Sunday, January 15, 2006

Chateau de Texas

Yet another post on wine from Texas.

Can you believe it?

This story takes us back to a recent business trip of mine to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Practically next to the DFW Airport is a charming vineyard and winery, known as Delaney Vineyards. Delaney has been styled after an 18th-century French chateau and features a grand barrel room with vaulted ceilings.


Delaney produces a number of wines from estate grown fruit and fruit purchased from other producers around Texas. One of the more interesting wines is the Texas Champagne Brut (NV), which has won eight international awards. I was not able to taste this during my visit, but the staff insisted it was amazing. Stay tuned for my report since I lugged a bottle home on the flight.

(By the way, Champagne is NOT Champagne unless it is produced in the Champagne region of France. To my knowledge, U.S. producers are supposed to drop the Champagne term from their labels to appease the French. However, this IS Texas---and you DON'T mess with Texas, right?)

My favorite wine in the tasting was the 2002 Sauvignon Blanc, which was chock-full of citrus and toasted oak, followed by crisp acid and a lingering finish. It was worthy of being lugged home on the flight for sure.

Other wines:

2002 Chardonnay--notes of sweet fruit, banana, citrus

2003 Merlot--light body, toasted oak, cherry and dark fruit notes

2003 Cynthiana (Norton)--dark fruit notes, very light body. Lacked the structure and fruit of Norton wines from Missouri and Virginia

2002 Three Daughters (blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon)--blackberry and pepper notes. Slight residual sugar. I bet my Granny would like this one.

Overall, Delaney makes a fun side trip when venturing out in the DFW Metroplex since it is close to historic Grapevine (with more wineries and tasting rooms) and the infamous Grapevine Mills shopping mall.

2000 Champagne Blvd.
Grapevine, Texas
817-481-5668

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