| In the past New Mexico has been known for | | | | $21.00</B> |
| picturesque vistas, green chiles, and desert. Very | | | | D.H. Lescombes is a phenomenal New Mexico |
| few people know that there is actually a thriving | | | | winemaker! This Merlot offers a bouquet of |
| wine industry in the Southwest's Land of | | | | blackberry and licorice. Dry, fruit forward, flavors |
| Enchantment known as New Mexico. For those | | | | of cassis, plum and umami are prominent. The |
| few oenophiles in the know, the New Mexico | | | | palate of this particular red is still young and offers |
| winery that most have lauded previously has | | | | moderate tannins and a slightly higher alcohol level. |
| been Gruet which is known for their sparkling | | | | Expect a long finish. Drink now or hold for more |
| wines. In the past, the majority of other wineries | | | | bottle aging. - Tom DiNardo, the Wine Zealot |
| just couldn't or wouldn't focus on producing finer | | | | <B>RATED 4 STARS - D. H. Lescombes |
| wines, other than novelty wines like chipotle | | | | 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release (New |
| merlot or habanero mead. | | | | Mexico) $38.00</B> |
| Today New Mexico's wine landscape is changing | | | | Cassis, mint and toasted oak make up the nose |
| with dramatic speed, and the national wine drinking | | | | of this enticing Cab. The palate is dry, mature, and |
| public is becoming acutely aware of this fact. | | | | balanced with elegant tannins in its delivery of a |
| Sophistication and quality are now the primary | | | | long finish. Dry, fruit forward, flavors of black |
| focus of these entrepreneurial Southwest | | | | cherry, cocoa and licorice are ever present. Drink |
| winemakers who are presently creating both | | | | now - Tom DiNardo, the Wine Zealot |
| superior red and white wines that appeal to all | | | | <B>RATED 3½ STARS - D. H. Lescombes |
| palates. | | | | 2008 Petit Verdot Limited Release (New Mexico) |
| In July of this year I had the pleasure of meeting | | | | $38.00</B> |
| both Florent and Rebecca Lescombes of D.H. | | | | The nose of this beautiful red is comprised of |
| Lescombes Winery at the Fourth Annual Toast of | | | | blackberry, licorice and herbal notes. The palate is |
| Taos Wine Festival. Their wines were simply | | | | dry, with soft tannins and it delivers an incredibly |
| amazing! I was surprised and also admittedly | | | | long finish. Fruit forward flavors of black cherry, |
| embarrassed that I had not been previously | | | | umami and herbs are to be anticipated and |
| aware of their superior wines. I just had no idea | | | | enjoyed. Enjoy now or hold. - Tom DiNardo, the |
| that superior wines such as these were being | | | | Wine Zealot |
| produced in New Mexico. My ignorance had been | | | | <B>RATED 4 STARS - D. H. Lescombes |
| demolished by a New Mexico freight train carrying | | | | 2008 Petite Sirah Limited Release (New Mexico) |
| a heavy cargo of reality - terrific wines. | | | | $38.00</B> |
| The Lescombes with Florent's fellow family | | | | The nose of this red offers up a bouquet of |
| members, Herve and brother Emannuel, are the | | | | cherry and tobacco notes. The palate is dry, |
| collective owners and wine makers of Southwest | | | | slightly hot with elegant tannins in delivering a |
| Wines ( The winery was founded by Florent's | | | | savory finish. Flavors of black cherry, anisette and |
| father in Deming, New Mexico in the late 1960's | | | | umami make up this Petite Sirah's flavor profile. |
| and sits at just over 4,500 feet in elevation, | | | | Drink now or hold for additional bottle aging. - |
| situated on loamy soils that allow for terrific | | | | Tom DiNardo, the Wine Zealot |
| drainage. The vineyards can experience hot, | | | | <B>RATED 4½ STARS - D. H. Lescombes |
| sunny days and very cool evenings with | | | | Imperial Kir NV (New Mexico) $13.00</B> |
| temperature swings of as much as forty degrees. | | | | This sparkling wine is absolutely delicious and fun! |
| The winery currently has over 180 planted acres | | | | The sparkle comes from the tank or Charmat |
| with plans to expand to 220 acres before the end | | | | method (injected CO2) and is not made in the |
| of this year. There are 1,000 vines per acre of | | | | traditional methode champenoise. The wine is |
| grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, | | | | made with Chenin Blanc French Colombard and a |
| Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Syrah, | | | | touch of raspberry. The nose is complex and |
| Muscat, Malvasia Bianca, along with a sprinkling of | | | | offers aromas of berry fruits. The mousse is |
| others that collectively produce over 200,000 | | | | comfortably enticing, but obviously not as soft as |
| cases a year for the winery. | | | | a fine French Champagne. The palate is semi |
| Southwest Wines and the Lescombes produce | | | | sweet and well balanced in delivering and very |
| four distinct labels. D.H. Lescombes is their flagship | | | | long finish. Delicious flavors of tropical fruits and |
| wine, and equally important are the St Clair | | | | berries accentuate the typical flavor of a fine |
| Winery, Blue Teal Vineyards, and San Felipe | | | | sparkling wine. I loved this wine. - Tom DiNardo, |
| Winery labels. Southwest Wines also produces | | | | the Wine Zealot |
| four secondary labels such as Plum Loco, Summer | | | | <B>RATED 4½ STARS - D. H. Lescombes |
| Peach, Wine-a-Rita, and Chocolate d' Vine which | | | | Royal Kir NV (New Mexico) $13.00</B> |
| cater to more of the novelty and/or sweet | | | | This wine follows the French tradition of the Royal |
| palate drinkers. St. Clair Winery also features two | | | | Kir (Champagne and a touch of crème de |
| bistros ( in both Las Cruces and Albuquerque, | | | | cassis). This sparkling wine is produced by tank or |
| New Mexico for those wishing to pair the | | | | Charmat method (injected CO2) and is not made |
| Lescombes' outstanding wine offerings with a | | | | in the traditional methode champenoise. Chenin |
| terrific meal. | | | | Blanc, French Colombard and a touch of cassis |
| <B>WINES TASTED:</B> | | | | are used to produce this festive sparkler. The |
| <B>RATED 4½ STARS - D. H. Lescombes | | | | nose offers a bouquet of subtle cassis. The |
| 2008 Cabernet Franc Limited Release (New | | | | mousse is enticing. The palate is semi sweet, well |
| Mexico) $80.00</B> | | | | balanced and delivers a long finish. The typical |
| Wine from New Mexico? Move over Gruet, D.H. | | | | flavor of a fine sparkling wine (bready, citrus) with |
| Lescombes is hot on your heels! Enticing aromas | | | | a provocative hint of cassis will surely please the |
| of cassis, vanilla and herbs make up the nose of | | | | drinker. I crave this wine. - Tom DiNardo, the |
| this beautiful red. Dry, fruit forward, flavors of | | | | Wine Zealot |
| black cherry, licorice and spice are to be | | | | <B>RATED 5 STARS - Blue Teal 2007 |
| anticipated. Balanced structure and elegant tannins | | | | Muscat Canelli (New Mexico) $13.00</B> |
| assist in creating a memorable finish. The D.H. | | | | The nose of this white wine is filled with scents of |
| Lescombes Cabernet Franc won the Best of | | | | honeysuckle and other tropical flowers. The palate |
| Class in the 2009 San Francisco Wine | | | | is sweet, but well structured in its balance |
| Competition. - Tom DiNardo, the Wine Zealot | | | | between sugar and acidity. Delicious flavors of |
| <B>RATED 4½ STARS - D. H. Lescombes | | | | tropical fruits, melon and granny smith apple |
| 2007 Mourvedre Limited Release (New Mexico) | | | | deliver a wonderfully long finish. Drink now. - Tom |
| $32.00</B> | | | | DiNardo, the Wine Zealot |
| D.H. Lescombes does it again, creating another | | | | Recently, the D.H. Lescombes 2007 Cabernet |
| phenomenal New Mexico red wine. A fragrant | | | | Franc won the Best of Class in the 2009 San |
| bouquet of black cherry, plum, spice and vanilla | | | | Francisco Wine Competition. The accolades and |
| comprise this wine's nose. Dry, unctuous, flavors | | | | awards received by Southwest Wines and the |
| of black cherry, umami, and licorice make up the | | | | Lescombes are numerous and their reputation as |
| palate. Elegant tannins and incredible balance create | | | | a truly fine winemaker is quickly drawing the |
| a very long finish. The D.H. Lescombes Mourvedre | | | | attention of the public eye. Take a tasting tour of |
| won a Gold Medal in the 2009 San Francisco Wine | | | | Southwest in your own home by taking |
| Competition. - Tom DiNardo, the Wine Zealot | | | | advantage of these terrific wines made available |
| <B>RATED 3 STARS - D. H. Lescombes | | | | at desert hot prices. |
| 2005 Merlot Limited Release (New Mexico) | | | | |