Review of Bingham Family Vineyards Dirt Farmer 2014

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

Nobody ever said farming was easy, especially in Texas! Lengthy droughts, flash flooding, late spring frosts, dust storms, tornados… The list seems to go on and on. Yet, those who choose farming as a profession always seem to prevail through the good times and the bad. They have a level of work ethic and commitment that is unparalleled when compared to many other industries. This isn’t a “put on the suit and go sit in the office from 9 to 5,” no this is a profession in which work starts before the sun comes up, and ends well after the sun sets. Without these Texas farmers we wouldn’t have cotton or peanuts, and of course wine grapes, which is the most important component to the Texas wine industry. Who farms these grapes though? Let’s find out.

We are reviewing a new wine from Bingham Family Vineyards called Dirt Farmer. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate name for a wine made by a lovely family who are multi-generation cotton, peanut, and wine growers. The Binghams manage over 200 acres of grapes and most of you have seen their vineyard name on many a wine bottle across the great state of Texas. It’s pretty cool when you can grow grapes for Texas wineries, as well as utilize your fruit for your own wines. Daniel Bingham is the man behind the wine. He has been rocking the red dirt for a few years now since graduating from Texas Tech University. What else would you go to school for when you farm wine grapes for a living? Anyway, let’s get to the wine shall we?

We popped the cork and the wine pours into the glass a medium garnet. The aromas swirl around the bowl and coat the nasal passages with prominent red fruits like black cherries, plumbs, and even a hint of fig. There are also earthy tones to the nose. The palate showcases these same red fruits and earth, but also teases with nuances of chocolate. Yummy! The wine ends with a moderate finish.

Specifications:

• Bingham Family Vineyards Dirt Farmer, 2014 vintage
• Winemaker: Daniel Bingham, Manuel Lechuga
• Appellation: Texas, Texas High Plains AVA, Bingham Family Vineyards
• Grape varieties: Tempranillo, Merlot, Dolcetto, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Clarity/brightness: Clear/bright, with no detectable flaws, and no evidence of gas or sediment
• Tannins: Medium plus
• Acidity: Medium plus
• Alcohol: Medium
• Finish: Moderate
• Alcohol by volume: 14.3%
• Retail price: $24.95 at the time of review

All in all, this wine is a quality example of what Texas can produce. 100% Texas High Plains AVA grown fruit, plus a keen hand in the cellar equate to an approachable wine. It is drinking well now as a youngster, but a few more years in the bottle should greatly improve the complexity, and lengthen the moderate finish. I recommend this wine for anyone seeking a medium bodied, earthy, yet fruit forward Texas wine. Seasoned pork chops or a lean steak such as filet mignon would pair excellently with a bottle of Dirt Farmer.

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.