Join Erik & Sara Wagner, co-founders of Sommly and L2 sommeliers, as they taste some delicious Becker Vineyards' Texas wine
For many wine enthusiasts, the journey to discovering and enjoying rare and exceptional wines is an endless exploration. One such odyssey was embarked upon by the co-founders of Sommly, Sara and Erik Wagner, as they immersed themselves in a tasting of four exquisite wines from Becker Vineyards, a gem nestled in the scenic Texas Hill Country.
Becker Vineyards, established in the early 1990s, is the fruit of pioneers’ passion and tenacity, who celebrated their first harvest in 1995. Fast forward to today, they now cultivate 56 stunning acres of the vine-clad estate, while also sourcing grapes from around Texas. This strategy allows them to produce over a hundred thousand cases of fine Texas wine each year.
The wine tasting journey began with the bright 2021 Viognier Reserve. Often called “the red wine drinker’s white wine” for its full-bodied and highly complex character, this Viognier is a product of four different Texas vineyards. Erik described the wine as having a lovely citrus and white flower aroma, especially honeysuckle, and a palate reminiscent of a delicious lemon tart. It is acidic but softened with some vanilla notes and stone fruit flavors of underripe Texas peach and apricot.
Next, Sara introduced the elegant 2019 Chardonnay Reserve, a particularly special wine that represents a 20-plus year relationship between Becker Vineyards and Talent Vineyards. Garnering recognition and accolades, including a spot on ‘VinePair’s’ 30 best Chardonnays of 2023, it’s a masterfully crafted Chardonnay. It exhibits a deep yellow, almost gold color, and offers a complex aroma of lemon, ripe pear, pineapple, and clove. The palate draws a picture of a lemon meringue pie, with a zesty acidity balanced by light vanilla and toasted pie crust flavors.
The wine tasting journey continued with Becker’s 2021 Provencal Rose. This blend of Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, and Tempranillo, in that order, painted a palette of vibrant florals, bright red fruit, and a bit of citrus on the nose. The palate was like a fresh, fruity strawberry ice pop – totally dry, perfectly balanced, and graced with notes of grapefruit, raspberry, and cherry. This wine, with its inherent complexity and balanced acidity, pairs well with a wide range of dishes.
Lastly, Erik introduced Becker’s robust 2020 Tempranillo Reserve, a varietal often associated with the Rioja region of Spain. He noted the spicy aroma of black pepper, tobacco, and leather, and a palate full of juicy red fruit flavors. The wine displayed a medium body, medium tannins, and medium-high acidity, with notes of Bing cherries, red currants, and raspberries. While it is delicious now, Erik believes that it could improve with a few years of aging.
From the aromatic Viognier to the bright Provencal Rose, the full-bodied Chardonnay, and the robust Tempranillo, Sara and Erik invite you to join them on their aromatic journey through the world of Becker Vineyards. So, why not grab a glass and venture into the world of Texas wine? Cheers!
