Name: 2007 Chateau de Kephart
Producer: Allen Kephart
Region: Italy
Region: Italy
Classification: Homemade Kit Wine
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Sangiovese/Merlot
Year/Vintage: 2007
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: Free, November 2008
Date Logged: 1/29/2009
Pairing(s): Grilled burgers
My Rating: 2.5 Stars
A friend of mine made this wine from a kit and asked me to give it a whirl. It was his first shot at winemaking. The juice came from Italy and is reportedly a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, so I’m guessing the style is intended to be sort of “Super-Tuscan”.
As far as homebrews go, I thought this came out pretty well, and in fact I think it would stand up against a lot of the Kendall Jackson-like wines I’ve paid as much as $10 for. The wine was beautiful in the glass, with a deep ruby color that reminded me of Syrah. The nose was a little closed but was definitely dominated with plenty of cherry cola-like aromas. However, it also had some vegetal characteristics lurking in the background that were reminiscent of pickled beets and green peppers - a little more complex than I expected, and reminded me a little bit of Italian salad dressing...unusual to say the least.
A friend of mine made this wine from a kit and asked me to give it a whirl. It was his first shot at winemaking. The juice came from Italy and is reportedly a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, so I’m guessing the style is intended to be sort of “Super-Tuscan”.
As far as homebrews go, I thought this came out pretty well, and in fact I think it would stand up against a lot of the Kendall Jackson-like wines I’ve paid as much as $10 for. The wine was beautiful in the glass, with a deep ruby color that reminded me of Syrah. The nose was a little closed but was definitely dominated with plenty of cherry cola-like aromas. However, it also had some vegetal characteristics lurking in the background that were reminiscent of pickled beets and green peppers - a little more complex than I expected, and reminded me a little bit of Italian salad dressing...unusual to say the least.
It was pure fruit-bomb on the front palate, with cherry once again playing the dominant role. The mid-palate was attacked with some uneven acidity that gave it a little bit of a vinegary impression, but it was quickly replaced with a firm but very short tannic finish.
We paired this with classic grilled American hamburgers, which it supported fairly well. The acidity actually seemed to balance out a little better when put up beside the pickle relish and mustard, and the tannins had just enough umph to cut through the grilled flavor without lingering too long at the end. All in all, a very drinkable effort. Given the elements present in it now, it is likely to evolve over the next year or so into a more complex profile that could prove interesting.
We paired this with classic grilled American hamburgers, which it supported fairly well. The acidity actually seemed to balance out a little better when put up beside the pickle relish and mustard, and the tannins had just enough umph to cut through the grilled flavor without lingering too long at the end. All in all, a very drinkable effort. Given the elements present in it now, it is likely to evolve over the next year or so into a more complex profile that could prove interesting.
