Opened 1-½ hours without decanting before serving in Spiegelau Bordeaux style glasses. Dusty violet color in the glass. Nose of currant, raspberry, licorice and cedar. Flavors of black cherry and raspberry. Soft tannins over a fairly balanced frame except for the alcohol that left the balance lacking a bit. 87 points. Drink now.

Just curious. Where does this wine come from and what is the price?

jb

Becker Vineyards is located in the Texas Hill Country between Fredericksburg and Johnson City. This is a tourist area full of B&Bs and some fairly nice restaurants. It is roughly 1 hour north of San Antonio, 1 hour SW of Austin. President Johnsons' ranch is close by.

I purchased my bottles directly from the winery for $25.00 a bottle. I have since seen them in local area liquor stores as they have been increasing their distribution. They are in the top 3 quality wine producers within Texas, IMO, if you don't consider that statement an oxymoron.

Their website is located at www.beckervineyards.com.

More than you ever wanted to know, huh?

The Becker Reserve Cab is great. Personally, I thought the '98 was better (I bought a case), but it's still the best winery in the Texas Hill Country, IMHO. I was there last March or April and bought two bottles of the '99, one for myself and the other for VinoMe. I don't think they distribute outside of Texas.

Fredricksburg is great little German settlement town.

mdriver and VM, if you want more the winery is sold out but you can still find it on local liquor store shelves. I just need to know how to get it to you.

Thanks for the offer! That's very kind of you. I might be interested in another bottle or two. I'll ask VM if he wants any, I don't think he's migrated over here yet.

I will be in San Antonio next week. I have a pamphlet in my wifes convention package that has a scheduled winery tour of Becker vineyards if we want. They really talk it up is it worth stopping by?

Yes.

If you've been to Napa, you're not going to be impressed, but the vineyard/winery is pleasant. Plenty of places to have an alfresco lunch over a bottle. IMHO, the only winery in that are that's really worth a stop. Sister Creek, maybe but it's more off the beaten path.

Also, be sure to check out Fredricksburg. A quaint German settlement town just down the road from Becker. Lots of great shops and restaurants serving German food.

I would agree. Becker is about the only decent winery in the area worth stopping to taste their wines. Grape Creek is on the same road heading into Fredericksburg. They occasionally have some sucess with a few of their whites if you feel lucky. Definitely stop by Fredericksburg to shop and eat. If time permits I would send LilacWine an email since she is living in Fredericksburg now.

by a really strange twist of fate I have some bottles of this coming my way next week. If anyone in the Bay Area is interested in it let me know.

tlily -

I'd be interested to read your notes when you open one of these. I've enjoyed the Becker Res. Cabs I've had.