Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery, Kansas (United States) Chambourcin 2016

 Chambourcin is a promising grape variety that is planted mostly in the central and eastern United States.  The grape is a complex hybrid developed by Johannes Seyve in France and first commercialized in 1963.  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 cherry and raspberry character.  The Chambourcin from the Holy-Field Winery in Kansas exhibits the potential of this variety.  When properly ripened, Chambourcin can show deliciously pure fruit.  Holy-Field has captured the best of the variety in their 2016 bottling.  The attractive style of the Chambourcin is clearly evident with layers of pure raspberry, cranberry and red cherry fruits underscored by subtleties of vanilla, spice and an intriguing smoky nuance.  It’s a delicious red wine that offers characteristics that recall wines from Beaujolais, Chianti or Valpolicella.  It’s clear evidence of the promising possibilities for Chambourcin.