Bill Blackmon...there is so much back story to tell about this great man, so let's save that one for a future novel. Even just trying to sum up his contributions to the Texas wine industry is a lengthy essay in of itself. Let's just say that many know him quite well from William Chris Vineyards. Who knew back then that starting out that first opening day with his partner and good friend Chris Brundrett in an old farmhouse that was still a "work in progress", would lead to what the winery is today. His labor of love and sweat at cultivating the former Granite Hill Vineyards as well as contributing his expertise to several vineyards and wineries in the area will leave a lasting impression for a very long time.
Bill's latest venture in the Texas wine world is his own wine brand sourced from his vineyard, Blackmon Ranch Vineyard, in Mason, Texas. Some of you may have been lucky enough to grab a bottle of William & Chris wine that was sourced from his vineyard a few years ago. Delicious doesn't even begin to describe those wines. Yes, it's that damn good! Bill's vineyard sits on the Hickory Sandstone formation which has outcrops in Mason and area counties. Several well-known vineyards in the county have been out there for a while growing grapes. Many Texas wine fans are aware of the superb fruit quality that these vineyards produce that end up in award-winning wines. This soon to be Hickory Sands AVA designation for those Mason County area vineyards will be a testament to the uniqueness of this wine growing region. For the Blackmon Ranch Vineyards, you'll have some vines starting around 2015 onward. With primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and some Petite Verdot being grown on the estate, these vine jewels are the source for both single varietal and great blending wines.
You may have already had some "sneak peek" tastings of these wines at Mason events and weekends when the tasting room is open. In the works for a while (and some say longer) has been a tasting room on the square. It had opened for a soft opening during the October 2023 Art and Wine festival and starting in 2024 more regular hours on weekends. The prime showing in the beginning was their 2021 releases. First up for tasting was their 2021 Red Blend. Made from primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and some Malbec, you'll get some rich balance of blackberries and cherries along with a touch of spice. It's well balanced, has good tannins, and has some excellent fruit forward notes. Next up, was the 2021 Merlot. This estate wine is full of rich flavors and enticing aromas that will surely make a Merlot lover out of you instantly. The star of the selection must be the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon. Oh my, it is big and bold with a full mouthfeel and satisfying finish that leaves you wondering if you have found the golden ticket. An extra treat to try is a special tasting of their 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. To say that it's tasting well now does not do justice. That is an extra special wine worth savoring. Check out if the 2020 vintage is available and just maybe the 2018 first release might be around for a few diehard fans.
All these wines are very age worthy, and it will be an extra special treat to see how they will continue to evolve over time. Texas weather is a never-ending challenge, but Bill has gone through more than his fair share of those challenges and still knows how to grow great grapes and craft great wine from what may seem challenging odds. Let's look forward to future releases as well as going back in our cellar and re-sampling some of these wines in the future (you might have to stick around 10+ years for that). Mason is well worth putting on your wine travel bucket list to check out and explore, so stay tuned for future updates and opportunities to try Blackmon wines in the future. Cheers! read more
