Archive: Chile: Carmenere & Blends
Concha y Toro
2008 Carmenere Rapel Valley Casillero del Diablo Reserve ($11). Mint and briary notes accent plum and raspberry fruit, with espresso and herbal accents that linger through the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-04-29)
2005 Carmenère Central Valley Casillero del Diablo ($9). Appealing, with moderate red plum fruit accented with sweet spices, mocha and light herbal notes that linger on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Robyn’s Picks 07/07)
De Martino 2005 Carmenère Maipo Valley Single Vineyard ($25). Ripe and flavorful, with concentrated black currant and plum flavors accented with earthy coffee bean and roasted herb notes. Smooth, generous finish. Ready to drink now. (Robyn’s Picks 07/07)
Emiliana 2008 Carmenere Central Valley Natura ($11). Very nice for the price! With plum and blackberry character accented with toasty vanilla, sweet tobacco and light spices. Appealing, fruity finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-06-27)
Luis Felipe Edwards
2001 Carmenere Colchagua ($8). Clear cut favorite among the non-Reservas, with medium-bodied black cherry and berry fruit, generous spices, soft tannins, and an appealing toasty oak note on the lingering finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine , 10/03) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2001 Carmenere Colchagua Gran Reserva ($13). Opulent and rich, with deep black currant and cherry fruit layered with loads of clove and other spices, smoke and a rich vanilla accent. Very good. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine , 10/03) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Montes 2007 Carmenere Colchagua Valley Alpha($26). Meaty, savory, peppery aromas and flavors accent full-bodied black cherry fruit, with briar and toasted vanilla notes mingling on the long, intense finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-03-26)
MontGras
2007 Carmenere Colchagua Valley Reserva ($14). Deep and aromatic, with ripe black fruit flavors accented with loads of spices, fresh sage and a touch of smoke. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-10)
2000 Carmenere Colchagua Valley Reserva ($10). Lacks much in the way of bouquet, and finishes rather short. But in between, there are some nice blackberry and spice flavors. Ready to drink now. (Winery Spotlight, 10/02) Locate this wine online or in your area.
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2007 Carmenere Valle Central ($12). Offers a spicy, chocolatey edge to juicy red berry aromas and flavors. Medium bodied. Moderate finish. Easy to pair with a wide range of foods — particularly burgers, barbecue and the like. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-02-24)
2005 Carmenère Merlot Valle Central ($12). Smooth and easy-drinking, with ripe red cherry and blueberry flavors accented with generous black pepper and toasty oak notes. Ready to drink now. (Robyn’s Picks 07/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2005 Carmenère Valle Central ($12). Lean, vegetal, green. Everything that can be wrong with Carmenère… (Robyn’s Picks 07/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Santa Rita 2005 Carmenere Rapel Valley 120 ($9). A tasty little wine that (thankfully) steered away from green and headed straight for ripe, with smooth plum and silky chocolate flavors accented with just a dash of earthiness. Would be a winner with casual backyard barbecue or even a grilled hamburger. Ready to drink now. (Drinks with Les Dames 02/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Viña Casa Silva
2006 Carmenere Colchagua Valley Los Lingues Gran Reserva ($23). Nice value here, with ripe blackberry and plum flavors that stay fresh through the smooth finish, picking up creamy, toasty vanilla and light spice notes through the finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-01-05)
2005 Carmenere Colchagua Valley Microterroir de los Lingues ($49). Spicy blackberry is layered with mineral, sage, black olive and toast, with a velvety, plummy finish that lingers nicely. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-01-05)
Vina Santa Carolina 2007 Carmenere Rapel Valley Reserva de Familia ($15). Wow — if all Carmenere tasted like this, it would have a better reputation! I could drink this all day long — deep, rich plum and berry fruit is accented with clove, licorice, tobacco and briar notes that linger on the plush finish. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-03-22)
Vina Tarapaca 2001 Carmenere Maipo Valley Estate ($8). Instantly likeable red makes a nice change of pace from the everyday under $10 bottle. Supple red fruit integrated with a deep, warm spiciness and bittersweet chocolate notes. Moderate finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 12/03) Locate this wine online or in your area.