On my recent video interview with Llano Estacado Winery, I promised a review of a few of their wines was coming soon. So, maybe the "soon" part was a bit of an exaggeration, but I am finally getting around to getting some reviews posted.
I originally thought about letting this one wait until a Mourvedre Monday, in honor of the national weekly holiday instituted by my friend Jim Wilkerson on his VineGeek blog, but I decided that I couldn't wait. Mourvedre is one of the grapes in this blend, although it isn't the primary variety.
The 2008 Llano Estacado Signature Melange (I know, the name doesn't sound very appetizing), is a Rhone style blend comprised of 39.9% Syrah, 19.8% Carignane, 16.6% Mourvedre, 13.6% Grenache and 10.1%
Viognier. The alcohol on this one comes in at 12.8%, and you can purchase for anywhere from $9-$11. This wine is produced from all Texas grapes.
The nose on the wine is a really interesting mix of strong fruit components and some spicy and earthy notes. I am getting lots of cherry and a touch of blueberry, as well as some cocoa and a bit of minerals. There is an interesting musky aroma to the wine. On the palate, this wine has plenty of fruit behind it, with more cherry leading the way. There is also a touch of some game flavors, but this is primarily a fruit driven wine. The wine is well balanced and food friendly.
I love wines from the Rhone, and this wine has a lot of the same characteristics that you often find in a wine from the Southern Rhone. The Signature Melange is a pleasant wine for drinking by itself, but would also go really well with food, possibly with a nice pork tenderloin, as mentioned on the label of the wine. I would certainly recommend this wine for $11 or less, and I will be buying it again in the future.
Legend – Skip
it Meh
Worth a Try
Give it a Go
Run
Get Some
I love it! The Rhone Star State! You should go trademark that phrase right away. From what I’ve heard from you Rhone varietals grow well in Texas.
$11 is worthy of a try at 3 bottles
Josh
Nice. I’ve got a bottle of Becker “Prairie Rotie” that I’m looking forward to trying. I hope more Texas wineries take a chance on these grapes. It’s hard to imagine Texas making it’s mark with Cabernet, Merlot or Chardonnay.
And thanks for the Mourvèdre Monday shout-out!
Josh, I probably should. Could be the next Rhone Rangers.
I do think that Rhone varietals grow well here. Viognier is killing it here, and I think Mourvedre does really well too.
Jim, I haven’t tried the Becker, but I should give it a shot. I had a really nice McPherson Grenache/Mourvedre a while back. I think you are right about Cab, Merlot, and Chard. Even where there are good wines being made from these varieties, it seems like the state just has a better chance of standing out with other grapes.
Hey, “soon” is a relative term. I’ll be rich “soon”.
Great to hear about Viognier. For a grape that basically isn’t grown anywhere, it seems to do well in weird places. I’m very proud of Georgia Viognier myself. I wish it would take off in more places, because the Chardonnay crowd is missing out on- IMHO- one of the tastiest of white grapes around.
Love Rhône stuff myself. You must illegally ship me some of this Texas wine. I shall barter with a counter offer of highly-illegal Georgia shipments.
I have read this article and it is really very nice & important article.You should go trademark that phrase right away.I wish it would take off in more places,because the Chardonnay crowd is missing out on IMHO one of the tastiest of white grapes around.