The 10th Annual Vineyard Festival introduced me to Adelphos Cellars, another great winery based in the Texas High Plains AVA.
Tempranillo
Their Notes: Our full-bodied Tempranillo exhibits aromas of dark cherry, vanilla, and cream, with savory flavors of cocoa, fig, and spice. It pairs well with Mexican food, tomato-based pasta dishes, and hard cheeses like sharp cheddar and Manchego.
My Notes: The gentleman pouring (Jim?) described it as softer than a Spanish Tempranillo and I would agree. Despite the high alcohol smell to this wine, the flavor is of dark fruit and spice. The more it breathes the more it mellows. The dry finish encourages you to take another sip.
I agree with their paring, but also see this as a good Thursday wine to curl up with a good book in front of the fireplace (when it’s not 100 plus degrees outside).
Primativo
Their Notes: Our medium-bodied red has red cherry and dark chocolate flavors nuanced by aromas of candied plum and vanilla. Our classic Primitivo pairs well with BBQ, pizza, and hard cheeses like Manchego and aged Parmesan.
My Notes: I noted that this one (like the Farmhouse Vineyards Cultivated) is one that I just wanted to sit and smell all night. I didn’t get the flavors they describe but instead had chocolate, cherry and tobacco. It was really a good spice taste on the finish.
My notes say to pair this with chicken mole enchiladas on a Wednesday night to bring out the spice and chocolate in both the wine and the food. Or to serve it with a good steak for dinner with friends.
Final Thoughts
This is another winery I want to get to know better, so I look forward to trying more wines from them. They are out and about all over West Texas and Fredericksburg, so check out their Facebook page to find out where to find them next.
On a side note, the 2018 Primitivo won a Gold medal at the San Antonio Rodeo Wine Competition in 2020, so order soon – although the 2019 promises to be good good too.
