Review of Lost Draw Cellars Reserve Sangiovese 2012

We received the product for review and all opinions are our own.

Lost Draw Cellars is a new player in the Texas Hill Country, but don’t let the recent Grand Opening fool you. Andy Timmons has been growing high quality grapes for decades in the High Plains and the winery is an extension of his passion for Texas Wine. The well-known Kim McPherson and Spenser Igo of McPherson Cellars played an integral role in the initial launch of Lost Draw Cellars wine making.

I recently attended the Grand Opening of Lost Draw Cellars in January, and the experience and hospitality are second to none. The people behind the winery and tasting room are fabulous and the wines are well made. Although their Tempranillo is the wine that won the top spot at the Battle of the Texas Tempranillos last year, the Reserve Sangiovese was my favorite wine from their portfolio. The fruit in this wine was sourced from the late Doc McPherson’s Sagmor Vineyard, which is historical in many ways, and comes from the ~40 year old Sangiovese vines. Old vine grapes are still sort of rare in Texas, but they do exist. Naturally, this is the wine I chose to review.

First off, the wine label is definitely attractive, and very different from the standard neutral white. It is clearly Texas and “tough” looking, while maintaining a solid level of class and integrity. Once the cork was plucked from its nest, I poured the aromatic wine into my glass. The color is typical of Sangiovese, even young this wine is garnet with a brick hue at the rim. The nose is extremely complex showcasing layers of fruit and earthy tones. I detect ripe cherries, raspberry, tobacco, Spanish cedar and even a hint of sandalwood, which is a little different and very pleasurable. The palate pretty much confirms the nose overall, with the addition of orange peels and baking spices from the oak barrels. Now, good honest reviews always have a yin and yang, so here is my yang. Although the wine is complex and very tasty, I find it fairly thin on the palate. It resembles Tuscany in many ways on the nose, but traditionally Tuscan Chianti offers a rich and opulent mouthfeel, something this wine simply does not.

Specifications:

• Lost Draw Cellars Reserve Sangiovese, 2012 vintage
• Winemaker: Spenser Igo
• Appellation: Texas High Plains AVA, Sagmor Vineyard
• Grape varieties: Sangiovese
• Barrels: 14 months in oak barrels
• Clarity/Brightness: Clear/bright with no detectable flaws and no evidence of gas or sediment
• Tannins: Medium Plus
• Acidity: Medium Plus
• Alcohol: Medium
• Finish: Medium
• Alcohol by volume: 13.8%
• pH: 3.68
• Retail price: $40.00

This wine is an easy drinker that is very enjoyable on its own, but it is also suited for food pairing. I personally envision chicken parmesan with garlic cheese bread as a nice mate for this bottle. Oh, if you want a taste of the last production of most of those old Sangiovese vines from the Sagmor Vineyard, you better grab a bottle of this wine, as I was told those vines are being excavated and replaced.

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.