2001 Llano Estacado Passionelle

[hotwine]

This is a Rhone-style blend of Syrah, Carignane and Viognier from the Llano Estacado winery in Lubbock, TX, using grapes grown within a 60-mile radius of the winery. A delightful cocktail of mixed berries with a subtle sense of terroir, very food-friendly, enjoyed with a hot vegetable and ham soup on a cold winter evening. More "Rhoney" than any other domestic wine I've tasted, medium-bodied, bright ruby in the glass, only 12.1% ABV. Among several wines received from daughter at Christmas, so price unknown; suspect modest, maybe $10-$12, since Texas wines aren't exactly in the premium category. The winery's Website doesn't even list it, so it's not produced consistently and may be sold out. Will look for it locally. Gold Medal winner in the 2003 Texas Wine Society's competition.