I've always considered Chambourcin a grape that could use a little something. In in this case, Merlot is perfect. Usually when we blend wines, I look for complementary characteristics, where one wine has a deficiency, the second one can help fill that hole. With our Merlot Chambourcin blend, I find that the two wines seem to amplify each other. They are both wines with solid fruit characteristics and supple tannins (and in the case of Chambourcin, very little tannins.) When we blend them together in a bottle, they just seem to play nicely together.
Usually when we blend wines, I look for complementary characteristics, where one wine has a deficiency, the second one can help fill that hole. With our Merlot Chambourcin blend, I find that the two wines seem to amplify each other. They are both wines with solid fruit characteristics and supple tannins (and in the case of Chambourcin, very little tannins.) When we blend them together in a bottle, they just seem to play nicely together.