Texas’ Best for Fall

Texas wines continue to push the quality envelope as seen in this selection of four wines that expand the palette of what Texas grows well: Rhône-style white and red, a German-Italian-style white, and a fine Bordeaux-style blend.

image2008 Becker Vineyards Prairie Rotie
Texas Hill Country
Moderate

‘Prairie Rotie’ is a verbal and vinous riff on Côte Rôtie, one of France’s greatest northern Rhône wines. Syrah, the main variety in Côte Rôtie (along with a little Viognier for spicy and floral aromatics), informs its Texas counterpart but with the help of those other classic southern Rhône varieties Mourvèdre, Carignan, and a cousin – Petite Syrah. On Texas limestone and granite soils the result is a graceful wine of dark-hued flavor recalling wild red fruit, mineral, and dried herbs such as thyme, lavender, oregano. Supple and full bodied, this is a wine for your Fall grilled game meats, but be sure to open and decant a few hours before serving to allow it to bloom.

image2008 Viviana by Llano Estacado Superiore Cuvée
Texas
Moderate

Viviana is Llano Estacado’s top white wine cuvée, complementing its top-tier red cuvée Viviano. Like the Viviano, Viviana is a blend of varieties, in this case a range of aromatic white varieties grown in the mountains of west Texas at Mont Sec vineyard at 3,900 feet altitude. The result is a wine like the fine and rare whites of the Rhône that combine exotic aromatics and spicy nuances with depth and complexity in a full-bodied wine. Both the palate and bouquet display a combination of orange blossom and orchard fruits such as peach and nectarine in a dry, supple textured wine. The finish is especially long and persistent in its mineral, spice, and floral aromatics. Viognier and Chardonnay contribute to the wine’s body and floral spice while smaller amounts of Muscat Canelli, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer add exotic fruit and spice.
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image2006 Fall Creek Meritus
Texas
Premium

Meritus is Fall Creek’s top red wine, a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 1% Syrah all from Texas vineyards. The color is a bright, deep ruby with a brick-tile rim. This leads to an intense, high-toned bouquet filled with black currant accented with tobacco from the Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition to the black currant, there’s also ripe, sweet plum. It’s full-bodied and supple with velvety, moderate tannins on the finish. Oak is skillfully balanced as it is always just a background note adding a touch of spice to the other elements in the wine. Fall Creek was founded in 1975 making it a pioneer in the modern Texas wine scene.
 

image2007 Messina Hof Gewurztraminer
Texas
Value

One wouldn’t normally expect a Texas-grown Gewurztraminer to show such exquisitely balanced character, but here’s another reason for wine lovers to be impressed with what Texas can do vinously. Substantial credit also has to go to Messina Hof, one of the state’s wine pioneers founded in 1977. The 2008 is a bright, light-yellow color with classic, varietal aromas of roses, litchi, exotic spice along with a touch of citrus and bacon smoke. On the palate the wine is supple, fullish, with a tangy citrus fruit and note of pith giving the wine flavors lift and freshness. There’s barely a noticeable touch of fruit sweetness on the middle palate ending in a dry, citrus peel savoriness. Try with a classic Alsatian Gewurztraminer match such as onion tart or with country pâtés, terrines and Munster cheese.
 

 
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