We’re again to Texas-based C.L. Butaud with a have a look at a pair of newish releases — one white, one purple… however each comprised of purple grapes.
2022 C.L. Butaud Blanc de Noir – A white wine (with simply the barest shade of pink to it) comprised of 100% mourvedre (purple) grapes, 6 barrels comprised of grapes grown in Desert Willow Vineyards in Seminole, Texas. Clear and approachable, the wine affords a right away observe of melon, barely bitter with notes of lemon peel, adopted by a cleaning salinity. A contact of sesame-laced cookie dough offers the later phases a sure creaminess, nearly doughy at instances. Participating, uncommon, and distinctive — although for what it’s price, winemaker Randy Hester says to not hassle with tasting notes, simply get pleasure from it. I did each. A- / $48
2021 C.L. Butaud Stop & Desist Crimson Mix Texas Excessive Plains – 73% tempranillo, 20% mourvedre, 7% grenache. I obtained the slightest contact of a curiously fishy aroma right here that I’ve by no means seen in Butaud wines — although it did mood as I dug deeper into the wine. Significantly lighter in physique than the 2020 bottling, the main focus right here leans extra on strawberry and lightweight raspberry notes than the dense currents and cherry notes of the prior classic, with uncommon secondary components of orange peel and cardamom rising. Silky and chocolaty, there’s a vanilla punch ready for you on the end, although it arrives alongside a lingering doughy high quality that pulls you out of the expertise a bit and clings to the roof of the mouth. B / $48
2021 C.L. Butaud Stop & Desist Crimson Mix Texas Excessive Plains
$48
