Childress – Stick to racing cars, please

Richard Childress, hot rod on the NASCAR circuit, is just another case in point as to those who should stick to their profession, the one that made them money!  Not, wine making.
Seriously, take a look at this guy – really?  Obviously has time to safari hunt, why would he waste time sinking his money into making wine.  Excess money dude?  Go on another lion killing spree…!!  What the?  

I am asked a million times a day, “Hey Leslee, have you had this wine…have you had that wine…what do you think?”  Some of them I’ve had, some of them not, some of them never heard of and some of them…well, I’ll get to them.  But when asked if I’d ever had ‘this’ wine, I giggled, and kindly said, “nope”.  I have one theory and it consistently proves itself true.  Those who are famous and decided to run off and start a winery for purposes of ‘making money’, should stick to what made them famous in the first place.  This long list of ‘famous’ folk range in profession to:  rock stars, NASCAR drivers, politicians, movie stars and more.  Sad, but true.
My first experience with ‘wanting to believe’ came when I found that Mr. Dave Matthews, my favorite musician, started an organic vineyard and farm site by the name of Blenheim Vineyards.  Blenheim, a huge support to local agriculture and its community does a beautiful job on the front of organic fruits and veges, but when it comes to wine – ummm, I love you Dave – but really?  Not so good.  Overly enthusiastic and well, wanting to support my favorite musician even more (like the Forbes list doesn’t do enough for him?), I called the winery and bought 2 cases of his wine.  I bought everything he made.  Once received, I pulled them out bottle by bottle – wanting, wishing it ALL to be as amazing as his music.  No such luck.  My love for Dave’s wines just didn’t transcend from the gorgeous lyrics of his musical poetry to his wine.  Sorry Dave.  So…I leave a few bottles to my cellar as a piece to remind me that I should stick to those who know how to make wine to sooth my palate, not scare it.
Case in point when I was given a bottle of Mr. Childress’s 2006 Reserve Cabernet last nite.  My group of gals, had asked…’Have you had this wine?’  And, that’s when I giggled.  Wanting me to, at least, try it out – they gave me a bottle to take home – to blog about.  Well, here it is, girls…
Leslee’s Tasting Notes for the 2006 Childress Reserve Cabernet – North Carolina:
Nose:  Michelin Tires and Burnt Plastic
Palate: Burnt cherry pop tarts that fell through the cracks of a dirty oven (maybe one that you had in college) – probably one that had once housed too many frozen pizzas.  Can’t get past the burnt ‘barbie doll’ plastic smell and the palate so off putting that I’d rather drink fish oil straight from the bottle.
Ouch, too harsh?  Not even.  This bottle of wine doesn’t deserve the light of day.  I can’t say the same about Dave’s wine.  At least his would be considered ‘drinkable’ in some parts of the world.
That’s it.  Case proven, again, again and again.  Joni Mitchell, Dave Matthews, Hulk Hogan, Richard Petty, Mario Andretti – I’m sorry.
Stick to the those who are making it ‘for the love of the wine’ that’s my best advice.  Money isn’t everything, but wine – well, it kind of is.  Live well, but drink even better.  Cheers!