{"id":7017,"date":"2020-02-11T14:21:15","date_gmt":"2020-02-11T20:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/?p=7017"},"modified":"2020-02-14T12:48:20","modified_gmt":"2020-02-14T18:48:20","slug":"texas-wine-roundup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/2020\/02\/texas-wine-roundup\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Wine Roundup!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The holiday season is a distant memory, but February and March are exciting times in my neck of the woods. In addition to that Hallmark holiday with all the red and pink stuff, it is also Mardi Gras season and rodeo season. And we go big for both at our house. Beads and king cake seamlessly give way to cowboy boots and hats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

My rodeo season actually got started last November when I served as a wine judge<\/span><\/a> for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo\u2019s (HLSR) 2020 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition. After 120 of us tasted through over 3,500 wines and awarded many medals, it now time for the winners to be served at the Champion Wine Garden during the rodeo. One of the things that I love about the competition is how many Texas wines are entered and end up being awarded medals. All double-blind tasted with no Texas bias, of course. That so many Texas wines can compete with wines from all over the world is a testament that the industry has come a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So as I\u2019m gearing up for Rodeo season and even attending several pre-Rodeo events including the Rodeo Run, Rodeo Roundup & Best Bites Competition (seriously one of the best wine and food events ever!), HLSR World\u2019s Championship BBQ Contest, and the HLSR Black Heritage Committee Gala (whew!), I find that I tend to have lots of Texas wine in my glass. And y\u2019all, the Texas wine business is wide open and booming! Here are a few that I\u2019ve sipped on as of late – some as samples and some from my cellar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2017 Kuhlman Cellars<\/a> Sangiovese, Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains ($38)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Kuhlman Cellars Sangiovese<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I still remember the first time I visited Kuhlman Cellars<\/span><\/a>, shortly after they opened and being impressed with their wines. But it has been a while, so I was thrilled when I was sent a couple of their latest releases to test drive. This is a single varietal, single vineyard wine from Newsom Vineyards in the Texas High Plains.<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Kuhlman Cellars has perfected the art of the blend, so they don\u2019t make many varietal wines. On the occasions when they do make one, it\u2019s a sure bet that it is something special. Made from the Brunello clone of Sangiovese, it sounds sixteen months in new French oak. Showing a clear garnet in the glass, it is medium bodied with bright acidity and smooth tannins. Aromas and flavors of earth, tart cherry, and strawberry. Such an elegant wine that was a joy to drink. Pair with roast duck or pork or just a relaxing evening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2015 Ab Astris<\/a> Montepulciano, Reddy Vineyards, Texas High Plains ($39)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"