Deep ruby color; cherry, dark plum, blackberry, cranberry, fig, pomegranate, almond, smoke, mesquite, leather, meat, oak on the nose and palate.
Dry; supple tannins, some balancing acidity. Full, robust body. Rich and meaty in the mouth. You know you have a dense red wine in your mouth with this effort. Very dark fruit forward. Blend of 54% montepulciano, 30% primitivo, 16% syrah. While these grapes were grown in Texas, montepulciano is a grape associated with the Abruzzo region of Italy, noted for its bold flavors and for pairing with hearty dishes. It should be no surprise that grapes associated with warmer regions of Italy—and Spain and Portugal—are proving themselves important in Texas, too. 14.1% ABV.
Located on the outskirts of Austin near the north shore of Lake Travis, Flat Creek Estate strives to be the premier wine destination in the Texas Hill Country. That is a Texas-sized ambition. A passel of other well-financed Hill Country operations strive to do the same thing. Flat Creek certainly is in the conversation.
The Texas Hill Country AVA is the second-most visited AVA in the U.S., trailing only Napa. So Flat Creek plays in the big leagues, although the Hill Country-Napa comparison is a little of an apples-to-pecans proposition. The Texas Hill Country AVA is more than 14,000 square miles and nine million acres, the third largest in the nation, and home to more than 200 wineries. The Napa Valley AVA is just 192 square miles, 122,735 acres, and home to more than 400 wineries.
According to their website, the Flat Creek Estate is “poised on an epic eighty-acre estate custom designed for one-of-a-kind experiences, Flat Creek has everything you need for a memorable visit. Join us at our Tuscan-inspired tasting room, full-service restaurant—The Bistro at Flat Creek Estate, covered outdoor pavilion, full working vineyard and winery, 18-hole disc golf course, walking trails, and so much more.”
First established by Rick and Madelyn Nabor, today Flat Creek is owned by Post Lake Capital Partners, led by Eva Horton. French-born Oliver De Certaines is the winemaker. Condé Nast named Flat Creek one of the four best day trips from Austin, calling it “a super Texas winery known for its Super Texan.” Food & Wine included Flat Creek Estate in their list of the 50 Most Amazing Wine Experiences in America.
Flat Creek Estate Four Horsemen Red Wine Blend 2018 is a blend three Texas-grown grapes, led by montepulciano, the Italian grape that has found a home in Texas. Dark fruit, rich. Built to complement Texas cuisine. The winery and the wine are exemplars of why Texas wines must be reckoned with on the wine world stage. The wines are solid, the venue superb, the principals talented, aggressive, and well financed. Pair with beef dishes—grilled ribeye; barbecue; slow-cooked brisket; lamb; wild game—venison; duck; red pasta dishes; cheddar cheeseburger; chili con carne; grilled portobello mushrooms; pizza; cured sausages; cured meats—charcuterie board. Cheese—bolder cheese; aged cheddar, parmigiano-reggiano, aged asiago, provolone, gorgonzola, manchego. $48
