Wild raspberry, star anise, pulverized dark cherry. Black licorice, dried clay, crushed blueberry. Brambly blackberry, red apple skin, and Santa Rosa plum muddle with forest floor, smoke, and red pepper flakes in a remarkably wild and unconventional attack. Fennel, cumin, and paprika emerge to bolster the complex spice-laden aromatics above earthy tones of moss, tree bark, and morel mushroom. Interesting impressions of potpourri, rose extract, and decomposing flowers provide a pleasantly funky floral overlay while notes of tilled soil, cold charcoal, and blood reveal a sanguine and earthy edge. Quite fascinating and unexpected yet nicely balanced; featuring a rugged and wild-fruited profile framed by complex earth, herbs, and spice. Medium plus in body with elevated tannin supported by moderate acidity. This 2014 Chambourcin Reserve by Penns Woods Winery is an unusual and intriguing red from Pennsylvania.

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Chambourcin, a French-American hybrid grape with unknown parentage, was first created the the 1860's and has expanded in popularity in the last half-century thanks to its high yields and resistance to disease. As a teinturier grape with red juice in addition to red skin it can produce wines of intense color and flavor, and it has become a staple of many vineyards along America's east coast. This bottling, crafted by Penns Woods Winery using Chambourcin grown in Pennsylvania, beautifully exhibits the distinct character traits of this unique grape. While it does possess nice concentration of fruit the story of this wine revolves largely around its non-fruit flavors, primarily its herbal and spicy notes which are almost reminiscent of grapes like Zinfandel, Blaufrankish, or Carignan. This is an extremely interesting offering that, while showing a bit of its age, currently exhibits no signs of decline.