Cabernet Sauvignon is perhaps one of the most recognized varietals on the market. It’s a grape that thrives in classic French Bordeaux, bold California vintages up and down the western coast, and gives an extra kick to those big Super Tuscans that have become so popular. But few people believed it could be a good grape for Texas. That is until wineries such as Llano Estacado Wineries, Fall Creek Vineyards, and Becker Vineyards started producing some pretty amazing Cabs from vineyards in the High Plains and even in the Hill Country; Cabs that would certainly be described as Texas Cabs in that they have many of the same qualities you’d expect from California, France, or Italy, but with a distinct Texas twist.

This month’s Texas Wine of the month is one of those Texas Cabs: Becker Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Newsom Vineyard,” 2007. A well balanced wine with rich fruit, nice acidity and balanced tannins, this Cabernet Sauvignon was selected with the help of Jose Perez who has been the sommelier at Houston’s famed RDG + Bar Annie for 20 years.

“I love what Dr. Becker has done with his wines, but this one alone is one of my favorites,” says Perez. “It’s well made and is an affordable wine for what it is.” (The wine is $62 on the RDG menu, and $40 retail at the winery.) “It has dark fruit, coffee, and cocoa flavors as well as a nice smoky-meaty quality almost like bacon. I love to suggest this to people who aren’t familiar with Texas wines and it always makes a great impression.”

Perez often pairs this with RDG’s coffee-rubbed filet of beef with roasted ancho chile sauce and says it also works well with roasted guinea fowl and grilled squab.

At around $40, it’s not cheap. But nothing good in life really is, and this is a fantastic wine. The only problem, according to Becker Vineyards General Manager Bret Perrenoud, the wine is virtually sold out and only on a few restaurant wine lists including RDG + Bar Annie. (So your best bet is to save up for a special night out and order a bottle at RDG.

Or, Perrenoud suggests a similar selection, the Cabernet Sauvignon “Canada Vineyard,” 2008. This selection is also $40 but is available at the winery, and is just as good, if not equal to the “Newsom Vineyard” Cab. (Both vineyards are from the High Plains and produce amazing fruit.) As of last Sunday, the Cabernet Sauvignon “Canada Vineyard,” 2008 just won a silver medal at the San Antonio Wine Competition.

Salut!

Winery: Becker Vineyards

Retail Price: $40

Availability: Although the Cabernet Sauvignon “Newsom Vineyard,” 2007 is sold out in retail, the Cabernet Sauvignon “Canada Vineyard,” 2008 is available at the winery for $40.

Tagged: Becker Vineyards, Bret Perrenoud, Canada Vineyards, Jose Perez, Newsom Vineyards, RDG + Bar Annie