Archive: Chile: Merlot
Casa Lapostolle
2005 Merlot Rapel Valley ($12). Fairly herbal, with moderate blackberry and plum flavors that pick up a slightly gamy edge on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Robyn’s Picks 07/07)
2002 Merlot Colchagua Valley Cuvée Alexandre ($19). Appealing smoky herb aromatics and flavors add interest to ripe red berry and plum flavors, with a wave of chocolate and toasty oak that lingers through the finish. Nothing shy here — all big flavors and supple texture. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine 06/05)
1999 Merlot Colchagua Valley Cuvée Alexandre ($25). All the fruit-forwardness and juicy character of New World wines, with a smoky flinty quality that (I swear) makes me think Pomerol – or at least St. Emilion. Whatever – these are rich, full-bodied wines with outstanding tannic structure that makes them age worthy as well as delicious. Priced around $25, they are worth every penny. The 1999 Colchagua Valley vintage was jammy and bursting with concentrated red berry fruit, milk chocolate and vanilla extract notes, and a generous finish. I for one can’t wait to taste the 2000! (Robyn’s Picks, 02/02)
Concha y Toro
2004 Merlot Peumo Marques de Casa Concha ($19). Pretty red berry and plum flavors are accented with loads of toasty, vanilla oak and tobacco leaf notes. Ready to drink now. (Robyn’s Picks 07/07)
2002 Merlot Peumo Marqués de Casa Concha ($15). Really liked this wine — and a bargain at $15. Offering fresh ripe blackberry and plum flavors, with good concentration, and layers of accents that include mocha, toasty oak, a touch of earth and a burst of fresh fruit acidity at the finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 01/05)
1999 Merlot Peumo Marques de Casa Concha ($14). Unbelievable value here, with rich varietal fruit accented with generous toasty oak, smooth mocha, and anise. Big finish. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Weekend Wine, 08/02)
Dallas Conte 2001 Merlot Rapel Valley ($10). Cracked black pepper and loads of rosemary accent the red fruit aromas and flavors, showing some concentration through the finish. Needs food to balance the strong herbal character. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 01/05)
Errazuriz
2000 Merlot Curico Valley ($10). A great value, with ripe plum and blackberry fruit, toasty oak, and a bit of appealing earthiness that adds interest and dimension. A fun wine — ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 01/02)
1999 Merlot Aconcagua Valley Don Maximiano Estate Reserve ($25). We’re definitely enthusiastic about Chilean wines these days, but this one was a bit of a letdown. Perfectly nice and drinkable, this wine is fruit-driven and features juicy berry and plum fruit with spicy oak and vanilla bean notes. Nice finish. Ready to drink now. We just expected a bit more from a Reserve wine at $25! (Weekend Wine, 01/02)
Luis Felipe Edwards
2001 Merlot Colchagua Gran Reserva ($13). A lot of bang for the buck in this medium-bodied Chilean Merlot, with rich, ripe red cherry and berry fruit laced with milk chocolate, toasty oak and appealing spice. Lush finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 09/03)
2001 Merlot Colchagua ($8). Not much going on here, with rather simple red fruit and little else. Ready to drink now.(Weekend Wine , 10/03)
Veramonte
2004 Primus Casablanca Valley ($17). A blend of Merlot (46%), Cabernet Sauvignon (31%) and Carmenère (23%). Offers smoky blackberry and plum flavors and aromas on a smooth, medium-bodied frame. Picks up allspice, bittersweet chocolate and roasted herb notes through the long finish. Shows some grip at the end. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Weekend Wine 03/07)
2004 Merlot Casablanca Valley Reserva ($10). Don’t we wish all $10 Merlots were this good? Pretty and balanced, with plush red plum aromas and flavors laced with chocolate and lightly spicy oak that lingers on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 12/06)
2003 Primus Casablanca Valley ($16). Lipsmacking blueberry, tobacco and vanilla aromas and flavors, picking up bittersweet chocolate and toasty oak on the finish. A blend of Merlot (43%), Cabernet Sauvignon (36%) and Carmenere (21%) from Chile. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 04/06)
Vina Carmen 2000 Merlot Rapel Valley Reserve ($15). Ripe and supple, with juicy cherry and blackberry fruit spiked with toffee, mocha and toasty oak. Complex finish lingers beautifully. Another value from Chile. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 09/03)
Vina MontGras 2000 Merlot Colchagua Valley ($7). Really didn’t care for this wine. Tasted overripe and a little funky; hard to discern the fruit. (Winery Spotlight, 10/02)
Vina San Pedro 1998 Merlot Lontue Castillo de Molina Reserva (Chile, $10) — Sweet juicy red fruit framed by layers of oak, chocolate, coffee, and a bit of earthiness make this easy and most enjoyable to drink. Ready now. (Weekend Wine, 10/00)
Vina Tarapaca 2001 Merlot Casablanca Valley Reserve ($11). Dusty, earthy aromas and flavors accent ripe red berry and plum fruit. Roasted coffee and spicy oak accents on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 12/03)
Viu Manent 2002 Merlot Colchagua Valley Reserve ($12). Spicy blackberry and blueberry aromas introduce waves of ripe berry flavors laced with baking spices and mocha notes that linger on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Weekend Wine 07/04)