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Wine Details
Price:
Description:
This Texas Port was made using the traditional Portuguese method. We used super ripe Cabernet Sauvignon (at 28% sugar) from the Texas High Lubbock) then as it was fermenting we added brandy to kill the yeast while the wine was still sweet. We did extensive trials with oak and learned that Hungarian Oak worked better than French or American Oak for this wine. I carry about 50 really great dry and sweet wines but this port was my best seller last month and it is fairly expensive at about $20/bottle. As a 2002 wine it is a little young but it should age well. Trois Amis means 3 Friends and refers to the three grapes that go into this blend. We believe that Rhone and Spanish grapes will eventually make the best wines in this area. This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (which we had a lot of) and Shiraz and Mourvedre which we think make it very special. I refer to it as a Rhone flavored Cab. We made it using French oak and it is more ready to drink that our other red wines but still very young. We only made a barrel of this wine and it is nearly sold out but you can rest assured we will make more next harvest.
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Varietal Definition
Cabernet Sauvignon:
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted and significant among the five dominant varieties in France’s Bordeaux region, as well as the most successful red wine produced in California. Though it was thought to be an ancient variety, recent genetic studies at U.C. Davis have determined that Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the hybrid offspring of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon berries are small with black, thick and very tough skin. This toughness makes the grapes fairly resistant to disease and spoilage and able to withstand some autumn rains with little or no damage. It is a mid to late season ripener. These growth characteristics, along with its flavor appeal have made Cabernet Sauvignon one of the most popular red wine varieties worldwide.
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Mourvedre:
As long as the weather is warm, Mourvedre ably tolerates a wide variety of soils. It is popular across the south of France, especially in Provence, where it is responsible for the greatness of Bandol, and many a fine red Cotes-du-Rhone. It is often blended in Chateauneuf-du-Pape; Languedoc makes it as a varietal. Spain uses it in many areas, including Valencia. In the United States, Mourvedre remains a minor factor for now, pursued by a few wineries that specialize in Rhone-style wines. The wine it produces can be quite pleasing, with medium weight, spicy cherry and berry flavors and moderate tannins. It ages well.
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Shiraz:
Alternate name for the french Syrah clone grape grown in Australia and responsible for very big red wines that are not quite as intense in flavor as the french Rhone versions.
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