You may have heard of the play Waiting for Godot. It was written by Irish playwright Samuel Beckett. In this play, Beckett features two characters engage in seemingly unending hours in discussions and encounters while awaiting their expected Godot, who never arrives. On the contrary, this winter in Texas, all things seem to be coming up not Godot, but Verdot… Petit Verdot that is, there is no need to wait any longer.
According to Grape Creek blog “Jeff’s Corner”, Petit Verdot (one of the five original red Bordeaux grape varieties) has definitely become a rising star in Texas. Its late-ripening characteristics are a plus in our hot, dry Texas environment. What was a late-ripening problem that almost lead to an abandonment of this grape in Europe, turned out to be a plus in Texas.
At this stop we are tasting two wines. One is from Grape Creek Vineyards and one from Jenblossom (JB) Cellars, both Heath Family brands on the outskirts of the hill country town of Fredericksburg. To taste Grape Creek and JB Cellars wines at the winery go east of town on Route 290.
There is also a new Heath Property, IV Inventions, located south of town on Route 16. In addition to these locations, Heath has tasting rooms located in downtown Fredericksburg and Georgetown.
Grape Creek Vineyards 2020 Invention (Red Wine Blend) Texas
Those at Grape Creek admit that they really didn’t plan on adding a new red wine right now. However, as the story goes, the Petit Verdot grapes from Russell Lepard Vineyards back in 2015 were so good that they decided to bottle 100 cases as a separate red wine. Before that, this Petit Verdot was typically blended into the Grape Creek Mosaic.
Forwarding to this tasting…. In this wine, Petit Verdot was blended with Cabernet Sauvignon (14%) and Merlot (10%), but retaining Petit Verdot (76%) as the dominant grape. The color is a rich, dark ruby giving evidence to its full-bodied existence. The aromas are dominant in black cherry, cassis, and black licorice. It is a sensual wine with a long finish supported with the added tannic structure from the Cabernet. If you are attentive you will also perceive something interesting… floral notes. Not to be overlooked, the alcohol content is moderate (13.2%) making this wine incredibly food-friendly.
Jenblossom Cellars 2020 Petit Verdot, Texas High Plains
Jenblossom Cellars is a relative new brand for the Heath Family focusing on ultra-premium, AVA-driven wines. The wines in the Jenblossom (JB) Cellars portfolio are emblematic of the rich and diverse terroirs from which they come.
From the start, JB Cellars featured wines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir with prestigious Napa and Sonoma terroirs such as Rutherford, Pritchard Hill, Atlas Peak, Yountville, Howell Mountain, Knight’s Valley, and Petaluma Gap. Joining this elite lineup is the 2020 JB Petit Verdot from the equally regarded Texas High Plains AVA.
In this 2020 Petit Verdot, layered flavors of black cherry and anise meld with aromas of violets and leather. They are showcased with a backdrop of sweet, subtle oak, perhaps French, also with a palate-friendly low 13.4% alcohol. The unique terroir of fine red sandy loam of the Texas High Plains and 3,300-foot elevation creates warm days and cool nights that combine to yield slow ripening and development of complex aromas and flavors. When these conditions are carefully watched and exploited, like they are in this wine, they bring a densely structured, powerful, and captivating 100% Petit Verdot wine.
Members are Special at Heath Family Properties
More information on all of the wine ventures of the Heath Family can be access online (click here). The Heath Family wineries and properties cater to their illustriously large and still growing wine club with wine purchase discounts, invitations to member events, access to Member-only wines and Grape Creek library wines, new release and pre-released wines. Exclusive Member-only access is available to patio, restaurant and lounge seating at all Heath Family Brands locations.
TASTING ROOM, VINEYARDS, WINERY
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICES
10587 East US Highway 290
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
830-644-2710
Open 11am – 5:30pm
ON MAIN ST., FREDERICKSBURG, TX
223 E. Main Street
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
830-992-3373
Open 11am – 5:30pm
ON THE SQUARE, GEORGETOWN, TX
101 W. 7th Street
Georgetown, TX 78626
512-863-4020
Open Mon-Sat 12pm – 6:30pm
& Sunday 12pm – 5:00pm
Before you stop by, please check the house rules for Heath Family Properties (click here) designed to enhance your wine tasting experience or, if you have questions, call in advance.
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