Bar Z Winery, 2012 Bayer Family Vineyards Tempranillo, 100% Texas High Plains, Texas (∞)
by Andrew Chalk
The preamble to part one read…
“More people are coming round to the idea that Texas can make good wine as they sample more of it. But the ultimate test of gravitas in, at least red wines, is how they age. How does Texas do in that regard?
To find out, I am doing a series of tastings of Texas wines, all 10+ years old, and assessing how they are doing. I am choosing them based on how their peers in other parts of the world do at the end of their first decade.”
And later added
“Since this vintage is no longer available in the retail market I have helpfully indicated the price as ‘infinity’ in the title, above. ”
BACKGROUND
This is our second wine from Bar Z Winery, a fact that does not reflect any favoritism on my part, especially considering owner Monty Dixon’s heretical views on Formula One racing. Rather, there were just two bottles left in my cellar.
I am glad too as this tempranillo from the excellent Bayer Family Vineyards would have been cradle-snatched had it been drunk any earlier.
TASTING NOTES
Immediately upon uncorking the nose of this wine ungourges a cornucopia of forest floor aromas plus green tea, coconut, bay leaf and barrels dominate the nose. On the palate tannins lean just on the side of soft, indicating more age to come, a feeling reassured by mouth filling plum and fig fruit that was doubtless more powerful a few years back but still pokes the sensory organs today. The only casualty of age appears to be the short finish, but if you were stuck in a barrel for a decade you would have a short finish, wouldn’t you?
Overall, a satisfying wine, likely best appreciated with pork ribs or steak.
Does it age? Hell yeah.
Sample.
