chilean wines

A. Lapostolle “Casa” Chardonnay 2007

The most amusing note about this was that it tasted like “vomit and fruit.” It had an unwelcome bitterness. Most people found it unbalanced, inelegant at best.

B. Ché-vere Cabernet Sauvignon Valle Central 2007

B was for Boring, for most of us. Someone said it was like D but not as good; it was exactly as deep as the typical Che Guevara T-shirt wearer.

C. Montgras Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley 2006

This was full of cherry flavor. One person remarked that it was well balanced, inoffensive, tame. Another called it simply “red.” It would be a good party wine.

D. Santa Ema Reserve Merlot, Maipo Valley 2005

“Smooth” appears in three separate notes. Flavors of cacao, chocolate, with some bite – one person said “rubber cement, in a good way,” it has nice spice to it.

E. Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere DO Peumo 2007

Raspberry, herb, chocolate, plum. This was a well made, unmistakable Carmenere. Inky purple, full, and rich. One person did not like its lingering finish. This was my clear favorite.

F. Casa Silva Sauvignon Gris Cochagua Valley 2007

One note says “watered down martini,” another “mouthwash tang.” This had a nose of diesel on top of dirty melon rind.

G. Montes “Classic” Chardonnay, DO Curico Valle 2008

Classic indeed. Beautiful fruit, well integrated hint of oak. Nice acidity, crisp, went nicely with the crab dip. I would add that everything I have had from Montes is either very good or great.

H. “Calcu” Blend Colchagua Valley 2007

Cabernet Sauvignon .5 / Carmenere .3 / .15 Cab Franc / .05 Petit Verdot. Tart, tannic and tight. One person loved it, finding it Pinot Noir-like, peppery, spicy but light. Another way of putting this was “beef + caramel”.

S. Origin Carmenere Central Valley 2008

Well-liked, easygoing, straightforward and uncomplicated. This could tend to uninteresting depending on food pairing, but another good party wine here.

T. Peralillo “Arenal” Carmenere Central Valley 2008

Tight, tannic, leather, stone. This improved by being open and swirled around a bit. For anyone on the fence about it, I would say to try another bottle, this seemed to me slightly corked.

V/W. Root:1 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Valley 2008

No one identified these two as being the same. I said one was “full, rich, cherry, chocolate” and the other a “neat blend.” It is in fact Cab .85 / Syrah .15. Many people noted fruit flavors like cherry, pomegranate, currant, blackberry.

X. Urban Red Blend Maule Valley 2008

.41 Merlot / .29 Cab Franc / .22 Carignan / .08 Cabernet Sauvignon was two people’s favorite. Called spicy, huge, long-lasting, “lips on fire” which I think refers to its 14% alcohol content.

Y. Simone Special Reserve Carmenere Maule Valley 2008

Very fruity, well made, nice finish; one person found it bland and dry though. A good expression of the grape.

Z. Cono Sur Carmenere Colchagua Valley 2008

Very assertive coffee flavor. Gregg’s alliterative adjective works best: zealous.

My ranking: E X G D VW Y H C S Z T A B F