In honor of Texas Independence Day, I decided that it was my duty as a Texan to drink a little Texas wine last night. It's not like I really ever need an excuse to drink Texas wine, but I'll take one anyway. My selection is the 2008 McPherson Cellars Sangiovese. This wine is no stranger to me, but I haven't reviewed it here yet, so I thought I'd take the opportunity now.
This wine is made in Lubbock, Texas. The alcohol comes in at 13.1%, and runs somewhere in the neighborhood of $16.
The nose on this wine is full of spices, with black pepper and some slightly herbal notes. I also get cherry, some raspberry and plums. The palate is creamy, with more spice and dark fruits. This wine has a very old world feel to it. It is absolutely perfect when served with pizza or lasagna. I'm drinking with some pizza, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to be forced to finish the whole bottle. Yum!
I saw that this wine was one of the wines selected for the Texas wine tasting in New York yesterday, and I can understand why. The McPhersons were early adopters on Sangiovese as a grape that would grow well on the High Plains of Texas, and have been making quality wines from this varietal for a long time. I'm not sure what percentage of the grapes in this wine are from Texas. The label says "For Sale in Texas Only", so I know that it's less than the 75% required to be labeled a "Texas Wine". Regardless, this wine drinks very well, and I find it to be a good value at $16.
Final Grade (1-5)
Legend
- Skip
it Meh
Worth a Try
Give it a Go
Run
Get Some
I’m getting more and more excited about trying that Texas Sangiovese. Texas seems like it would really be suited to growing those old-world-style grapes, and you seem to be confirming this.
I agree with the first Josh – I think Sangiovese will be the breakout star in Texas. That and maybe Mourvedre?
Josh
Yep, I think that’s definitely one of the grapes that shines here. Tempranillo is another, and I think Mourvedre grows well here, but I don’t see as much of it. I think that the best shot that Texas has of entering the wine mainstream is to focus on these varieties that could really express a unique Texas terroir.
Interesting… I’d like to try some Texas wine but have no idea how to find any up here in WA. Will you bring any bottles to WBC10?
Oh, and weird that it’s labeled “for sale in Texas only” – are they required to do that for wine made in Texas from non-Texas grapes? I really wish we would end this whole state wine law craziness.
Hey Steven, I’m going to try to bring some Texas wine to WBC10, but we’ll just have to see how much I can get by with.
I might have a bunch shipped out to my father-in-law’s before I head out there, since he lives in Kennewick. That way I can have plenty to share with you guys.
Yeah, it’s a weird state law about the “for sale in Texas only” thing. I think it’s a pretty stupid law. Basically, if a wine is made in Texas, but has less than 75% Texas fruit, it gets labeled that way and can’t say “Texas” on the front of the label. Given the shortage of grapes being produced in the state (I talk about this some in my VinTuba guest post on Texas wine – http://blog.vintuba.com/2010/02/11/puttin-the-dubya-back-in-wine-texas-style-yall/ ), there are a lot of non “Texas” wines being produced here.
I love a good Sangiovese. The price on this one seems right on!
Yeah, I think it’s a great price. Really nice value on this one.
Ben, I too am really intrigued and want a bottle of Texas grown and produced wine from whatever you can ship or transport to WBC. We’ve had success carrying about 6 bottles in a suitcase as a checked bag wrapped in the eggshell wine bottle packers and surrounded by clothes. Depends on the airline if this is cost effective. Fly Southwest, the bags are free!
I’d suggest you forget about bringing clothes to Walla Walla, just wine. We’ll find you some clothes to wear while your here and fill your suitcase with WA’s finest for the return trip.
Chris, I will try to find a way to get as much good Texas made wine to WBC as possible. I’m sure I will be flying Southwest, so maybe that will be an option.
Yeah, who needs clothes anyway, right?