Alta Marfa owners Ricky Tailor and Katie Jablonski source grapes from several different vineyards in Texas and New Mexico. The Tempranillo grapes for this wine were grown in the Texas Davis Mountains AVA. According to the Texas State Historical Association, the Davis Mountains were created thirty-five million years ago during a period of violent volcanic activity in western North America. Its highest elevation is 8,378 feet. With volcanic soil, annual average rainfall of 18 inches, annual high temperature of 75ºF and average low temperature 45ºF, according to US Climate Data 2023, it is a great place for wine grape vines. The grapes were fermented in a polyethylene egg and aged 10 months in neutral American oak. The result is an exciting wine with a deep, dark black ruby color, enticing aromas and flavors of concentrated black berry and black cherry fruit. It is medium bodied with bright acidity and ripe integrated tannins, calling out for a juicy tenderloin steak or a mushroom ragout.
Alta Marfa, Texas Davis Mountains (Texas) Tempranillo 2021
By Rebecca Murphy