Best Texas Wines

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

Here are the best dry rosé and Blanc du Bois of 2015.

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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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Best Texas Wines

The best Texas wines of 2015: Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo

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Most of these wines were so good they sold out.

For the third installment of the best Texas wines of 2015, we present the top three Cabernet Sauvignons and Tempranillos. Regarding the latter, it is fast becoming the lead Mediterranean red varietal for which our great state is known.

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

Already we have published the TWJ’s picks for the best Viogniers and Syrahs, as well as white blends and red blends. There are more to explore that rank among the best of the year on the TWJ website.

On the previous two lists of the best Texas wines, we included information about where to buy. In the case of these Cabs and Tempranillos, all but one is sold out; Lewis Wines Tempranillo is still available, at the winery only. However, you can still get a taste of what these producers can do — and what future vintages to watch for.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Texas Legato Winery, Texas, Hoover Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011
93 points, $25
“A standout,” writes Margaret Shugart in her tasting notes, with “layers of complexity that show some age.” Shugart also calls it “well-balanced with integrated tannins and acidity.”

Flat Creek Estate, Texas High Plains, Newsom Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010
92 points, $34.95
TWJ panelist and CultureMap contributor Matt McGinnis writes, “It’s a mouthful of blackberry and plum” that “shows great complexity with fruity, floral, and herbal aromas.” He goes on to say this Cab is a pleasure to drink now, yet will age well for up to eight more years.

Kiepersol Estates, Texas, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009
91 points, $20
Miguel Lecuona calls this Cab “cool and collected” with “dark fruit, underbrush, plum, and well-integrated oak.” He goes on to write in his tasting notes: “I am a fan.”

TEMPRANILLO

Flat Creek Estate, Texas High Plains, Los Draw Vineyards, Tempranillo, 2011
91 points, $34.95
Sam Hovland writes this is a very good wine to drink or to hold, with a “ripe nose of black fruit and plum, leading to a more toasty roasted coffee/mocha note.”

Times Ten Cellars, Cathedral Mountain Vineyard, Tempranillo, 2012
90 points, $19
“This wine is reminiscent of old vine Tempranillo from Toro, with very intense aromas of black cherry, anise, and spice,” Mark Rashap says. He goes on to call it “full-bodied,” “luscious,” and “velvety.” It’s a solid choice for those who like full-bodied California Zins and Petite Syrahs.

Lewis Wines, Texas Hill Country, Parr Vineyard, Tempranillo, 2011
89 points, $32
“This wine is highly attractive with good structure, balance, and length,” writes Miguel Lecuona in his tasting notes. Hold onto this special wine, he says.

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Coming up next: dry rosé and Blanc du Bois.

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