We happened to have some free time this past week while in the Dallas area and decided to pop into Landon Winery in McKinney, Texas. I had read about them and had seen many comments on how great the wines were, but I needed to find out for myself. Since it was also Drink Local Wine Week, it made sense to enjoy some local wine.
As we walked up to the winery, which is situated in the historic downtown square in McKinney, the front patio and entrance was very warm and welcoming. The ambience is homey, relaxing, and classy, both inside the tasting room area and out on the front patio, with ample seating throughout. We tasted several wines from the current portfolio and they were all well-structured. The one that stood out the most for me, which I decided to review, is the Reserve Meritage, 2006 vintage.
This wine is a gorgeous ruby red with a magenta rim in the tilted glass. The wine has a medium concentration. On the nose I detect notes of tart raspberries, blackberries, plums, figs, and a nice subtle hint of that lovely raisiny oxidation from being in barrels for a good while. The palate confirms the nose with some vanilla and nuances of various baking spices.
Specifications:
- Landon Winery Reserve Meritage, 2006 vintage
- Winemaker: Bob Landon
- Appellation: Texas High Plains AVA
- Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- Clarity/Brightness: Clear/bright with no detectable flaws and no gas or sediment
- Tannins: Medium plus
- Acidity: Medium
- Alcohol: Medium
- Finish: Long
- 13.9% alcohol by volume
If you have not yet tried wines from Landon Winery, you are most definitely missing out. The winery is world class and the quality of all the wines I tasted during our visit are a clear indication that they take their winemaking very seriously.
The 2006 Reserve Meritage is an extreme value! The price at the winery varies depending on whether you have the staff open the bottle for on premise consumption versus taking the bottle home. The price for a take home bottle is $24.88 and on premise consumption bottle pricing is $29.88. This bottle of wine is worth either of those prices in my opinion and much more to be honest.
If you are ever in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and would like to try some great wine, stop by one of the two Landon Winery locations for a sip of stellar vino. As always, just tell them the folks at Texas Wine Lover sent you!
Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.
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DrinkLocalWine 2012 Early Plans
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Why Buying Local is Worth Every Cent
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Hey, share some of that with your Dallas pals, Mr. J. 🙂
Thanks Jeremy for the wonderful report and the description was worth wanting to leave my laptop and go see this awesome Winery.
Cathy, thank you for the kind words. Landon wines are well worth leaving the laptop for. Quality winemaking and a great atmosphere.
We partook in the Dallas Town and Country Wine Trail (visiting 5 of the 7 wineries) on the 18th and our last stop was Landon Winery. Many great wines were had along the way, but the one that stood out was the Landon’s Meritage. I don’t recall the vintage, but I was blown away by its complexity. And then I see this post. It’s #txwine synergy at its finest!
Francisco,
I think we both agee that the Meritage is stellar! I, like you, enjoyed all the wines but this one really stood out from the pack. What a great bottle of wine.