by Andrew Chalk
Bar Z Winery is one of the most remote wineries in Texas, located just south of Amarillo in Canyon. It is closer to Albuquerque than Dallas. This is the Texas High Plains, a massive grape growing area where the altitude is over 3,000 feet, the temperature varies wildly from night to day, and humidity is low.
This is where Monty Dixon, Bar Z owner and Formula One fanatic, makes expressive wines from grapes grown in some of the best vineyards in the Texas High Plains AVA.
This wine is a case in point. Newsom Vineyard is probably the best known vineyard in Texas and Tempranillo is the grape that put it, and the High Plains, on the map.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Opaque garnet with brown edge;
Nose: Plummy, raisins, sultanas;
Palate: Medium plus acid, molasses, chocolate, woody tannins, coiled up fruit bursts out in the mouth;
Soft enough to drink now with, e.g. lamb. Or may be kept for about 5 years.
Sample.