Built-to-please, food-friendly expression of Texas tempranillo, the red grape that has a particularly affinity to Texas terroir. Very accommodating, easy drinker with just enough red-fruit character to be interesting. $51-60
Grapes hand-harvested at 24.2º Brix. Destemmed. Fermented in stainless steel using commercial yeast. Aged 12 months in barrel, none new, 50% French, 50% American. The 2023 vintage presented issues and opportunities. Generous spring rains, but June brought heat, no rain, and a brief but harsh hailstorm that forced cluster removals. The opportunity was reduced yield but improved quality with deep color extraction and big fruit flavors.
K Estate began as Kuhlman Cellars/Kuhlman Estate on the Texas wine road, Highway 290. It is now part of the Heath Family Brands portfolio and rebranded as K Estate. Lifelong wine lovers Chris and Jennifer Cobb created Kuhlman Cellars in 2013 and opened to the public the next year. The name comes from Kuhlman Creek, which originates on the Cobb family farm and feeds into the Pedernales River.
Heath Family Brands acquired Kuhlman Cellars in mid-2024. Kuhlman Cellars harvested and produced this wine, however the bottling, labeling, and release was done by Heath Family Brands under the new K Estate brand.
Brian and Jennifer Heath acquired Grape Creek Vineyards in 2006 and have aggressively expanded ever since on Highway 290. Heath Family Brands now produce more than 150,000 gallons of wine each year on 68 acres of estate vineyards. The Heaths in particular have upgraded or built new facilities under its brands, which now include Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, K Estate Vineyards, and Invention Vineyards.
K Estate Estate Tempranillo, Texas Hill Country 2023: Medium ruby color; cherry, strawberry, dried fig, tobacco, cedar, leather, pinch of saline on the nose and palate.
Dry (0.52 g/L RS); silky tannins with some lingering dust; food–friendly acidity (3.65 pH, 7.2 g/L TA); nice pairing with food-congenial 12.5% ABV. If you are into food–wine pairing, you do not want 15% ABV. Medium body. Distinctive tempranillo flavors and the laid-back affability that is a distinguishing characteristic of many Texas tempranillo plays. Made with 100% estate–grown tempranillo that showcases Pedernales River—Texas Hill Country terroir.
Pairing—Grilled beef, ribeye, flat iron, fajitas with char on the meat paired with onions and peppers. Pork, grilled pork chops, carnitas, chorizo tacos; dry-rubbed Texas barbecue ribs; pork loin with paprika and garlic. Lamb, herb-rubbed leg of lamb, chops with rosemary, thyme, or smoked paprika. Texas comfort food, chili con carne, brisket burnt ends, smoked sausage, burger with cheddar or manchego and sautéed mushrooms. Can work with roasted chicken with herbs, grilled turkey sausage, mushroom risotto with parmesan. Cheese—Firm nutty cheeses, manchedo (young to one-year), idiazabal, aged cheddar (especially clothbound and sharp styles), gouda, asiago, pecorino. Avoid very spicy dishes, sweet glazes and sauces, very delicate dishes (poached fish, simple salads). Super–funky, intense blue cheeses likely will upstage this wine. Far happier with firm, nutty, moderately assertive styles.
