Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Chandler Hill Vineyards

On a nice fall day, several of us visited Chandler Hill's tasting room.  Chandler Hill Winery is in Defiance, Missouri, near Daniel Boone's Home and Heritage Center owned and operated by Lindenwood University. They are just a couple miles off Highway 94 just west of St. Louis.

We had lunch, enjoyed the live music and, of course, tasted the wines. I had the opportunity to meet Tom Murphy, Winemaker and Vineyard Manager, who was helping out at the tasting bar that Saturday. I had a nice conversation with Tom, a friendly and humble man, who has put together some great wines.  He has created a nicely balanced blend of Missouri reds named King Buck. The Chandler Hill Norton has a great array of fruit flavors (blackberry, cherry, etc.) and spice (cinnamon and nutmeg).  It is not easy to successfully corral the goodness of the Norton grape in a quality dry red wine. Chandler Hill has produced a very good expression of the Norton grape in their Savage Norton 2008. But should you not be in the mood for sampling Midwest wines, Chandler Hill also offers West Coast wines representing some of the best AVAs in Oregon, Washington, and California.

Everything was top-notch at Chandler Hill (see www.chandlerhillvineyards.com).  Whether you are just interested in tasting, or also looking for a tasty lunch and good music, Chandler Hill has an impressive venue with a great view and plenty of seating.




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