Goose Watch Winery, Finger Lakes (New York) Chambourcin 2016

 The Chambourcin grape is a complex hybrid developed by Johannes Seyve in France and first commercialized in 1963.  Chambourcin is a promising, but largely unheralded grape variety that is planted mostly in the central and eastern United States.  It has proven its ability to survive the cold winter temperatures as well as the high humidity of the heartland.  It is unusual in that the juice of its berries is red, resulting in deeply colored wines with a distinctive red fruit character.  On a site that overlooks Cayuga Lake, the Goose Watch Winery began production in 1997 and focuses on uncommon grape varieties.  Their 2016 Chambourcin shows both the quality and ageability of this variety.  Still available from the winery, this Chambourcin shows layers of deliciously pure red fruit.   A cascade of pure raspberry, cranberry and red cherry fruit flavors are underscored by subtleties of vanilla, spice and an intriguing floral nuance.  Even at seven years of age, it’s a deliciously fresh and vibrant red wine that offers characteristics that recall wines from Beaujolais, Chianti, or Valpolicella.  It is worth a special order while it is still available.