Llano Estacado Winery Signature White 2015 Wine Review

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

Texas wine has quite frankly based its culture of quality winemaking on blending for the most part. Just like many of the world’s beautiful wine regions, blending is an art that gives wine a truly complex nature. Don’t get me wrong, there is something to be said for a well made, well balanced varietal wine, but some of the best wines I have ever tasted were blended to some extent. Why are we talking about blending you ask? Well, the wine up for review is a blend from one of the pioneers of Texas wine, Llano Estacado Winery.

I have to admit, I am rarely let down when drinking a bottle of Llano wine. Come to think of it, I have never been let down completely. Sure, there have been some bottles I have enjoyed more than others over the years from that winery, but one thing is for certain, the crew at Llano Estacado knows how to make solid wine. I am talking about consistent, clean, well balanced wines. I cannot say the same for every winery out there.

The wine being reviewed is their 2015 Signature White. It is quite the unorthodox blend when you think about it. Four grape varieties that each have unique character all their own. I was really impressed with the manner each grape clearly represented itself, all while maintaining the perfect harmony one should expect from a well made bottle of wine.

Once the cork was ripped from the bottle with anticipation, the wine pours into the glass a medium straw color. The nose is quite aromatic and intense offering nuances of grass, peaches, grapefruit, pear, and melon. The palate mimics the nose with the addition of apples and a hint of lemon zest. The mouthfeel is balanced and full, with a finish that rings on like a bell in a tower. It just keeps ringing on.

Specifications:

• Llano Estacado Winery Signature White, 2015 vintage
• Winemaker: Jason Centanni / Greg Bruni
• Appellation: Texas
• Grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay
• Clarity/brightness: Clear/bright, with no detectable flaws and no evidence of gas or sediment
• Aging: Stainless steel tanks
• Acidity: Medium Plus
• Alcohol: Medium
• Alcohol by volume: 13.9%
• Finish: Long, smooth
• Retail price: $11.00 at the time of review

Are you kiddin’ me? $11.00 per bottle? You better grab a case while it lasts my Texas wine consuming friends! This bottle of wine is an extremely enjoyable liquid treat that is perfect for a hot 2017 Texas summer. I respect the fact that this wine is technically off-dry at 0.92% residual sugar, but it is barely detectable to my palate due to the higher acidity to be honest. This helps tremendously to bring a solid balance to the wine, while offering a little zing on the palate vs. a heavy mouthfeel of sugar. I highly recommend this bottle of wine to anyone seeking out a warm weather, porch friendly wine. Pair it with your favorite mildly spicy Tex-Mex dish, or a nice Thai noodle dish.

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.