Review of Driftwood Estate Winery Longhorn Red 2012

We purchased the wine at a discount and all opinions are our own.

Driftwood, Estate: A wooden log floating in the water, and a large piece of property.

Driftwood Estate Winery: A Texas vineyard and winery offering a plethora of wines, and a stunning view of the estate vineyard situated in the valley below the winery property.

Under the command of Gary Elliott, the winery has been growing and producing quality wines in Driftwood, Texas for some time now. Texas Wine Lover is always on the lookout for stand out wines to review, so the following should be no surprise, as this wine was voted the top Texas wine, Double Gold, and Class Champion at the 2015 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Winning the coveted saddle is a prize many winemakers in Texas covet, Driftwood Estate Winery earned their saddle this year with their 2012 Longhorn Red, the flagship from their red wine program.

This bottle is gloriously filled with a deep garnet colored wine with a slightly lighter garnet rim. Once poured into the glass, aromas of boysenberry, black cherry, black peppercorns, and mocha burst into the nasal cavities. The palate is very similar, offering notes of blackberries, cherries, and black peppercorns. The wine is medium to full bodied, gifting a solid mouthfeel, led by modest tannins and weight from the higher alcohol percentage. I really dig the mouthfeel of the ole Longhorn.

Specifications:

• Driftwood Estate Winery Longhorn Red, 2012 vintage
• Winemaker: Gary Elliott
• Appellation: Texas Hill Country AVA, Driftwood Texas
• Grape varieties: estate 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah
• Clarity/brightness: Clear/bright, with no detectable flaws and no evidence of gas or sediment
• Tannins: Medium
• Acidity: Medium
• Alcohol: Medium plus
• Finish: Medium plus
• Alcohol by volume: 14.8%
• Retail price: $60.00 (at the time of review)

Aside from winning the saddle in Houston, Texas this year, I find this wine to be of sound character. It is clean, balanced, and very drinkable. Good extraction is present, and the fruit was obviously well ripened at harvest. Well done, Driftwood Estate. I recommend this wine to anyone looking for a medium to full bodied wine with black fruit dominance and a little spice.

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.