Texas Wine Lover®

The premier website for Texas wine news and information

The premier website for Texas wine news and information

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Blog Post Categories
  • Wineries
        • Texas Wineries Map
        • Texas Wineries List
        • Pet Friendly Texas Wineries
        • Texas Wineries with Lodging
        • Texas Wine Trails
        • 100% Texas Wine Wineries
        • Winemaker Profiles
        • Winery Posts
        • What is the difference between a winery and a vineyard?

          A winery makes wine and a vineyard grows grapes! Sometimes a winery can have a vineyard where they get their grapes from, but often a vineyard in Texas only grows grapes and then sells them to wineries.

  • Vineyards
        • Texas Vineyards Map
        • Texas Vineyards List
        • What is the difference between a winery and a vineyard?

          A winery makes wine and a vineyard grows grapes! Sometimes a winery can have a vineyard where they get their grapes from, but often a vineyard in Texas only grows grapes and then sells them to wineries.

  • Fun Stuff
    • Texas Wine Festivals
    • National and International Wine Days
    • Texas Winery Tours
    • Wine Bars / Stores / Restaurants
    • Audio
    • Stuff We Like
  • TWL Shop
  • About
    • Meet Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Want to Advertise?
    • Donate to Support Us

Barking Rocks Tannat 2008 – Reddy Vineyards

May 28, 2014 by Jeremy Wilson Leave a Comment

My first taste of Barking Rocks winery this evening was about as Texan as you can get. The television alarm was blearing Severe Thunderstorm Warning, and the rain and winds were blowing in along with the breathtaking crackles of cloud to ground lightening. Then came the marble sized springtime hailstones, oh so pretty, but oh so damaging to our gorgeous grape vines in the Lone Star State.

Barking Rocks Tannat 2008For those of us familiar with the Tannat varietal, our minds immediately race to the foothills of the Pyrenees (Mountains in southwest France) and our gums naturally retract to the back of our head in preparation of the tannic bombardment to ensue. Well, fast forward to modern times and travel across the pond to the state of Texas. Here, a few dedicated winemakers have embarked on a mission to tame the noble armor skinned grape and construct palate friendly, inviting Texas Tannat wine. This evening I had the pleasure of savoring such a jewel.

As I pulled the cork, I immediately detected the aroma of a cedar chest. After some vigorous swirling, I placed my sniffer into the glass and my suspicion was confirmed with the earthy undertones of cedar and oak with the overtones of dark fruits. My first few sips were tight and the acidity was almost nil, but I knew she needed some time in the glass before I could really see what Lawrence (Tiberia) had constructed for us with this Tannat.

After letting it breathe, I went back to the glass and swirled away. The wine had opened up and the grained woody tones were even warmer with blackberries and soft spices dancing on my palate. There is a grilled meat aspect on the back end of this wine that reminds me of the old world. I suspect that the 18 months in Missourian White Oak brings the toasted meat aspect into this wine. The acidity came to life as well which I fully anticipated being Reddy fruit from the Texas High Plains.

My conclusive personal thoughts of is wine are… The nose offers warm wood with black fruit dominating the senses. The palate is blackberries with soft spices and grilled meat on the back end. If you can picture a freshly sanded piece of cowhide leather with an über smooth texture, that is what the mouth feel is for me. Supple and silky. I detect medium acidity and medium/delayed round tannins on the front of the palate. This wine is what a modern Texas Tannat should be, friendly, juicy, silky and smooth enough to be enjoyed on its own, but big enough to enjoy with grilled pork chops and spicy BBQ.

Great job Lawrence Tiberia (Barking Rocks Winery) for producing such a gorgeous Tannat and to the Reddy family for growing such wonderful fruit.

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.

Related Posts

  • John Rivenburgh Opens a New Wine Incubator at Kerrville Hills WineryJohn Rivenburgh Opens a New Wine Incubator at Kerrville Hills Winery
  • William Chris Vineyards Continues to Capitalize on Virtual EngagementsWilliam Chris Vineyards Continues to Capitalize on Virtual Engagements
  • Hye Meadow review – Dueling GlassesHye Meadow review – Dueling Glasses
  • Review of Westcave Cellars Tannat 2013Review of Westcave Cellars Tannat 2013
  • Review of Duchman Family Winery Aglianico 2011Review of Duchman Family Winery Aglianico 2011
  • Review of Kuhlman Cellars Texas Red 2012Review of Kuhlman Cellars Texas Red 2012
  • Review of Spicewood Vineyards The Good Guy 2012Review of Spicewood Vineyards The Good Guy 2012
  • Review of Becker Vineyards Reserve Merlot 2012Review of Becker Vineyards Reserve Merlot 2012

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Barking Rocks Winery & Vineyard, Hill Country, Jeremy Wilson, Tannat, Texas Wine, Texas Wineries, Tiberia, wine review

.
< Previous
Next >

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Facebook
  • Facebook group
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Contact txwinelover.com
Please Support Our Advertisers
If you find the site helpful and want to help with the expenses: Donate Now


USA Blog Awards Winner 2016
Awarded Top 100 Wine Blog Awarded Top 50 Texas Blog
Top 90 Wine Blogs 2018 Top 20 Liquor & Spirits Blogs Top 20 Liquor & Spirits Blogs
  • Stuff We Like
  • Advertise
  • Disclosure
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Partners
  • Archives
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Texas Wine Lover, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

 

Loading Comments...