Hidden in College Station is Perrine (rhymes with wine) Winery. (link) This is another set of notes I’m writing up after a bit of time as I visited after a family funeral. Luckily, my notes are a bit easier to read this time around, as are his. Not too many pictures – but a few at the bottom.
Pinot Grigio
Their Notes: Dry, unoaked, notes of apple, pineapple & apricot up front, citrus & slight mineral finish
My Notes: This has a heart drawn on the notes next to the name. Smells more like a Chardonnay but has a grapefruit and sugar flavor. That reminded me of breakfast at my grandmother’s house in College Station. It was the only time I was allowed to sugar my grapefruit. The citrus flavor lingers. Perfect Tuesday wine or as a background wine to not overpower anything.
SSC
Their Notes: Dry, crisp, lightly Oaked Cuveè of Sauvignon Blanc, Sèillon, Chardonnay
My Notes: Sugary sweet scent. Sweet but dry. Flavor lingers like sugar and caramel. A Monday wine.
Hopstro
Their Notes: Smooth Dry Gewurztraminer fermented with Hops to enhance floral and citrus notes.
My Notes: Smells like cider, or a fresh fruity IPA. but tastes like “traditional cider.” Refreshing but a bit dry. Granny smith apple on the finish. Tuesday wine for beer drinkers.
I did do as I was told and smelled it first before tasting it. Doesn’t smell as sweet as expected. The tasting room staff mentioned tobacco flower – but I don’t know about that.
Barbera
Their Notes: Dry, dark berry with vanilla notes, rich tannins, savory finish.
My Notes: Has the scent of dirt and fruit and brown sugar and ham. Very light color and fruity with a dry finish. Another solid Tuesday.
Malbec
Their Notes: Pleasantly dry with balanced acidity, notes of plum, black cherry, vanilla, and hints of caramel
My Notes: Sweet smell like petite Syrah tastes, but not petite Syrah. A bit of olives on the scent and slightly spicy after the crackers. Not an Argentinian style Malbec at all. It’s not strong and very forgettable – a background wine.
Amarone
Their Notes: Bold dry red blend, red and dark fruit, slight oak & spice on the finish
My Notes: Deep garnet color. Slightly smoky and sugary with some alcohol on the nose. No smoke on the taste but very furity. Wonder how it would be chilled on the porch? Maybe with a sharp cheddar. I wanted to keep drinking it. It has a finish like the cakes I make a Christmas that use the fruit cake mix and bourbon. A little bit of a coconut scent.
His Notes: (as they differ from mine): Current, white pepper and chocolate. Smells like toasted coconut and honey, but tastes like plum and chocolate. Very smooth. Brings to mind the Collin Street Bakery fruit cake.
Carmin
Their Notes: Chilean grown Carmenere, aged with French oak. Dark fruit up front, notes of vanilla, and spice with a nutty finish.
My Notes: Silky scent that makes me think of red satin. It’s plumy with some apricot jam. It was the wine where you could most taste the alcohol on the tongue. Fruity, but the alcohol kills it. Very black pepper flavored after the alcohol clears. Unfortunately, forgettable.
Bourbon Barrel Double Rouge
Their Notes: Cab, Sauv. Merlot blend aged in bourbon barrels – dry, smooth, notes of dried fruit, plum, toasted caramel and a slight nutty finish.
My Notes: Green grass scent? Tastes nothing like it smells – which is good. Soft dark fruit (prunes?) and brown sugar. Plumy smooth flavor but doesn’t taste much of the bourbon barrel, so not overwhelming like others we’ve had. Solid Tuesday… (His notes say he’s not keen on this one but he can taste the though process behind it.)
Petite Sirah
Their Notes: Deep color, slightly higher acidity and more tannins than our typical red. Spiced aromas intermingled with a hefty dose of dark fruit and plum.
My Notes: Smokey like summer sausage, beef jerky or liquid smoke. Some rose notes. Smooth cherry, smoked almonds and chocolate almond flavor. Goes down way to easy despite the acidity and tannins and tastes way better than it smells. A solid Wednesday wine.
Orange Ruby Port Special Edition
Their Notes: Port blend infused with natural orange and chocolate.
My Notes: Tastes like the chocolate oranges you get at Christmas.
Final Thoughts
Despite the circumstances for why we were in town – we had a great time at the winery.
There were some regulars in the tasting room and they made us feel really welcome and the conversation flowed across tables.
The tasting room isn’t fancy, or big – but the people made it welcoming and someplace I would definitely go back since we tried only about a third of what they have on offer. They are a bit tricky to find, so do put the address into GPS and then enjoy once you get there.
