Best Texas Wine

The best Texas wines of 2015: white blends and red blends

These are the best white blends and red blends from 2015.

We are back with Texas Wine Journal’s picks for the best wines produced in our great state in 2015. In the introduction to the series, we presented the top Viogniers and Syrahs. Now we’ve moved on to white blends and red blends.

As a reminder, TWJ relies on consensus, rather than the opinion of a single taster, to make recommendations. The goal: more credible and objective ratings.

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.

We are presenting the list of the best Texas wines of 2015 in four batches, with the top three in two varietals per batch. There are more to explore that rank among the best of the year on the TWJ website.

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 retailers mentioned. Plus, the price can vary. But this gives you a good idea about where to start, and we mention wine retailers around Texas, not just Austin.

In cases where the wines received the same number of points, they are presented in alphabetical order. And each wine is accompanied by tasting notes from a member of the judges panel.

WHITE BLENDS

McPherson Cellars, Texas, “Les Copains,” 2014
91 points, $13-$15
This wine hits “all the key citrus notes,” writes Miguel Lecuona, who goes on to say that it’s “round, expressive, well-crafted, and balanced.”
Where to buy: Spec’s, H-E-B, Central Market, Whole Foods, Total Wine

William Chris Vineyards, Texas, “Mary Ruth,” 2014
89 points, $28
Scott Ota calls this a “fruit-forward summer wine that exudes freshness,” with flavors of ripe raspberries and peaches complemented by bright floral tones. “The acidity keeps the wine lighter on its feet,” he adds.
Where to buy: Austin Wine Merchant and East End Wines (Austin), The Empty Glass (Houston)

Wedding Oak Winery, Texas, Terre Blanc, 2014
87 points, $23
Rae Wilson notes this wine’s “crystal clear bright straw hue,” with clean fruit, freshly cut herbs, and chalky minerality.
Where to buy: Winery only

RED BLENDS

Fall Creek Vineyards, Texas Hill Country, GSM (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvédre), 2013
91 points, $46
“I want to come back to this in three years,” writes Miguel Lecuona, who notes the wine’s dark cherry, mahogany, and herbs.
Where to buy: Spec’s, Twin Liquors (Austin)

Llano Estacado, Texas High Plains, Reddy Vineyards, “Due Compaesani,” 2013
91 points, $20
Rae Wilson likes this wine’s full-textured body and deep burgundy hue. “Dried berries and concentrated plum notes follow on the palate with just enough lift from rounded preserved citrus notes,” she writes in her tasting notes.
Where to buy: Winery only

Pedernales Cellars, Texas, GSM, 2013
91 points, $14-$16
Blackberry and raspberry dominate the nose on this medium- to full-bodied wine, with notes of cocoa. “Great balance of fresh berry tones and rich texture ending with an elegantly persistent finish,” writes Rae Wilson.
Where to buy: Spec’s, Whole Foods

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Best Texas Wines

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

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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 ROSÉ

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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