Shade Mountain Chambourcin 2002

One of the first things you notice upon opening a bottle of Shade Mountain Chambourcin 2002 is its deep, ruby color. In fact, the color might be more accurately described as burgundy. If you swirl your glass, the next thing you might notice are its "legs" or "tears". Although many modern wine experts no longer emphasize legs in wine reviews, it is an aspect of wine tasting that most wine enthusiasts still appreciate. Even though the percentage of alcohol isn't indicated on the label, I would venture to say that this wine has a moderately high alcohol content.

The aroma is reminiscent of licorice, pepper, tart cherries and spice. From the nose, even before your first sip, you can tell this is a full-bodied wine with intense and complex flavors.

Your palate immediately tells you that your nose was right. The flavors are rich, full-bodied and complex. There is a bold spiciness and the rich flavor of tart cherries and black currants. It also has a very subtle, soft oakiness. Coupled with a strong forward, this chambourcin has a long and satisfying finish. It is a perfect choice for relaxing at the end of the day whether with friends or alone.

The chambourcin grape is a red wine hybrid that was introduced in 1963. It is highly revered in France's Loire region and is very resistant to fungal disease but is somewhat susceptible to powdery mildew. This variety is primarily used as a blending grape and is frequently not even mentioned on the wine label. Chambourcin has recently been nicknamed "Pennsylvania Zinfandel" and is growing in popularity.