Jeff’s Corner

Hey, Hey, Hey,

The much anticipated October wine allocation is finally here (it’s been a long time since June). It will be available for pick-up this weekend as soon as your order is processed, and will be shipped Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week.

Wine Club members are typically the first to receive new vintages before they go “public”, and if you’re in the Black Label Club you will get the new ’17 Merlot, and if you’re in the Mixed Club you will enjoy the ’17 Cabernet Trois.

Here are the tasting notes I’ve written for these lovely wines, and when they are released on the tasting bar, I’ll post a more comprehensive story on each.

Cheers!

 

2017 Merlot

A definite old-world style Merlot (it doesn’t punch us in the nose like some California monsters), this 2017 Texas wine shows graceful complexities that yield an easy-to-drink, perfect summertime red. Zee Merlot is 87.5% Merlot and 12.5% Malbec with an ABV of 13.5%.

The color is medium garnet with moderate extraction and a clean rim. Primary aromas of red plum, cherry, raspberry, and blueberry are enhanced by subtle hints of cedar, cinnamon, caramel, and toffee. The aroma and flavor ripens and gains intricacy after 30-40 minutes in the glass.

Soft and supple on the palate, the ’17 is medium bodied with playful acidity and soft oak and tannins that are well-integrated with the fruit. The fruitiness lingers in a deceptively long finish that beckons sip after sip. Let’s serve this around 60*.

2017 Cabernet Trois

Our longest tenured red wine (the ’17 is the 27th anniversary of Cabernet Trois), this Texas beauty is very true in style to all the great wines that have gone before it. It is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Ruby Cabernet, and 20% Cabernet Franc with an ABV of 13.8%. The 23% Ruby Cab is atypically high, and the first time I can remember it being greater than the Cab Franc.

The color is a densely extracted ruby/garnet. Aromas are incredibly complex, with layers of blackberry, black cherry, black plum, and cassis supported by dark cocoa, cracked black pepper, leather, espresso, and fresh tobacco.

For a young wine, the ’17 Cab Trois is extremely accessible. There is a seamless progression across our palate with the dark fruit in perfect harmony with sweet tannins and toasted oak. The finish is rich, elegant, and lingering. I suggest serving between 60-65*.