Lightsome Wines
Touriga Nacional
Texas, USA
Aromatically and texturally, this is on another level from every other Texas wine I’ve had. Stunning effort and this is only her second vintage!
Aromatically and texturally, this is on another level from every other Texas wine I’ve had. Stunning effort and this is only her second vintage!
Nov 22nd, 2020
Four months ago I visited the exciting newcomer to Texas and our first serious natural wine shop - Southold Cellars. Our spring allocation tasting was led by Adrienne Ballou, assistance winemaker. After I left, I learned Adrienne was just about to release her second vintage under her personal side project, Lightsome. I didn’t give it much thought but recently was persuaded to try her Tourigo Nacional.
I’m really stunned. This is easily the best Texas wine I’ve tried. It’s not even close really. And I’d be surprised if Adrienne recognized how good this is.
The aromatics are stunning and elegant. What you get from the best Cru Beaujolais. Sour wild blueberries, macerated raspberries, and iodine. Significant stem inclusion - it’s the flesh of Gamay and personality of cool climate Syrah. I can’t wait for what’s next from Adrienne.
Side note: I since learned Eric Texier went bananas for this wine at our WildWorld Fest in Austin this year. I’m not crazy
Four months ago I visited the exciting newcomer to Texas and our first serious natural wine shop - Southold Cellars. Our spring allocation tasting was led by Adrienne Ballou, assistance winemaker. After I left, I learned Adrienne was just about to release her second vintage under her personal side project, Lightsome. I didn’t give it much thought but recently was persuaded to try her Tourigo Nacional.
I’m really stunned. This is easily the best Texas wine I’ve tried. It’s not even close really. And I’d be surprised if Adrienne recognized how good this is.
The aromatics are stunning and elegant. What you get from the best Cru Beaujolais. Sour wild blueberries, macerated raspberries, and iodine. Significant stem inclusion - it’s the flesh of Gamay and personality of cool climate Syrah. I can’t wait for what’s next from Adrienne.
Side note: I since learned Eric Texier went bananas for this wine at our WildWorld Fest in Austin this year. I’m not crazy
