WINE! DO YOU LIKE WINE? I LIKE WINE. WINE IS GOOD AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE VINEYARDS IS LOS PINOS RANCH. LET’S TALK A BIT ABOUT THEIR SELECTIONS SHALL WE? FIRST I’D LIKE TO MENTION THEIR NEW…. INVENTION? IT IS A Canned WINE USING CO2 RATHER THAN CARBONATION. EVER WANTED TO SIT BY THE BEACH AND ENJOY A NICE GLASS OF SPIKED GRAPE JUICE OR FLOAT DOWN THE RIVER WITH YOUR FAVORITE YEAR? WELL NOW YOU CAN ENJOY SOME OF THE FINEST WINE OUT OF TEXAS (POSSIBLY THE WORLD!) AS YOU ENJOY SOME NICE COOLING WATER IN THE BLAZING SUN.

I HONESTLY DIDN’T THINK I WOULD ENJOY SUCH A CONTRAPTION, BUT I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. THE WINE WASN’T FLAT LIKE I EXPECTED AND STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL OUT OF THE BOTTLE FLAVOR BUT… DIFFERENT. DIFFERENT IN A GOOD WAY. A GREAT WAY! OK, SO THE BREAKDOWN WITH THIS. WE HAD A SAMPLE OF EACH OF THEIR WINE SELECTIONS THEY HAD BROUGHT WITH THEM. GERALD, THE GENEROUS HOST AND OWNER OF LOS PINOS RANCH, TOLD US A TIDBIT OF THE HISTORY OF EACH BOTTLE AND THE HINTS THAT WE TASTED. MOSCATO, FOR EXAMPLE, IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. THE COVER OF EACH BOTTLE HAS A “MAD CATTER” AS THEY CALL HIM. THE TASTE OF THE WINE IS A VERY SWEET ALMOST FRUITY FLAVOR.

Rosato - 2018

The first wine that we tasted was the Rosato (seen in the photo accompanying this section of the blog). This is described as a spicy dry Rosé dry blend. The blend consists of 40% Sangiovese, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Tempranillo, a tasty combination grown in the Texas High Plains. The taste is very refreshing, light, and crisp. Almost like a fresh green apple in summer. The first bite being bitter, yet sweet to the tongue. The creators describe the taste as a “medley of ripe red fruit offers dominant flavors of rose petals, violets, tart cherry, nutmeg, and cinnamon.” This Spanish style wine can be, in my humble opinion, enjoyed at any interval, year round. I would definitely add this one to my list of favorites. It deserve any praise given to it. This is a good one.

Montepulciano - 2017

The second wine we tasted was the Montepulciano. This wine was also tasty (I love Los Pinos wine if you can’t tell just yet!). This is an Italian wine grown right here in Texas. One thing about Los Pinos that I personally appreciate is that each wine they make (with the exception of a few!) is grown in Texas. They set this wine as a tribute to ancient Etruscan roots as well as Old and New Italy. Once more grown in the Texas High Plains, this has very peculiar tastes to it, namely black cherry, pomegranate, red plum, and blackberry then finishes with a hint of cocoa, vanilla and, believe it or not, oregano spice.

Sangiovese -2017

Next up is a Chianti-style, bold, spicy red wine. Sangiovese has balanced flavors of earthen Fall herbs, licorice, black cherry, caramel, rhubarb, fennel and capsicum with light characteristics of wet slate and mineral. It is very delicious and is definitely a favorites list wine. I loved this and actually surprised that I did. It was unexpected, but happily appreciated! This Old World Tuscan wine is a great one for all kinds of meals and fits well in any type of lifestyle. I encourage you pick it up soon!

Cabernet Sauvignon - 2017

This limited release Cabernet Sauvignon from the Texas High Plains, once again, is another great addition to the winery. I appreciate the caramel, toffee, leather, tobacco, cherry cola, white pepper and toasted oak tastes in this very bold wine. As Los Pinos says this wine “works well with all things Texas!” Another to add to the favorites list.

Texican - 2015

Next up is a Dry Red Blend! A great monster wine. The story behind this one is about Texan and Mexican heritages blending. The integration of Mexican culture into the Texan ways has influenced the creation of this wine. From bold to soft, this wine has some distinct flavors that are definitely reminiscent of Texas and Mexico cultures blending together. Made to honor the state of Texas, this wine accomplished what it sets out to do!

Collage - 2017

This blend of 3 Bordeaux red grape varietals adds something new to the collection. Crafted in an entirely new way, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot is, once again, one to add to the favorites list. This fine dry red wine has a pleasant, vibrant bouquet with prominent flavors of black cherry, red berry jam and cocoa bean. This is one to keep for all occasions. Drink it immediately or keep it for a night of specialty.

Besitos de Chocolate

CHOCOLATE! Who doesn’t love chocolate? Ok, well most chocolate wines do not provide what you’d want from it. This one, however, does! It provides an almost indistinguishable chocolate taste. I could not tell the difference in some chocolate bits we had and this wine (with the exception of the alcohol content…). With strawberry hints and the chocolate combining, this would easily go on the honeymoon must have list or any type of special type of night. Definitely one to not skip out on!

Texas Torte - 2013

Tawny-style port wine. Aged in American oak barrels for over 3 years, this brings Black Spanish Grapes into Texas. Celebrating the arrival of Spanish missionaries to a settlement in Texas. Considered to be the oldest growing varietals in Texas outside of naturally occurring Texan Grapes, this is a very tasty wine as well! You could say this old grape has aged well bringing sweet and bold textures to our palate.

All My X’s

Sweet red wine that's 100% pure Texas! A delicious sweet red wine and based on the oh so famous song. I won’t name names, but… you know what song it is. This one is a very specific wine and is great for… again… all things Texas! A definite favorite of many, including myself.

Moscato

on of My personal favorite… A very sweet white wine. I have a HUGE sweet tooth, and this satisfies it. With tastes like honeysuckle, peach, pear and apple, this “Mad Catter” really hits the spot. Being their wildest wine, I can’t help but get a glass of this amazing addition to my top 5 list of wines.

Conclusion

Go to Los Pinos and regret nothing. After this wine tasting I took my wife and her sisters and we had a good time taking photos and drinking wine and eating amazing charcuterie boards brought to our table. The staff was amazing, kind, and considerate. As the live band setup outside by the fire pit in front of the rows of wine grapes, we went inside to taste the delicious wines once more. We ended up buying three different types, Moscato, All My X’s, and a third that I don’t remember! Gerald ended up having to go before we could talk to him sadly, but he was very kind and explained his absence! A great sign of someone who truly cares of his clientele and friends. I wanted to tour the facilities to get a good look at what exactly was going on behind the scenes. The General Manager was there thankfully and graciously gave us a tour and a good story of the different parts. Granted he has only been there for several weeks, he was a wonderful guide. The people there are the epitome of how a winery should act and how the people should be. They even let us take photos inside the brewery and showed us the different areas inside.

I leave you now with this photo of the wines we purchased in some amazing still window light. I am grateful we were there when we were, it was a beautiful scene and I WILL be going back.