannins and impressive length, it’s the kind of wine you could imagine sipping in a Japanese tea garden.

A bright, red-fruited Dolcetto showing candied red berry flavors with crisp apple-skin tannins and a medium-bodied richness on the palate. This red is certainly a crowd-pleaser. Aged for 20 months in 20% new French oak.

This is a medium-bodied yet muscular red-fruited wine kissed with wild herbs and brimming with character. Bright cherry and red currant notes mingle with hints of sun-dried thyme and sage, while firm, sappy tannins provide structure and grip. A subtle apple-skin texture and juicy, mouth-watering acidity carry the wine through to a clean, dry, and refreshingly precise finish. It’s a vibrant, energetic expression of Mourvèdre.

Sourced from Canted County Vineyard and aged to Rioja Gran Reserva standards in 100% new French oak, this limited production of just 75 cases will be released in December 2025. Wow—this is fantastic! One of the best wines I tasted during my trip to Texas in October 2025 for the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival. It’s bold, robust, rich, and supple, with high-toned black cherry, blackberry, and fig fruit layered over dark loamy earth, dried violets, and cherry liqueur notes. Currant fruit and fine-grained tannins build across the palate, leading to a supple, dark-fruited finish with nuances of unsweetened cocoa powder and impressive intensity through the full-bodied close. Larry and Jeanine Kuhlken planted their first vineyard near Fredericksburg in the early 1990s, founding what would eventually become Pedernales Cellars, named after the nearby Pedernales River. In 2005, their children, David and Julie, joined the business, which remains family-run.

The Tempranillo was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, while the Touriga Nacional spent 24 months in 100% neutral oak. This is the standout wine in the Reddy Wines lineup, showing lovely sweet red berry fruit, dried violets, and unsweetened cocoa powder. The palate is fresh and energetic through the mid-section, supported by powerful, robust tannins that carry a bright blood orange and dusty mineral finish. A very nice wine.

This is another variety that performs exceptionally well in Texas, and in the hands of John Rivenburgh it shows remarkable focus and precision. Expressive and juicy acidity drives the wine, balanced by fine, firm tannins with a distinct mineral edge. Blue fruit aromatics and cassis mingle with loamy earth, brown spice, and wet slate notes. A rock-solid wine with freshness, tension, and energy that perfectly support its rich profile.

This was one of the nicest wines I tasted during my impromptu visit to Siboney Cellars. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Challis (Clone 47) and Lahey (Clone 8) vineyards, it’s a great value at an SRP of $65—an impressively well-made Texas Cabernet. Dark berry fruit, loamy earth, violets, and crème de cassis lift from the glass. Medium- to full-bodied, it shows velvety tannins and a salty, saline minerality on the earth-driven finish.

Sourced from two sites—Family Vineyards and Bolen Vineyards in the Texas High Plains—the 2021 vintage saw reduced Merlot yields due to a spring cold spell. Aged for 32 months in 80% once-used and 20% new French oak, this wine offers striking aromatic richness and impressive mid-palate breadth. Supple-textured tannins frame spiced plum and black raspberry flavors, layered with notes of bright sagebrush, green tobacco, and cola nut that carry through a long, expressive finish.

The Mosaic is the winery’s classic Bordeaux blend and typically includes all five Bordeaux varieties, though this year’s weather was less accommodating. The wine is medium to full-bodied, showing ripe cherry, blackberry, and black raspberry fruit layered with notes of leather, tobacco, sagebrush, and black tea, finishing with a delicate floral lift. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

The Soleluce is a crunchy, red-fruited, zesty wine with rich forest berry and underbrush notes in a medium-bodied expression. Currant fruit and subtle tobacco spice nuances carry through to the fine finish. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

This wine shows a dark-fruited nose with loamy earth and blue fruit so characteristic of this area. Wonderful dark forest and savory tones mingle with dark chocolate notes, while firm, fine-grained tannins build through the full-bodied finish. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

From the Pepper Jack Vineyard, this Teroldego is full-bodied, deeply flavored, and unapologetically muscular. Inky dark fruit, black currant, saddle leather, and black olive pit dominate the nose and palate, underscored by savory notes of tobacco, leather, and olive tapenade. The tannins are powerful and structured, carrying the wine through a finish that lingers well over a minute. Talk about your ultimate barbecue wine.

Malbec from the Challis Vineyard, planted on brown-dirt soils and farmed and owned by Mike West. Clones 9 and 10 were fermented and aged separately before being blended together. 500 cases produced. 100% Malbec. Dark berry fruit leads, supported by cocoa powder and dried wild herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm yet supple tannins and a dry, focused finish.

Fermented in open-top vessels and aged for 18–24 months in mostly neutral French oak, this wine is light and red-fruited, showing high-toned, dusty minerality with firm, taut tannins that build grip and dryness on the finish. It’s a lean, structured expression that will likely gain volume and depth in future vintages with winemaker Michael Barton now at the helm—definitely one to watch for subsequent vintages.

Aged for 36 months in 33% new French oak, this wine comes from Newsom Vineyards in Plains, Texas, located due west of Lubbock and just seven miles from the Texas–New Mexico border. It’s a well-built wine showing ripe currant and spiced plum fruit with cocoa powder notes on the nose, complemented by bright baking spice, sagebrush, Hatch pepper, and a meaty undertone. Medium-bodied on the palate, it reveals more spice character and a pleasant loamy earth minerality on the finish. Balanced and polished, with a lush texture. Ab Astris is a boutique, family-owned winery founded by Erin and Tony Smith, with Mike Nelson heading up winemaking. Their 12-acre estate, planted between 2018 and 2019, grows a range of varieties including Tannat, Souzão, Clairette Blanche, Petite Sirah, and Montepulciano.

Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 32 months in 40% new American oak. Yields were incredibly low in 2022. Winemaker Mike Nelson notes that the variety retains heat well—some years require no acid adjustment for his Tannat, while in others he adds a touch to balance. He envisions pairing this wine with venison, Tex-Mex, or barbecue, and it’s certainly built for that. The wine shows meaty richness and an iron-laced quality that underscores its medium- to full-bodied character, nuanced by dried prairie grass notes. Solid, firm tannins build with intensity on the finish, giving the wine structure, length, tension, and power. Ab Astris is a boutique, family-owned winery founded by Erin and Tony Smith. Winemaker Mike Nelson is dedicated to producing handcrafted vintages from their 12-acre estate, the Hill Country, and the Texas High Plains.

The 2022 vintage was a drought year in Texas, and typically Ab Astris would produce a single-vineyard designate, but not this time. In this vintage, winemaker Mike Nelson fermented the wine in bins and aged it for 30 months in a combination of neutral and up to 40% new American oak. The wine shows red berry fruit and baking spice character building in intensity across the medium-bodied palate, framed by fine, firm tannins and finishing with cocoa powder and vanilla notes. Ab Astris is a boutique, family-owned winery founded by Erin and Tony Smith. Winemaker Mike Nelson handcrafts vintages from their 12-acre estate, the Hill Country, and the Texas High Plains.

The Cabernet is sourced from the winery’s 24-hectare estate and includes a portion of Petite Sirah, aged for 24 months in 30% new French oak. It shows classic Cabernet character with notes of blackberry, smoky graphite, and smoked paprika, all coming together on a plush, full-bodied palate. There’s an umami richness that drives the finish, with layers of dark fruit, cherry cola, and savory depth building through to the end. Quite the wine.

This non-vintage dessert wine is blended in a solera style, with fortification occurring in tank midway through fermentation. Fortified with brandy distilled from wine, it’s a truly delicious and well-balanced example of the style. Aromas of candied cinnamon and red berry fruit lead to a palate brimming with luscious dark fig jam, licorice, and a touch of green olive, all accented by savoury Christmas spice. Despite its richness, the wine maintains a lifted freshness and finishes with crisp tension. A dessert wine you can confidently cellar, as it will develop added volume, intensity, and nutty complexity over time.

The 2022 Ranger Hays is a blend of 74% Malbec, 14% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from vineyards across the Texas High Plains and Texas Hill Country. Aged for 24 months in 25% new French and American oak, it’s a savory, medium-bodied red showing notes of dark olive, loamy earth, iron, and crushed rock. Velvety tannins carry through to a starker, mineral-driven finish.

This is a crowd-pleaser in the Super Tuscan style, offering ripe currant and cassis fruit with hints of blackberry and subtle blue fruit aromatics. Firm, taut, mineral-laced tannins frame the palate, accented by earthy and tobacco spice notes and wet stone minerality on the lengthy finish. A fine medium-bodied wine that builds to full-bodied intensity as it finishes. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

The Cab Trois comes from a hot, dry year, and it shows in the vivid dry herb aromatics that mingle with dried rose petal notes, creating a spicy, herbal character that’s quite intriguing. Purple violet florals carry through on the palate alongside spiced plum fruit and chalky minerality, leading to a lengthy, mineral-driven finish. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

The 2022 Petite Sirah is a full-bodied, bold, and richly textured wine with inky black fruit and blue fruit nuances layered with notes of underbrush, dark forest floor, red tobacco, and espresso bean. It shows impressive density and weight throughout the palate. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

A heady mix of red and black fruit unfolds with rich cedarwood spice, building through cocoa powder tannins and crunchy red fruit accented by warm Indian spices on the mid-palate, carrying through to the full-bodied finish. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

This Cabernet Sauvignon is medium-bodied, showing red currant fruit and black tea notes layered with sagebrush. Superfine tannins provide a solid foundation for this tangy, zesty, blood-orange-fueled red, which finishes with savory black olive and black truffle charcuterie nuances. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

The Conflation Red is a bold, dark-fruited wine with muscular tannins and appealing iron-stone mineral tension at mid-palate. Ripe currant and cassis emerge on the medium- to full-bodied finish, joined by lingering notes of dark fig and subtle underbrush. Nicely put together and easily crushable. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

The most captivating wine I tasted at the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival in October 2025 came from Kalasi Cellars. This is a medium-bodied red with redcurrant fruit and darker blueberry notes, supported by super-fine tannins that offer a pleasing grip—almost like apple-skin tannin. Brown spices weave through the palate, leading to a medium-bodied, spice-bright finish. A great food-pairing wine thanks to its grip and vibrant spice profile.

I tasted this wine at the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival in October 2025. It shows red-berry fruit and generous mild Indian spices, with a medium-bodied palate feel and soft tannins leading to a juicy red-fruit finish. Cedarwood spice lingers pleasant finish.

I tasted this wine at the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival in October 2025, and it was quite enticing. It offered sweet red-berry fruit and warm brown spices, with soft tannins and a medium-bodied palate feel. Notes of brown sugar, cedarwood, and charcuterie carried through on the extended finish.

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The Storm Breaker from Siboney Cellars is sourced from Newsom Vineyards and is 100% Merlot, aged in 20% new French oak. Just 125 cases were made. This was the last wine I tasted, and I was blown away by it. It’s spectacular—full of plummy and cherry fruit with bright, warming spices. Medium-bodied, it shows loamy earth, cassis, and currant, with fine, velvety tannins. Really quite delicious, and showing beautifully at this stage. Siboney Cellars was founded by Miguel and Barbara Lecuona, with Barbara enrolled in the viticulture programme at Texas Tech University and Miguel raised in Texas with deep roots in both wine and family heritage. The two met in 2007, spent time in France honing their craft, and launched Siboney in earnest with their first wine vintage in 2017. Located on a limestone-terraced site in the Texas Hill Country, they have 52 acres with just 4 acres planted (so far). From the outset their goal has been to test and champion this under-explored terroir, combining serious vineyard work with a spirited, personal vision for Texas wine.

Sourced from Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this wine was aged for 32 months in 30% new French oak. “It’s a variety we love,” says Ben Calais, “and we have a lot of wine nerds that love it. Sure, it’s a touch greener than the rest of the wines we make—we could have let it hang longer and get riper, but we don’t want to make all the same wines.” He’s absolutely right. The wine shows captivating black and green tea notes, smoked paprika, and charcuterie on the palate. Medium- to full-bodied with maple-cured tannins and impressive length, it’s the kind of wine you could imagine sipping in a Japanese tea garden.

A bright, red-fruited Dolcetto showing candied red berry flavors with crisp apple-skin tannins and a medium-bodied richness on the palate. This red is certainly a crowd-pleaser. Aged for 20 months in 20% new French oak.

This is a medium-bodied yet muscular red-fruited wine kissed with wild herbs and brimming with character. Bright cherry and red currant notes mingle with hints of sun-dried thyme and sage, while firm, sappy tannins provide structure and grip. A subtle apple-skin texture and juicy, mouth-watering acidity carry the wine through to a clean, dry, and refreshingly precise finish. It’s a vibrant, energetic expression of Mourvèdre.

Sourced from Canted County Vineyard and aged to Rioja Gran Reserva standards in 100% new French oak, this limited production of just 75 cases will be released in December 2025. Wow—this is fantastic! One of the best wines I tasted during my trip to Texas in October 2025 for the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival. It’s bold, robust, rich, and supple, with high-toned black cherry, blackberry, and fig fruit layered over dark loamy earth, dried violets, and cherry liqueur notes. Currant fruit and fine-grained tannins build across the palate, leading to a supple, dark-fruited finish with nuances of unsweetened cocoa powder and impressive intensity through the full-bodied close. Larry and Jeanine Kuhlken planted their first vineyard near Fredericksburg in the early 1990s, founding what would eventually become Pedernales Cellars, named after the nearby Pedernales River. In 2005, their children, David and Julie, joined the business, which remains family-run.

The Tempranillo was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, while the Touriga Nacional spent 24 months in 100% neutral oak. This is the standout wine in the Reddy Wines lineup, showing lovely sweet red berry fruit, dried violets, and unsweetened cocoa powder. The palate is fresh and energetic through the mid-section, supported by powerful, robust tannins that carry a bright blood orange and dusty mineral finish. A very nice wine.

This is another variety that performs exceptionally well in Texas, and in the hands of John Rivenburgh it shows remarkable focus and precision. Expressive and juicy acidity drives the wine, balanced by fine, firm tannins with a distinct mineral edge. Blue fruit aromatics and cassis mingle with loamy earth, brown spice, and wet slate notes. A rock-solid wine with freshness, tension, and energy that perfectly support its rich profile.

This was one of the nicest wines I tasted during my impromptu visit to Siboney Cellars. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Challis (Clone 47) and Lahey (Clone 8) vineyards, it’s a great value at an SRP of $65—an impressively well-made Texas Cabernet. Dark berry fruit, loamy earth, violets, and crème de cassis lift from the glass. Medium- to full-bodied, it shows velvety tannins and a salty, saline minerality on the earth-driven finish.

Sourced from two sites—Family Vineyards and Bolen Vineyards in the Texas High Plains—the 2021 vintage saw reduced Merlot yields due to a spring cold spell. Aged for 32 months in 80% once-used and 20% new French oak, this wine offers striking aromatic richness and impressive mid-palate breadth. Supple-textured tannins frame spiced plum and black raspberry flavors, layered with notes of bright sagebrush, green tobacco, and cola nut that carry through a long, expressive finish.

The Mosaic is the winery’s classic Bordeaux blend and typically includes all five Bordeaux varieties, though this year’s weather was less accommodating. The wine is medium to full-bodied, showing ripe cherry, blackberry, and black raspberry fruit layered with notes of leather, tobacco, sagebrush, and black tea, finishing with a delicate floral lift. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

The Soleluce is a crunchy, red-fruited, zesty wine with rich forest berry and underbrush notes in a medium-bodied expression. Currant fruit and subtle tobacco spice nuances carry through to the fine finish. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

This wine shows a dark-fruited nose with loamy earth and blue fruit so characteristic of this area. Wonderful dark forest and savory tones mingle with dark chocolate notes, while firm, fine-grained tannins build through the full-bodied finish. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

From the Pepper Jack Vineyard, this Teroldego is full-bodied, deeply flavored, and unapologetically muscular. Inky dark fruit, black currant, saddle leather, and black olive pit dominate the nose and palate, underscored by savory notes of tobacco, leather, and olive tapenade. The tannins are powerful and structured, carrying the wine through a finish that lingers well over a minute. Talk about your ultimate barbecue wine.

Malbec from the Challis Vineyard, planted on brown-dirt soils and farmed and owned by Mike West. Clones 9 and 10 were fermented and aged separately before being blended together. 500 cases produced. 100% Malbec. Dark berry fruit leads, supported by cocoa powder and dried wild herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm yet supple tannins and a dry, focused finish.

Fermented in open-top vessels and aged for 18–24 months in mostly neutral French oak, this wine is light and red-fruited, showing high-toned, dusty minerality with firm, taut tannins that build grip and dryness on the finish. It’s a lean, structured expression that will likely gain volume and depth in future vintages with winemaker Michael Barton now at the helm—definitely one to watch for subsequent vintages.

Aged for 36 months in 33% new French oak, this wine comes from Newsom Vineyards in Plains, Texas, located due west of Lubbock and just seven miles from the Texas–New Mexico border. It’s a well-built wine showing ripe currant and spiced plum fruit with cocoa powder notes on the nose, complemented by bright baking spice, sagebrush, Hatch pepper, and a meaty undertone. Medium-bodied on the palate, it reveals more spice character and a pleasant loamy earth minerality on the finish. Balanced and polished, with a lush texture. Ab Astris is a boutique, family-owned winery founded by Erin and Tony Smith, with Mike Nelson heading up winemaking. Their 12-acre estate, planted between 2018 and 2019, grows a range of varieties including Tannat, Souzão, Clairette Blanche, Petite Sirah, and Montepulciano.

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