Wine Savvy on April 17, 2013 0 Comments Over Easter weekend, I had the opportunity to explore some of the Texas hill country wineries. My family and I picnicked at the park then headed out for an afternoon of wine tasting and conversation– probably one of the best ways to spend an afternoon. Our first stop was the Bell Springs Winery located in Drippings Springs, Texas. As a member of their wine club, I was eager to see what the lineup would be for the quarter and also to test out any new wines. Wine Cooler Direct also offers a wine club membership; it really is the way to go to get great wines year-round. This is what I received as a wine club member: 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Bell Springs describes it as: “Traditional Cabernet Sauvignon with ripe black cherry, blackberry, blueberry and purple flowers. Hints of vanilla, supported by sweet and sour notes of American oak. Structured tannins with a lingering finish.” This was my favorite of the mix. I could taste the berries and love the oak flavor that complemented it. Would be delicious with a nice steak dinner. 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Bell Springs describes it as: “Chilean style fruit forward Cabernet Sauvignon. Black cherry bomb! Savory notes of balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and black pepper, finishing with mouth-coating tannins. Round and straight-forward with a supple finish.” So, not being a wine connoisseur, I thought to myself “a cabernet sauvigon from a different year, how different can they be?” Boy, was I wrong. This wine was spicy and had a pepper flavor, which was unexpected. 2012 Tempranillo Bell springs description: “Pretty notes of cranberry, strawberry, and tart red cherry with hints of white pepper on the mid-palate. Balanced and elegant with a solid structured finish. A wine with flexible food pairing promise.” The Tempranillo had a very smooth finish and was an easy to drink red wine. I would enjoy a glass of this anytime. As the weather gets warmer my tastes lean towards white wines. The Bell Springs Reston Wild West white wine is a perfect wine for sitting out on your patio and relaxing. It’s not too sweet or syrupy which makes it easy to sip and enjoy on a balmy day. Bell Springs winery never ceases to impress with their laid-back atmosphere and delicious wines. It was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend.
