Fall Creek Vineyards
2005 Viognier(Texas)
Ed and Susan Auler founded Fall Creek Vineyards in 1975 after an inspirational trip to France. They found the sandy loam soil and the breezes of Lake Buchanan that cooled their Texas ranch to be ideal for growing grapes. After early experiments with French-American hybrid grapes, vinifera including a highly successful Cabernet Sauvignon took their place. The super-premium Meritus, considered by some to be the best red of Texas, is a testament to the potential of this varietal here, as noted initially by Andre Tchelistcheff. Tom Barkley is General Manager and Assistant Winemaker, working closely with Ed on the Fall Creek, Meritus, Twin Springs, Perfect 10, and Sugar Bear brands.
Bright, straw yellow, and fairly viscous, the wine has soft, subtle aromas of peach, lemon drop, toasted almond, marzipan, and hay stack. It reminds me somewhat of Arneis or Cortese di Gavi from Piedmont in Northwest Italy. Clean, fresh, and vibrantly fruity on the palate, it has notes of violet, lemon crème, apple tart, and banana-marshmallow, like those orange Circus Peanut candies so popular in the seventies. Though not extremely varietally expressive, it is pleasant, light, and dry, perfect for an informal gathering.
Reviewed February 15, 2007 by Catherine Fallis.
Other reviewed wines from Fall Creek Vineyards
The Wine
Winery: Fall Creek Vineyards |
The ReviewerFounder and President of Planet Grape LLC, a company committed to bringing the joy of wine, food, and good living into the lives of everyday people, Catherine is creator of the “grape goddess guides to good living,” a series of books, television presentations, seminars, and e-learning programs. The fifth woman in the world to become a Master Sommelier, grape goddess Catherine Fallis is still very much down-to-earth. |