Tennessee wines

[dananne]

Had my 2nd and 3rd wines from the same producer. A few days ago, we opened the Chambourcin. It's called "Passion," and ran about $18. It was from the '00 vintage. Anyway, it showed the same nose as the other wine, and Anne finally decided that it wasn't flea powder or stawberry urine after all -- she thinks it seemed "pesticidal." Do wineries use pesticides that will impact nose and/or flavor? Anyway, Anne instructed me to pour it down the drain. "I don't have to drink this," she said. 13% alc. Didn't get a good look at the color or get any impression from my brief taste -- the nose was just too bad.

A few nights later, I had enough nerve built up to try another. It's the '02 "Big Bitch Red" blend from them. No notes on the varietals in the blend. Good purple color in the glass, and the nose was plum and peppery. Not a bad quaffer, with flavors that went more to the red fruits than I would have guessed from the color/nose. Finally a decent one from these guys, though a bit vegetal on the finish. Alc. 12% It goes for about $15.

Still have a Nebbiolo blend to try. Gotta work up some courage first, however.