Lost Draw Cellars and Bingham Family Vineyards Grapes Earn Honors In Texas Monthly List of Top Wines
Texas Monthly magazine recently came out with their list of the top wines of Texas for 2015. According to the wine tasters and judges used by Texas Monthly, there were more than 120 Texas wines sampled. One rule was that more than 75 percent of the wine be produced using grapes grown in Texas.
Labels were hidden and wines were stored at appropriate temperatures before tasting. After each round of wine was poured, they were evaluated based on standard tasting criteria modeled from the Court of Master Sommeliers: five points per category of nose, palate, structure, balance, and finish for a potential total score of 25.
Of the top wines in Texas, several were made with grapes grown in Terry County. Lost Draw Cellars boasted two wines on the list and grapes grown in their vineyards here in Terry County were used in the Grapecreek and William Chris wines.
In the Best Texas Reds category Lost Draw boasted one winner. Texas Monthly stated of this wine, “Lost Draw Cellars 2013 Sangiovese “A particularly happy find from noted High Plains grape grower, Andy Timmons and his winery’s partnership with Fredericksurg-area Troy Ottmers and Andrew Sides. Aromas of lavender, ripe cherries and graham cracker crumbs offer an inviting introduction to this wine. On the palate, well integrated tannins intermingle with pleasantly tart red fruit and leave a warm, lingering finish.”
In the Rose’ category, Lost Draw was again singled out. “Lost Draw Cellars 2014 Arroyo Rose “If only all wines could be this easy. Brimming with raspberries, strawberries, lime, and a touch of lemon cream, this wine is as welcoming on the nose as it is on the palate. A true friend to all, its quaffable appeal is the sort that prompts a celebratory call for “rose all day.”
The Oswald Family Vineyard was one named the magazine stated of the red wine made with these grapes, “Duchman Family Winery 2012 Montepulciano Oswald Vineyard “A more medium to fuller-bodied wine, Duchman’s single vineyard Montepulciano showcases Reilly’s abilities to coax out the subtleties of this Italian varietal. Baked cherries and candied blackberries take center stage with basil and tobacco playing supporting roles. Tannins are woody, but not overbearing, and the finish is balanced with a touch of baking spice on the end.”
The other wine named with Terry County roots was from the Bingham Family Vineyards. This wine was of the white variety. The magazine stated, “Bingham Family Vineyards 2014 Cloudburst “From one of the state’s largest grape growers, the Bingham Family has supplied many of Texas’ top wineries with grapes for more than ten years. This year, they turned their attention towards winemaking as well. This happy blend of their most notable white grapes includes Trebbiano, Vermentino, Roussanne, Chardonnay, and Viognier. Aromas of green apple and lemon zest lead while a bright minerality pervades.”
Congratulations to these Terry County Vineyards for helping to keep Terry County the Grape Capital of Texas.
Article courtesy of the Brownfield News
