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    Best Texas Wines

    The best Texas wines of 2015: Syrah and Viognier

    Jennifer Chininis
    Feb 19, 2016 | 10:32 am
    Glass of white and red wine
    We partnered with the Texas Wine Journal to bring you the best Texas wines of 2015.
    iStock

    You call yourself a locavore. You like to eat what’s grown nearby — not only to follow the seasons but also to support your fellow Texans. Maybe you want to support local wineries too, but you don’t know where to start.

    Enter Texas Wine Journal, which is devoted to building awareness for Texas wine through independent, credible, and objective ratings. That means the journal relies on consensus, rather than the opinion of a single taster, to make recommendations.

    The journal held its first tasting in December 2013. It now packages all ratings from the year in a consumer-friendly, best-of list broken down by varietal. CultureMap has partnered with the Texas Wine Journal to publish its panel's picks for 2015.

    “In no other time in our 360-plus year history of making wine in Texas have the wines been better, more expressive, more rooted to their place, and more appreciated and sought after,” says tasting director Daniel Kelada.

    “The industry is advancing at every level. Growers both big and small are not just farming grapevines, they are wine growing. And producers are simply crafting better wines, with better quality fruit, better understanding, better tools and resources, and more experience.”

    The TWJ scores range from 75-100, and wines are rated as average, good, very good, excellent, and extraordinary; only wines scoring 80 points or higher are published. In addition to pointed ratings, consumer ratings are provided in the form of “recommended” and “highly recommended” wines. The complete methodology is available on the Texas Wine Journal website, as is a list of judges.

    CultureMap is presenting the list of the best Texas wines of 2015 in four batches, with the top three in two varietals per batch.

    A caveat about where to buy and price information: Some of these are sold out, or they are available only at select locations of the places mentioned. Plus, the price can vary. But this gives you a good idea about where to start. Wine retailers from around Texas are mentioned.

    First up: Syrah and Viognier. In cases where the wines received the same number of points, they are presented in alphabetical order.

    SYRAH

    Lost Oak Winery, Texas Shiraz, Gold Label, NV
    92 points, $30
    This wine is a bit closed at first but opens with air, says Jim Cubberley, who also calls it “chewy,” “intense,” “balanced,” and “classically structured.” It’s a full-bodied wine, but it’s not heavy.
    Where to buy: This one is sold out, but a new vintage is coming this summer.

    Perissos Vineyard & Winery, Texas Hill Country, Estate Syrah, 2013
    91 points, $68
    This well-made wine is “just plain delicious,” according to Jim Cubberley. Although not the most complex, this Syrah is “nicely concentrated, slightly floral, with juicy black plum and blackberry fruit.” A lack of oak “adds to the allure.”
    Where to buy: Houston Wine Merchant (Houston), The Vintage Cellar (Fredericksburg)

    Salt Lick Cellars, Texas Hill Country, Maile’s Vineyard, Syrah, 2013
    89 points, $55
    “This is a rare and exceptional expression of Texas Syrah,” writes Jennifer Beckman in her tasting notes. Aromatics of flowers and baking spice are followed by flavors of rich blackberry, anisette, white pepper, and earthy wet soil.
    Where to buy: Spec’s, Total Wine

    VIOGNIER

    Blue Ostrich Winery, Texas, Viognier, 2014
    91 points, $22
    “A brilliant pair for warm weather,” writes Rae Wilson, who also notes the wine’s pale straw color, clean tropical fruit, hints of aromatic garden herbs, and flinty texture.
    Where to buy: ​Checkered Past Winery (Dallas), Wine Styles (Keller, Mansfield, Flower Mound), Metzler’s (Denton), Silver Dollar Winery (Bedford)

    Lost Oak Winery, Texas High Plains, Bingham Family Vineyard, Viognier, 2014
    91 points, $21
    “Don’t let the light, clear color of this wine fool you,” writes Jim Cubberley. “This Viognier is definitely the fuller-bodied style.” He goes on to note flavors of stone fruits, honey, and minerals, with a fine acidity that balances the richness. He suggests pairing with cold soups or ceviche.
    Where to buy: It is currently sold out but will be rebottled.

    McPherson Cellars, Texas, Viognier, 2014
    91 points, $16
    In his tasting notes, Rob Moshein remarks that this wine has a pretty, floral nose and flavors of rich, peach-toned fruit. He also notes a nice viscosity, bright acids, full flavors, and long finish.
    Where to buy: Spec’s, H-E-B, Central Market, Whole Foods, Total Wine

    ---

    Coming up next: white blends and red blends.

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    Best Texas Wines

    The best Texas wines of 2015: dry rosé and Blanc du Bois

    Jennifer Chininis
    Mar 14, 2016 | 2:24 pm
    The best Texas wines of 2015: dry rosé and Blanc du Bois
    iStock
    Here are the best dry rosé and Blanc du Bois of 2015.

    This is the fourth and final installment of the best Texas wines of 2015, in which we’ve revealed the top bottles as determined by Texas Wine Journal. This last list looks at the best dry rosé and Blanc du Bois.

    Texas Wine Journal relies on consensus, rather than the opinion of a single taster, to make objective recommendations. Wines are scored from 75-100 and rated as average, good, very good, excellent, and extraordinary. Only wines scoring 80 points or higher are published.

    For our lists, we took the top three most highly rated of all the wines scored last year. We started with Viognier and Syrah, moved on to white blends and red blends, and then got to Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo.

    There are more to explore that rank among the best of the year on the TWJ website.

    DRY ROSE

    Brennan Vineyards, Mourvedre Rosé, 2014
    88 points, $20
    “Too dangerous to drink alone,” writes Jim Cubberley, who likes this rosé’s fragrant aromas of strawberries and blackberries, surprising medium body, and fresh texture in the mouth. “Simply one of the tastiest Texas dry rosés I’ve had this year.”
    Where to buy: Spec’s, H-E-B, Central Market

    Calais Winery, La Cuvée De Gaston, 2014
    87 points, $30
    “A Texas nod to Provence, this rosé shows a beautiful balance of red fruit — Bing cherries and strawberry — with a vivacious underpinning of chalky minerality and acidity,” notes Margaret Shugart.
    Where to buy: This one is sold out, but La Cuvée De Gaston 2015 is coming in May.

    Lewis Wines, Mourvedre Rosé, 2014
    87 points, $30
    Mark Rashap notes “very delicate aromas of orange peel, wild berries, and roses” on this wine reminiscent of a Provence rosé. “Very pleasant wine to have with oily fish, creamy cheese, or anything carrying vinaigrette,” he adds.
    Where to buy: This wine is sold out.

    BLANC DU BOIS

    Haak Vineyards & Winery, Blanc du Bois Madeira, 2013
    91 points, $40
    Oscar Montes Iga says this wine, an “iconic Madiera-styled Blanc du Bois,” has flavors of molasses-covered dried peaches and apricots, with walnut and pine nut, “to accent any cheese course.”
    Where to buy: Spec’s, Kroger, Total Wine, Whole Foods, H-E-B

    Lewis Wines, Swim Spot, 2014
    87 points, $14
    Jim Cubberley gushes, “This a must-have by the case” and a “perfect summer wine for Texans.” It has a super light body, and it’s dry but not bracingly so — a cross between an expensive vinho verde and Austrian Gruner Veltliner.
    Where to buy: Winery only.

    Haak Vineyards & Winery, Estate Blanc du Bois, 2015
    86 points, $19
    “Looking for something fresh, juicy, light, and summery? This dry Blanc du Bois really hits the mark,” says Jim Cubberley, who also calls Haak “one of the best Blanc du Bois producers in the state.”
    Where to buy: Winery only.

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