Les Copains Red
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2025
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled pork chops, roasted duck, portobello mushroom burgers
✨ Technical Specifications
McPherson Cellars, based in Lubbock, Texas, is a cornerstone of the Lone Star State's modern wine industry. Founded by Kim McPherson—whose father, Dr. Clinton 'Doc' McPherson, was a legendary pioneer who first planted wine grapes in the Texas High Plains in the 1960s—the winery is celebrated for proving that Mediterranean varieties thrive in Texas's unique terroir. 'Les Copains' (meaning 'The Friends') is a tribute to the camaraderie of the winemaking community. This Rhône-style red blend is crafted from grapes grown in the sandy loam soils of the high-altitude Texas High Plains AVA, where hot days and cool nights preserve acidity. The wine is typically aged in neutral oak to highlight its bright red berry flavors, subtle spice, and earthy undertones, reflecting a harmonious, food-friendly style.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2000 by winemaker Kim McPherson and opened within a converted 1930s Coca-Cola bottling plant in Lubbock's Depot District in 2008, McPherson Cellars honors the pioneering legacy of Dr. Clinton 'Doc' McPherson, a founding father of modern Texas viticulture. Sourcing fruit almost entirely from the wind-swept Texas High Plains AVA, the estate champions warm-climate cultivars uniquely adapted to the region's semi-arid, continental climate, sandy clay loam soils, and high elevations above 3,000 feet. Diurnal shifts preserve vibrant natural acidity, counteracting intense summer heat. Embracing a philosophy of planting to the land rather than mimicking Burgundian or Bordeaux archetypes, McPherson focuses predominantly on Rhône, Iberian, and Mediterranean varieties. Vinified primarily in stainless steel with judicious oak contact, benchmark white and rosé bottlings like The Queen Viognier, Reserve Roussanne, Picpoul Blanc, and Les Copains White deliver crisp minerality, balanced ripeness, and distinctive regional authenticity.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah