Carmenere wine: Solario Carmenere Reserve 2004, Maipo Valley.

September 18, 2007 at 3:20 am · Filed under Maipo Valley, Carmenere wine Chile

A few weeks ago I drank a couple $6 Carmenere bottles that weren’t all that bad for the price. During the Carmenere wine Chile Solario wine 25% sale at Astor Wines I picked up a couple more from a producer named Solario. It is not unusual that Astor carries wines that you won’t find anywhere else. They will simply stock each varietal from that producer as if they got a huge deal on a bulk sale from the winery. Since finding info on the web about these wines are impossible, you kind of have to trust that the buyers there aren’t buying crap. Solario produces Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and this Carmenere in Chile. Since Chile is on the map for its Merlot and Carmenere, I assumed this one would be better that the random bottles I drank before.

Dark opaque purple color. Intense aromas of dark berries and peppercorn. Full flavor with some toast from the aging I assume. Blackberry is most recognizable characteristic. Finishes quick yet balanced with some peppery spice. Not bad at all. I must say that this is the second of the two I tried. The first bottle tasted flat and its tannins weren’t integrated well. This one tasted remarkably better. I might be inclined to pick up another at the sale price.

view and send comments

Carmenere wine: Santa Alicia Carmenere Reserve 2003 Chile, Maipo Valley.

September 10, 2007 at 4:21 am · Filed under Maipo Valley, Carmenere wine Chile

This wine had one of those labels I instinctively pass over at the store. Since I knew what I was looking for Carmenere winethis time, the only thing that mattered was the varietal. It’s abeled as a reserve 2003 from the Maipo Valley, Chile. Slightly darker than the other Carmenere, this one had aromas of leather and tobacco with a little plum. This wine tasted fatter with more ripe fruit flavors of plum and raison. Noticeably more tannic with a longer finish of spice and some heat. Might be better with another year of aging. Once again not bad for the price.

I cannot deny that the price of these wines have influence on the ratings. With appropriate food pairings, I think the average wine drinker would enjoy these as dinner wines. I’ll pick up a couple to have on standby for a good stewed meat dish.

view and send comments

Pinot Noir Chilean wine. William Fevre vineyard, La Mision varietal 2006.

June 25, 2007 at 2:23 am · Filed under Maipo Valley, Chilean red wines, Pinot Noir wine Chile

William Fevre presentation:
“Always a challenge, this Pinot Noir is the only one produced in Maipo Alto and astonishes with its delicateness and elegance. Vinified through a manual for optimum extraction of aromas and colour, this wine unveils the surprising grace of raspberries, strauberries and cherries dancing in unison on the nose. Together with the fresh and balanced palate, these create and original wine to enjoy.

SurVino:

view and send comments

Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot, Santa Ema Vineyard, Barrel Select 2004. Maipo Valley

May 29, 2007 at 7:37 am · Filed under Rapel Valley, Maipo Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon wine Chile, Merlot wine Chile, Red blended wines Chile

Santa Ema Vineyard Presentation:
CHARACTERISTICS

Color : Ruby Red.
Aroma : Complex and deep; You can feel soft notes of plum, blackberry and some vanilla mixed with a pleasant toasty taste in your nose.
Flavors: Delicious, elegant with mature tannis, good structure and persistent final.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Varietal composition : 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot.
Region : Maipo and Rapel Valley.
Vinification : This Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were elaborated from selected grapes of our vineyards located in the Maipo and Rapel Valleys where the grape was specially harvested by hand and fermented in stainless steel tanks at 28° with selected yeast.
Oak Maturation : 5 months in american oak barrel and at least 8 months bottled before release.

SurVino:

view and send comments

Cabernet Franc Wine, Chocalan Vineyard, 2004 Vintage. Maipo Valley.

May 21, 2007 at 10:15 am · Filed under Chilean appellations, Maipo Valley, Chilean red wines, Cabernet Franc wine Chile

Chocalan Vineyard Presentation :
Intense, with a dark red colour and a strong aromatic nature. It is characterized by a highly concentrated flavour of berries (blackcurrants and blackberries). In the nose firstly notes of tea can be appreciated followed by plums, chocolate and cinammon, with a touch of mint at the finish. On the palate it is flexible, rich and complete “even silky” completely maintaining its freshness. It is infused with an aroma of mature fruits, and counts on a long and well balanced finish.

view and send comments