A little known fact about Denison, Texas is that it is the birthplace of the 34th President of the United States – Dwight D. Eisenhower. While Sherman is the county seat of Grayson County, Denison is more known for its work to promote the wineries of the Texoma AVA (American Viticulture Area). Grayson College offers Viticulture, Enology, and Distillation Programs.
But enough on the area nearby Hidden Hangar Vineyard and Winery. Let’s talk about the winery. From the late 1920s until the 1950’s the municipal airport, located two miles east of Denison, was known as Gray Field, and the barnstormers used the fields that are now neatly covered in grapevines to take-off and land. This history is what gives some of their wines their names. To learn more about their “plain” (not blends) wines see Flight 1.
Riveter Rosie
Their Notes: semi-sweet red wine made from estate Syrah and Cabernet Franc grapes. It is a full-bodied red wine with fresh back raspberry and back cherry character that pairs with any Bar-B-Que. Rosie can be enjoyed on its own or as a Sangria.
My Thoughts: This is a winner of two Texas wine awards, and I can definitely see using it as a Sangria. I think I’d disagree that it will pair with any BBQ. The sticky sweet, over sauced kind will kill this wine. This needs true BBQ, not the suburban brisket drowned in salad dressing barbecue sauce.
On it’s own it’s a Wednesday wine. I’ll let you know how it is with BBQ, as a bottle came home to try with some ribs next weekend. It would make a good Friday night with friends Sangria. I’d advise to stay away from citrus and look more at apple, pear, berries and maybe a peach or a pineapple for the fruit. (Award Winner of 2 Texas Awards)
Barnstormer
Their Notes: a medium-bodied red blend of estate grown Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Its character has abundant flavors of black raspberry, cassis and oak.
My Thoughts: Despite disliking the Cabernet Franc from the other flight, this wine was unexpected in two ways. Firstly the nose (aroma) to me is that of petroleum… for Texans – think Texas City when the wind blows. For those of you unacquainted with that scent think of you first-cousin (once removed) Larry’s garage… oil stains everywhere, and despite not being visible you can still smell the oil seeping out of the concrete and dirt.
I know I should give this 2021 San Antonio Silver Medal Winner a better review, but that’s the second unexpected thing. It won an award. Now, I know I sound like a petty 4th place beauty pageant contestant, but I wasn’t really sure how. So I had a nibble and it was better. This is not a sipping wine – this is definitely a wine that needs food. King Ranch Casserole would work well, as it paired well with the creamy artichoke dip on the charcuterie board. Maybe even grandma’s funky broccoli cheese macaroni casserole she made at the end of the month when funds were thin. You know the one – if it it was a good month it might have ham (or spam) in it, but if it wasn’t it was just mostly broccoli and macaroni.
Tri-Plane
Their Notes: a medium-to-full-bodied red blend of estate grown Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Franc with aromas and flavors of plum, blackberry, black pepper and sage. Tri-plane was aged in 50% new oak barrels for twelve months.
My Thoughts: Amazing what the different concentrations of the blend does for taste. Or maybe it was the aging in oak barrels, but this was a smooth wine with a nice finish. It’s a Wednesday or even a good party wine. It’s a hearty blend that should please multiple palates. It’s one 1 award in Texas and 1 in San Francisco. I liked this better than the Barnstormer. Try this with meatloaf (but not the sticky sweet ketchup covered variety).
Bi-Plane
Their Notes: a full-bodied red blend from estate grown Syrah and Malbec. Heaps of black fruits like black raspberry, cassis, black plums, black cherries, vanilla, and mint notes.
My Thoughts: I literally wrote “communion wine…but drinkable” in my notes. This wine has also one won 1 award in Texas and 1 in San Francisco. But what do my notes really mean. Basically that this is a good basic wine with a hit of sweet that reminded me of Sunday church services where the communion wine wasn’t turning to vinegar from being left in the heat. I know it’s an unflattering description but when wine can evoke memories, it is a good thing. So, while not my favorite of this flight, it is a good solid Tues-Thurs wine.
Fly Girls
Their Notes: aged for twelve months in new oak barrels, Fly Girls is a full-bodied red wine and luscious with black raspberry, black plum, black pepper and cassis. Fly Girls is our salute to the W.A.S.P. (Women Airforce Service Pilots) and those young women who were determined to learn to fly and come to their aid of our country during it’s time of need. This is a very limited-production wine.
My Thoughts: This is the wine that my husband chose to get a full glass. It is a Saturday wine. It’s a special occasion, date night, Holiday (I like my family) wine. But it goes equally well with a charcuterie board and friends on a Friday night. It went with the olives, the cheese, the spread, the salami. It wasn’t overpowered by the food, in fact the food enhanced it.
No notes on what’s in this blend, as our hostess was still learning the wines and needed to ask the wine maker.
I should have bought a case of this wine. I guess I’ll have to go back.
Final Thoughts
This is a very approachable vineyard. It was more like going and hanging out a friend’s place on a Saturday afternoon, enjoying the weather, some wine and a nosh. Had we known tours were available (which include a tasting flight) we probably would have done that instead of just sitting down to a tasting. But now knowing that, and liking some of the wines, we’ll go back. They do farm-to-table dinners and other special events, so we’ll probably go back for one or two of those. Not just because we like to support our local small wineries, and famers, but because it’s always nice to see friends again.
[…] Normally I’d write up the dinner in the order in which it was served, but there was a very surprising pairing to me during this Hidden Hangar Wine Maker dinner. If you’re not familiar with Hidden Hangar, check them out in Denison, TX (website). You can also read my reviews of the flights we tried several months ago here – Flight 1 and Flight 2. […]