Thursday, July 31, 2008

Childress Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon North Carolina Reserve 2005

81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19%Syrah
13.4% Alcohol
$23.99 at Taylor's Fine Wine and Grocery

Color: Crimson, almost ruby
Nose: Alcohol (I probably could have let it breathe longer), a bit of tobacco behind the cherries and plums. I sniffed a background of oak and cedar, and an aromatic eucalyptus note.
Palate: This wine is not as big as it smells. It's clean, with an added dose of that cedar and eucalyptus. Tart cherries and tobacco, like the bouquet, but with a mouthwatering acidity in the finish.

It went pretty well with our dinner of pan-seared pork chops, black eyed peas with tomatoes and balsamic vinegar, and spinach salad with dried blueberries. Sometimes the wine displayed a cocoa powder sort of a thing when in combination with the food.

Not a bad wine, but the balance isn't quite where I'd want it. A little less of the cedar, a little less (but not too much less) acidity, and more body would make it great. Anyway, it's interesting and it stands up well.

Childress Vineyards Website

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