Thirteen wineries from across Texas were awarded prestigious Double Gold medals at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ 2023 Rodeo Uncorked!® International Wine Competition, held November 11-13 at NRG Center in Houston.
A Double Gold medal is awarded to wines that receive a Gold medal rating by all five members of the judging panel. The Rodeo Uncorked! handbook describes a Gold medal winner as a wine “of outstanding quality, superior to most. Reflects the best flavor, balance, style and winemaking for that class and price point.” A Double Gold is the most prestigious award a wine can receive at the Houston competition.
Here are some highlights of the wines that earned this coveted title and the wineries that make them.
Llano Estacado:
Signature White, Texas, 2021
Rosé, Texas High Plains, 2021
With more than 40 years of winemaking experience, Llano Estacado is dedicated to producing the best Texas wines. Their Signature White and Rosé are the perfect choices for an elegant evening and both have vibrant aromas that compliment a variety of dishes.
Busted Oak Cellars Troubadour, Fredricksburg, 2018 is a classic example of the Busted Oak philosophy in action. This refreshing and light Rosé has strawberry, white peach, and rose petal on the nose.
Rosini Vineyards Portejas, Texas, 2020 is part of their Reserve Selection. This bold and modern red blend offers aromas of dark berries, chocolate, and hints of oak. On the palate, it reveals flavors of blackberry and cherry jam along with toasted oak.
Texas Heritage Vineyard Lizzie Rosé, Texas Hill Country, 2021 stands out for its unique and flavorful profile. Crafted from a combination of estate grown Mourvèdre and Grenache grapes, this light pink wine boasts aromas of watermelon, strawberry jam, and roses.
Hye Meadow Winery Tempranillo, Henslee Vineyard, Texas High Plains, 2018 will be sure to please anyone from the novice to the experienced taster. With bright, concentrated flavors of red fruits, a velvety texture, and aromas of pepper, spice, and smoke—this makes for an excellent choice.
RLV Rancho Loma Vineyards Valera Syrah, Texas High Plains, 2019 is a bright and complex wine. The aromas of pepper, spice, and smoke introduce intense notes of blackberry and ripe raspberry on the palate.
Augusta Vin Winery:
Giovanna Rosso, Texas, NV
Tannat, Texas Hill Country, 2020
Augusta Vin Winery’s Giovanna Rosso is a full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. Its unique combination of bold tannins and ripe fruit bring out flavors of dark cherry, leather, tobacco, and chocolate. Their Tannat, with its alluring aromas of blackberry and leather, is a full-bodied red wine which offers intense flavors of ripe plum and blueberry with a hint of spice on the finish.
Bending Branch Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Newsome Vineyards, Texas, 2019 features the classic varietal blended with Merlot and Sangiovese for a complex flavor profile that combines ripe fruit flavors of dark cherry, leather and tobacco on the nose, alongside an intense tannic structure from the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Limestone Terrace Vineyards:
Teroldego, Texas High Plains, 2020
Estate Mourvedre, Texas Hill Country, 2020
Limestone Terrace Vineyards Teroldego is another great choice for red wine lovers. The grapes come from the Texas High Plains and Texas Hill Country and display aromas of ripe cherries and blackberry jam on the nose. The Estate Mourvedre, a rich and full-bodied red, has aromas of wild berry and dried herbs with subtle hints of pepper and oak.
Lost Draw Cellars Red Table, Texas High Plains, NV features zesty aromas of black currant, cherry and dark chocolate framed by velvety tannins.
Ron Yates Vineyards:
Amalgamation Red, Friesen Vineyards, Texas High Plains, 2018
Ron Yates Vineyards Sangiovese, Newsome Vineyards, Texas High Plains, 2019
The expertly crafted Amalgamation blend is composed of a complex mix of flavors including cherry and plum, that combine to create an intensely flavorful wine. The tannins are velvety on the palate with a long finish. The Sangiovese, a bright and vibrant varietal, is the perfect choice for any meal or occasion. Its aromas of black cherry, cinnamon, and cloves will tantalize your taste buds before the first sip.
Becker Vineyards and Messina Hof Winery also earned Double Gold medals. For more about both wineries and their winning wines, please see our previous articles, Top Texas Winery—Messina Hof Winery and Top Texas Wine & Top All Around Winery, Becker Vineyards.
The Rodeo Uncorked!® International Wine Competition, now in its 20th year, is one of the largest and most prestigious wine competitions in the country. For more information on this year’s winners click here or join the Rodeo Uncorked! Facebook group.
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