Recommendation: Not recommended
Winery/Producer:Childress Winery; Lexington, North Carolina
Grape Variety: Pinot Gris
Geographic Region, Appellation: North Carolina
Vintage: 2011
Price: $14.99
Purchased From: Childress Vineyards (Part of the wine club December distribution)
Pared With: Grilled salmon, oven fried potatoes and coleslaw
Tasting:
He said: Served chilled. Crystal clear with a very light straw color. Very light fresh fruit and pear aromas. Tart, fruity taste that goes into a medium-length finish and ends leaving a bitter taste in the mouth. Medium body, but it lacked the crisp refreshing taste I was expecting. This is drinkable and better than the last few Childress wines we have had (Childress Vineyards Reserve Series Merlot, Childress Reserve Series Syrah, Childress Barrel Select Malbec and Childress Vineyards Barrel Select Barbera), but it doesn’t hold a candle to the many other less expensive Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigo we have had. At best it’s an OK wine. Would we buy this again…probably, the next time were on the veranda having lunch at the Childress Vineyard…where the ambiance makes up for all deficits of the wine!!!
She said: This is the most drinkable wine we have tasted from Childress! But what is that saying? Not much and it makes me wonder why Childress can’t get it right when he appears to have plenty of money available for investment. But then if I were a California vintner I would be reluctant to leave the the land of opportunity for the uncharted shores of North Carolina vineyards. To be fair to the Childress vintner, the problem may be that North Carolina is not suitable for growing grapes that are competitive with California and the small wineries in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy that produce luscious wine at reasonable prices. Enough ranting…back to the wine of the evening. The bouquet was light and leads to a dry mouth experience that has a hint of pear and a tinge of bitterness typical of many Pinot Grigos and perhaps Pinot Gris. A very drinkable wine and the best value we have had with Childress, but I would not go out of my way for it.
Comments: See also: Our wine tasting at Childress Vineyard on May 21, 2013.
Alcohol: 13.6%
Bar code: 182681000231