C.L. Butaud
Twin Tempranillo
Texas, USA
Celebrating Texas Wine Month with a little comparative tasting of what I think to be Texas’ best red varietal. I followed these over the course of a few days to see how they ended up.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is Texas wine at its finest. I’ve been able to taste a fair amount of TX reds and this is the best I’ve come across. Randy Hester (of Lightning Wines in Napa) is the winemaker. He’s a Texan and has created his first TX label that is 100% TX Tempranillo. The depth and flavor in this is astounding for it being all Texan. Needs a healthy decant. Black peppercorns, rhubarb pie, licorice and gummy bear on the nose. Deep red color with a small showing of purple. Medium bodied on the palate with a lingering cedar, cherry, and slight spicy finish. Almost like a Ridge Zin with a tiny bit less weight.
These are sold in 3-packs ($45/Bottle) to members only. I HIGHLY suggest trying this out. This is only one of many TX wines that are really starting to change the perception of TX reds. 🤘🏼
Celebrating Texas Wine Month with a little comparative tasting of what I think to be Texas’ best red varietal. I followed these over the course of a few days to see how they ended up.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is Texas wine at its finest. I’ve been able to taste a fair amount of TX reds and this is the best I’ve come across. Randy Hester (of Lightning Wines in Napa) is the winemaker. He’s a Texan and has created his first TX label that is 100% TX Tempranillo. The depth and flavor in this is astounding for it being all Texan. Needs a healthy decant. Black peppercorns, rhubarb pie, licorice and gummy bear on the nose. Deep red color with a small showing of purple. Medium bodied on the palate with a lingering cedar, cherry, and slight spicy finish. Almost like a Ridge Zin with a tiny bit less weight.
These are sold in 3-packs ($45/Bottle) to members only. I HIGHLY suggest trying this out. This is only one of many TX wines that are really starting to change the perception of TX reds. 🤘🏼
A gifted bottle by a fellow Texan @Shay Aldriedge of which I'm thankful for your willingness to share this inaugural vintage. 100% Texas Tempranillo. One of the most impressive Texas offerings I've had. Dark and dense in the glass. Oak and plum on the nose. Somewhat austere but show promise in the future. Licorice, menthol and mineral run the entire palate. On the finish a get this smoked element mixed with dark cherry. I look forward to what they have to offer in the years to come. Thank you Shay for gifting this.
A gifted bottle by a fellow Texan @Shay Aldriedge of which I'm thankful for your willingness to share this inaugural vintage. 100% Texas Tempranillo. One of the most impressive Texas offerings I've had. Dark and dense in the glass. Oak and plum on the nose. Somewhat austere but show promise in the future. Licorice, menthol and mineral run the entire palate. On the finish a get this smoked element mixed with dark cherry. I look forward to what they have to offer in the years to come. Thank you Shay for gifting this.
Mar 19th, 20172014 C L Butaud Tempranillo. 100% Tempranillo from Randy Hester.
2014 C L Butaud Tempranillo. 100% Tempranillo from Randy Hester.
Oct 2nd, 2017VERY interested to try this wine as I just bought a 3-pack a little while back. This Randy Hester wine is doing GREAT things. 100% Texas Tempranillo sourced from Tx High Plains (Bingham and Farmhouse Vineyards both claim source). The sharp bite that seems to be present in a lot of Texas Temps. Not sure if it's the soil that adds this note or what, but I believe it is because it is not there in a lot of hill country AVA fruit. Either way, this tempranillo did not have that tart bite on the front. Lovely expressive tempranillo perfume came rolling out of the glass. I do know that Texas temp really does like to sit, and this one is a baby. The thing I noted most about this wine was its structure. This. Will. Age. Well. It just needs a little more time for integration. This solidified my happiness of a 3-pack purchase, and glad I was able to get a sneak peak. Really neat project wine by Randy Hester. If anyone knows how to manipulate the "wilder side" of grapes and tame the wild beast, it is him!
VERY interested to try this wine as I just bought a 3-pack a little while back. This Randy Hester wine is doing GREAT things. 100% Texas Tempranillo sourced from Tx High Plains (Bingham and Farmhouse Vineyards both claim source). The sharp bite that seems to be present in a lot of Texas Temps. Not sure if it's the soil that adds this note or what, but I believe it is because it is not there in a lot of hill country AVA fruit. Either way, this tempranillo did not have that tart bite on the front. Lovely expressive tempranillo perfume came rolling out of the glass. I do know that Texas temp really does like to sit, and this one is a baby. The thing I noted most about this wine was its structure. This. Will. Age. Well. It just needs a little more time for integration. This solidified my happiness of a 3-pack purchase, and glad I was able to get a sneak peak. Really neat project wine by Randy Hester. If anyone knows how to manipulate the "wilder side" of grapes and tame the wild beast, it is him!
Jul 29th, 2017