Skip to main content

Taken in Austin

A college visit with my daughter timed well with an invitation to meet Josh Phelps of Taken Wine in Austin for a tasting of his newly released wines. Josh has only been out of college for five years himself; he started this company with childhood friend Carlo Trinchero. The two have known each other since they were five years old, they grew up in St Helena in Napa Valley and, as both have winemaker fathers, they were always immersed in the world of wine . 

Their first release was sold out locally before they had even come up with their company's name. Every label name they dreamed up was already taken so Josh in a moment of irony and frustration took the name Taken for the company. As the two are millennial winemakers, the name made them think of social media relationship status and Complicated was added to the line. 

With a group of local wine professionals, we tasted three wines over lunch at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille. All the wines were well received and more than one re-pour was requested. I thought the wines were all fresh, well balanced and a great quality for the price. I would recommend all three.

  • 2012 Complicated Chardonnay Sonoma County - Bright aromas and flavors of lime zest and peach with a hint of spice. Medium body, refreshing acidity and a lingering fruity finish. 
  • 2011 Complicated Red Wine Central Coast - This is a blend of 50% Syrah, 43% Grenache and 7% Carignane. It was particularly good with the pork chop. Ripe black berries with smoky meat and coffee. Medium+ body, fresh acidity with sweet ripe tannins and a long finish.
  • 2011 Taken Red Wine Napa Valley - This is a blend of 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot. Approachable and classic Napa Valley despite the difficult growing season. Pronounced aromas and flavors of ripe black berries and cherries with graphite, chocolate and toasted notes. Full body, fresh acidity and velvety tannins with a long finish.
Labels:

Comments

  1. KassiJuly 21, 2014 at 6:59 PM

    I picked up a bottle of the Taken the other day at Sam's and we just drank it a couple of nights ago. We really enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra CrittendenJuly 23, 2014 at 2:22 PM

      Glad to hear that you enjoyed it, too, and great to know where to find it in our area!
      Everyone appreciates that information. Thanks for reading and commenting.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thank you for reading Wine Life - Houston.

Popular posts from this blog

Lust Zinfandel 2007

     My husband loves this wine so he purchased quite a few bottles at a recent Michael~David  dinner that we had attended. Last night, I decided to open a bottle to serve with dinner. I was making a roasted southwestern pork tenderloin, sweet potato fries (w/ chipolte ketchup) and a salad consisting of baby lettuce (fresh from my garden) with strawberries, red bell peppers, red onions and walnuts tossed with a white balsamic-raspberry vinaigrette.      This turned out to be a great pairing. It is a bold wine that really stood up to the strong chipolte seasoning while complementing the fruit flavors. I opened the bottle a 1/2 hour before I served it as I have found this wine to be more enjoyable when I do so.      The Lust Zinfandel by Michael~David 2007  was a dark purple color with a ruby rim. It has intense aromas of very ripe mixed berries and baking spices-both allspice and ginger with hints of ...
6 comments
Read more

Introducing Oltrepò Pavese - An Italian Sparkling Wine that You Should Know

Last year, I had the opportunity to travel to Italy to taste the wines of Oltrepò Pavese. I discovered that these sparkling wines are based on Pinot Noir, they are made in the traditional method, like Champagne, and most importantly, they are an Italian hidden gem that bubble lovers across the world need to put on their radar. In the August issue of Galveston Monthly magazine, I introduce these wines to my readers.
Post a Comment
Read more

World of Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara -on location

Tasting Rombauer Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with Pacific Ocean views. I was given the opportunity to attend the annual World of Pinot Noir event last month which brings together the foremost Pinot Noir wineries and winemakers from around the world in a weekend-long celebration of this enticing wine. Champagne to Bourgogne in France, down under wines from Tasmania in Australia, Pinot focused wineries in South America, and all along America's premium West Coast Pinot regions including Santa Barbara, Russian River Valley, up to Willamette Valley, this is truly a celebration of Pinot Noir from around the world.  A Grand Tasting of Pinot Noir at the Ritz Carlton Bacara. Though the house was full ,it was still easy to maneuver to the different tasting tables to sip with the many winemakers on the floor. Attendees have the opportunity to enjoy tasting classes, paired winemaker lunches and dinners, and two Grand Tastings in the refined comfort of the Ritz Carlton Bacara Hotel in ...
Post a Comment
Read more