The Good Wine Guru » Carmenere

Folatre Carmenere Reserve 2007

George — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:00:11 +0000

Varietal: Carmenere
Region: Chile – Curico Valley
Cost: $8

Winemaker’s Notes: Dark garnet color or great intensity with an aroma of generous ripe red fruit and merged peppers with toasted French oak. A silky, flavorful mouth feel, creamy with great volume. Firm tannins provide an enjoyable finish. Best paired with light hors d’oeuvres and pastas.

My Review: My wife and I are always on the lookout for inexpensive wines that may not excite or inspire us, but are easy to sip on and are more interesting than cheap merlot or cabernet sauvignon from California, Australia, or New Zealand. Chile has become a favored region to get affordable wines that mix it up ever so much. When a friend recently brought over a bottle of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon that he had picked up and we enjoyed it we decided to pick some up at the store the next time we went. They were out of the Cab Sauv, but had a healthy supply of the Carmenere that we decided to give a try to.

On Sunday, while watching my 49ers lose to the Giants (frigging special teams!), we opened up the bottle of 2007 Folatre Carmenere Reserve. We had tried another bottle of it before, but there was something different about it this time. The wine is a nice deep red in the glass, and on the nose I got some fruit but a good amount of green peppers and brambles that I didn’t experience the first time we opened one of these bottles.

In the mouth I got more of the same that I got on the nose and a smoother finish than I remembered from my first try at the wine. Since we were watching football I had whipped up some buffalo chicken bites and while I wouldn’t call the pairing a revelation, it certainly wasn’t horrible.

I’m not going to sit here and say this is the best carmenere I’ve ever had – it’s not even the best one I’ve had in the last 6 months, but for an affordable wine you can do a lot worse and if nothing else it was a good bottle to drown my sorrows in while watching Kyle Williams give the game to the Giants.

Wines of Chile Blogger Tasting – Carmenere & Curry

George — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:00:49 +0000

This past Thursday I, along with some family and friends, got to engage in the most recent iteration of the Wines of Chile Virtual Blogger Tasting. The theme this time was Carmenere & Curry, and when I got the invite I was intrigued as I’ve enjoyed Carmenere since the first Blogger Tasting I was invited to and my wife and I have increasingly enjoyed curry and while we’ve never combined them I had read that they did pair well.

As usual, the kit included 8 bottles of wine along with a wealth of information both about the wines and the regions, along with some spices for making curry dishes and a USB thumb drive loaded with recipes and even more information about the winemakers and the vineyards. If there’s one thing I can continue to say about this tasting as that there’s no lack of information, something that I greatly appreciate. As for the wines.

2010 Emiliana Natura Carmenere ($17)

Our first wine of the night was a deep ruby in color and I got aromas of pepper, dark chocolate, pepper, and brambles. In the mouth the wine was dry with pepper, some cherry, and some of the bramble from the nose with a bit of a tart finish to it. This was my wife and my mother’s favorite wine of the night and didn’t last long after the formal part of the tasting was finished.

2008 Casa Silva Los Lingues Gran Reserva Carmenere ($22)

The second wine featured dark fruit and some of the same bramble from the first on the nose. In the mouth the wine was dry with bell pepper, bramble, and a touch of tobacco. I personally liked this wine better than the first even though they had some similar flavors.

2008 Santa Rita Medella Real Gran Reserva Carmenere ($20)

The third wine had a ton of dark fruit on the nose with some spice. I got some dark chocolate and plum on the nose, though not as much as some of the others tasting with me. In the mouth the wine displayed a subtle pepper with smooth chocolate and dark fruit. It was a stark departure from the first two wines with more fruit on less pepper than they featured.

2008 Montes Alpha Carmenere ($24)

Our fourth wine had a nose that I could only describe as musty at first, though after it opened up I did pick up some dark fruit and spice. In the mouth I got dark cherry with some dark chocolate and plum and a soft oak finish.

2009 Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenere ($17)

The fifth wine had spice and black fruit on the nose that struck me as juicy though a little bramble came out later as the wine opened up. On the palate the juiciness from the nose came up again with just a touch of pepper and some smokey fruit.

2009 Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Carmenere ($20)

The sixth wine had a nose of black fruit and spice with a hint of dried herbs. In the mouth the wine was smooth but with what I could only describe as a “footy’ finish, though others described it as a dark almond finish which sounds far better than how I phrased it.

2009 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere ($20)

Our next to last wine had black currant and a touch of chocolate nose. In the mouth it was medium dry with some pepper and cherry and a dark chocolate note on the finish. I wasn’t in love with this wine at first, but later in the evening after it had time to open up I found it more enjoyable.

2007 Haras de Pirque Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere ($13)

The only blend of the evening, the blend was: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon; 37$ Carmenere; 13% Cabernet Franc; 10% Syrah. On the nose I got earth with stone and flint and just a hint of dark fruit. In the mouth the wine featured pepper, tobacco, some fruit, and more of the earth and stone notes from the nose. It wasn’t a favorite of mine personally, though others that had let the wine open up more than myself did say it was the best value, and it was a bit more enjoyable to me later in the night when it had opened up a bit.

Wrap-Up

So, the usual question to these tastings is “which was your favorite”? If I was forced to pick one it would probably be the 2008 Casa Silva Los Lingues Gran Reserva Carmenere. That being said, I did enjoy the 2009 Concha y Toro later after it had some time to open up. As the theme of the tasting was Carmenere & Curry we (meaning my wife) made a point of making some curry to taste the food with. We made the beef curry dish that we had been sent a recipe for and while it wasn’t a perfect pairing with every one of the wines, it was tasty and did pair well with some of them, so you can count me as a believer in pairing Carmenere with curry.

This probably wasn’t my favorite of the Wine of Chile tastings I’ve done (the last one, Pinot Noir & Syrah, holds that title), though it also probably wasn’t my least favorite. I think I would have enjoyed the wines, the back four in particular, had I opened them all up well ahead of time to give them lots of time to breathe, something I plan to do for the next one.

As always I want to thank both the vineyards of Chile, the winemakers, and The Thomas Collective for putting on what is easily one of the most original and entertaining tastings that I get to participate in. I always look forward to these tastings as they are informative and and a great way to try new wines.

Chilensis Carmenere Reserva 2009

George — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:00:59 +0000

Varietal: 100% Carmenere
Region: Chile – Maule Valley
Cost: $10

Winemaker’s Notes: Deep in color with aromas of cherry, plum, vanilla, and green pepper that lead through to the mouth. Pairs well with fresh cheeses, meats, and pasta dishes.

My Review: In case you haven’t guessed by now, I’m a fan of Chilean wine. I think the vineyards and winemakers down there are doing great work coming up with great wines at an amazing cost to the consumer. While during the warmer months I usually turn to a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc for something to sip on, thanks to a wine tasting last year, I’m finding myself more and more drawn to Carmenere when I’m looking for a red. The flavors of green pepper and fruit are a great combination that’s unique from most any other grape I’ve tried and one I find I like quite a bit.

Because of both mine and my wife’s enjoyment for the wine, we try to keep a bottle of it on hand, and recently we had been keeping the Root:1 Carmenere in the house. However, on a recent trip the wine store, when we went to pick up a bottle of it, they were out. Not ones to be deterred from the wine we wanted, we decided to try another bottle of Carmenere, and grabbed the 2009 Chilensis Carmenere Reserva.

The wine itself is a deep red color with just a hint of violet running through it, the kind you really only notice when pouring and you get some bubbles on the edges of the glass. The aroma of cherry and green pepper were most noticeable to me, and carried through into the mouth, where the cherry lead the way and the green pepper finished out the wine with a nice, subtle finish.

Paired with a dinner of wheat penne in red sauce, it was a great compliment to the juiciness of the meal, adding a bit of dryness to it that was welcome, but not being so dry that you couldn’t enjoy the wine without the food. For the price, this is a great wine to keep around the house thanks to the versatility, but also because it’s different than the usual merlot/cabernet/syrah/shiraz wines you find as table wines (not that I’m demeaning those).

If you can’t find this wine at your local wine store, you can follow this link and have it shipped to you, and if you haven’t tried Carmenere before, this is a great one to get you started.

Spotlight on a Varietal: Carmenere

George — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:00:15 +0000

A member of the Cabernet family of grapes, Carmenere is a grape originally planted in the Medoc region of Bordeaux. The name originates from the French word for crimson (carmin). Carmenere, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, is considered part of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux, France.

History

Carmenere is one of the most ancient European varieties, and is thought to be the antecedent of better known varieties. While Carmenere can trace origins to the Medoc region of Bordeaux, it is almost impossible to find the grape in France today as a Phylloxera plague in 1867 nearly destroyed all the vineyards in Europe, and the Carmenere grape in particular. The extent of the damage was so great that for a time Carmenere was thought to be extinct.

Far from being extinct, the grape has thrived in several areas outside of France, most notably Chile, where growers preserved the grape for 150 years almost by mistake, thinking it to be Merlot. It wasn’t until 1998 that the Chilean Department of Agriculture recognized Carmenere as a distinct variety.

Carmenere Grapes

Carmenere favors a longer growing season in moderate to warm climates. High levels of rain or irrigation water during harvest time and the winter period can be detrimental to the vines, particularly in poor-soil plantings. Over-watering during these periods accentuates the herbaceous and green pepper characteristics of the grape.

Carmenere grapes naturally develop high levels of sugar before tannic ripeness is achieved. If grown in a climate that is too hot, the resulting wine will have a higher alcohol content and low balance. Carmenere buds and flowers three to seven days later than Merlot and the yield is lower. Carmenere leaves turn to crimson before dropping.

Carmenere is produced in wineries as either a single-variety wine, or as blend, usually with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and/or Merlot.

While Carmenere and Merlot are similar, and may in fact be genetically related, there are some differences to help pick them apart. When young, Carmenere leaves have a reddish hue underneath, while Merlot leaves are white underneath. Merlot ripens two to three weeks earlier than Carmenere.

Regions

While originating in France, only a few hundred acres of Carmenere officlally exist in the country now. Chile and Italy both produce the grape, with Eastern Washington State’s Walla Walla Valley and California also growing the grape. Australia and New Zealand also grow Carmenere, though in much smaller qualities.

Carmenere Wine

Carmenere is often blended with other grapes, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. When offered as a single variety, the wines offer softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon and cherry-like flavors, smoky notes, spicy earth flavors, dark chocolate, tobacco, leather, and green pepper flavors.

Wines of Chile: Blended Reds Blogger Tasting

George — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:00:24 +0000

This past Wednesday I once again was lucky enough to participate in the Wines of Chile Virtual Blogger Tasting. For anybody that hasn’t seen me write about this before, Wines of Chile allows bloggers such as myself the opportunity to sample several bottles of Chilean wine and interact with the wine makers. It’s definitely one of the highlights of being a wine writer for me.

This particular tasting was of blended red wines, and I have to say that once I got the tasting kit I quickly wanted the 13th of October to arrive so I could open up the bottles. Given that they send us 8 bottles of wine, I invited several friends and family members over to participate in the tasting with me. So, here’s what we thought about the wines.

2005 Valdivieso Eclat

A blend of 56% Carignan, 24% Mourvedre, and 20% Syrah with a SRP of $27. Garnet in color with hints of purple in the color, red fruit on the nose with a flavor of tart berry on the palate with a noticeable tannic finish. Overall it wasn’t a bad way to start the tasting, but it wasn’t my favorite of the evening.

2006 De Martino Single Vineyard Old Bush Vines “Las Cruces”

A blend of 66% Malbec and 34% Carmenere with a SRP of $45. Dark red in color with aromas of dark chocolate and concord grapes. Flavors of fruit and bell pepper, prominent flavors in both Malbec and Carmenere, seemed to be fighting each other with neither one being able to win. While I didn’t dislike the wine, I don’t know that I could justify paying $45 for it.

2008 Estampa Gold Assemblage Carmenere

A blend of 57% Carmenere, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot with a SRP of $22. Dark, ruby red colors with aromas of pepper, tobacco, smoke, red fruit, and herbs. The flavor of bell pepper from the Carmenere really came through with the Petit Verdot smoothing out the finish. As I enjoy Carmenere by itself this wine was successful to me.

2008 Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenere

A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Carmenere with a SRP of $15. Garnet color with aromas of bell pepper and eucalyptus. Flavors of Bell pepper and what I could only call dish rag made me hesitant on this one. It wasn’t my least favorite, but it wasn’t my favorite either, though I will say some time in the decanter helped mellow out the dish rag flavors.

2006 Maquis Lien

A blend of 42% Syrah, 30% Carmenere, 12% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot, and 7% Malbec with a SRP of $19. Medium-dark red in color with aromas of ripe black fruit, berry, spice, and a hint of bell pepper. Flavors of bell pepper, black pepper, and crushed fruit with a nice smooth finish made this one both enjoyable, and a great value for the price.

2008 Hacienda Araucano Clos de Lolol

A blend of 31% Syrah, 29% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 17% Carmenere with a SRP of $23. Medium-dark red in color with aromas of licorice, tobacco leaf, blackberry, black cherry, and spices. Flavors of raspberry with a smooth tannic finish that made this one of my favorites on the evening and another great value.

2007 Emiliana Coyam

A blend of 38% Syrah, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Carmenere, 17% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Mourvedre with a SRP of $29. An intense dark red color with aromas of dark fruit and earth with which lead into an earthy, dry palate with crushed berry flavors with a bit of oak on it as well. This was probably my favorite of the evening and one I would definitely pick up in the store.

2007 Casas del Bosque Gran Estate Selection Private Reserve

A blend of 61% Syrah, 26% Merlot, 13% Pinot Noir with a SRP of $50. Deep red in color, perhaps the deepest of the night, with aromas of currant, anise, berry, and lavender. Earthy flavors with flavors of black cherry, leather, and what I could only call Robitussin (though not in a bad way). This was easily the wine I was most looking forward to opening once I got the kit, and while I have a hard time spending $50 on any bottle of wine, this bottle was definitely far more worth the cost than the De Martino.

All in all I had a great time doing another Wines of Chile Blogger Tasting, and I look forward to doing more in the future. It was nice to try some other varietals from Chile, though I do think I like Carmenere either all by itself, or as a much smaller percentage of a blend – the bell pepper flavors tend to conflict with others to me.

I want to thank Wines of Chile for including me in this tasting, and thank my friends and family for coming over and helping me enjoy all the wine.

Carma Colchagua Valley Estate Carmenere 2007

George — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:00:45 +0000

Varietal: Carmenere
Region: Chile
Cost: $19.50

Deep purple in color with aromas of fresh raspberries, mulberries, cherry, herb, and roasted coffee beans. Fruit, spice, and dark chocolate on the palate. Pairs well with steak, chicken, veal, duck, lamb, lighter food, or by itself.

Recommendations: I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been on a bit of Carmenere kick ever since I participated in a blogger tasting for Wines of Chile back in November that featured a lot of Carmenere, so I was rather happy when the International Wine of the Month Club sent me a bottle of Carmenere that I had yet to try. It’s all about expanding horizons.

I picked up some notes of raspberry and cherry on the nose, and I certainly got some spice in the mouth, but I was surprised by how much more mellow this wine was than what I was expecting. Carmenere I’ve had in the past had a distinct bell pepper finish that I found quite enjoyable, and while it started to come through a bit more towards the end of the bottle, after it’d had even more time to open up than I initially gave it, this Carmenere doesn’t feature that in your face flavor that I was expecting.

Now, just because the wine wasn’t what I was expecting, doesn’t mean it wasn’t good – the more subtle, medium-bodied flavors made this wine ideal for just sipping by itself without the need to pair it with something as I’ve felt compelled with other Carmenere.

If you’re new to Carmenere, or you’re not a big fan of the bell pepper flavor, this is probably the Carmenere for you. It’s great by itself, and the subtle flavors will allow it to pair with a range of foods. Definitely a good value buy and one I would certainly recommend for any fan of Chilean wines.

Root:1 Carmenere 2007

George — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:00:49 +0000

Varietal: Carmenere (75% Carmenere; 15% Cabernet Sauvignon; 10% Syrah)
Region: Chile
Cost: $13

Deep red in color with gentle and silky tannins and rich flavors of ripe plum, blackberry, vanilla and spice. Pair with pasta, grilled meats, spicy entrees, eggplant, or bell peppers.

Recommendations: I’ve been a fan of Root:1 wines for a while, regularly keeping their Sauvignon Blanc on hand. While restocking our wine cellar after the rampant snow we’ve had here in Virginia, my wife and I found a bottle of Carmenere from Root:1 and were quick to grab it.

Paired with a dinner of baked herb chicken and garlic green beans, we were soon ignoring the meal to focus on the wine. Beautifully dark red with aromas of berry and green bell peppers, the spice and bell pepper on the palate are amazing, and reminded me of the Viu Manent Carmenere that I enjoyed during the Wines of Chile Blogger tasting, though the flavors of bell pepper were much more mellow – which was not a bad thing.

The best part of the wine was that the more it was allowed to open up, the better the flavors of bell pepper became, easily masking the high alcohol content (14%), something that I appreciated. If you’ve never had Carmenere before I highly recommend that you try it, and the Root:1 is a great place to start.

Not only do I recommend this wine, but I expect to be picking up more of it very soon.

2007 Viu Manent Carmenere

George — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:56 +0000

Varietal: Carmenere
Region: Chile
Cost: $14

Deep ruby red in color with black cherry, plum, and sweet herbs. Mocha, dates, dark chocolate, leather on the palate with rounded tannins. Pair with lamb chops, green peppers.

Recommendations: About three weeks ago I participated in an online blogger tasting hosted by Wines of Chile. They sent us eight bottles to sample during while giving us access to the representatives from each vineyard via webcams and a live chat forum.

My wife and I sampled all of the wines, and while there certainly wasn’t a single one we didn’t enjoy, the Viu Manent was far and away our favorite. A lot of pepper on the nose, and by pepper I mean green pepper, where different, but enjoyable, and went well with the leather and rounded tannins on the palate, especially as the wine had time to open up.

While we didn’t really pair it with anything beyond something to much on (cheese and crackers), the thought of pairing this with lamb chops or stuffed green peppers is enticing enough to make me want to try my hand at making them.

Whether you’re already a fan of Carmenere or are just getting into it, I would highly recommend the Viu Manent, especially at this price point. It’s a great wine with a great nose and lots of great flavors.

Whole Foods Market Offering Summer Wine Deals

George — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:53:32 +0000

With summer upon us, Whole Foods Market is rolling out a selection of wines for summer that are priced to make their way into your home for parties, cookouts, or just for a night with a special someone. Starting at just $9, these whites and reds should be a welcome addition to any home.

Whites

Presto Prosecco - Brighten up your summer brunch with the fruity effervescence of this popular Italian Sparkler. Crisp, clean and refreshing with flavors of tropical fruit, it’s content on its own, in mimosas or as a cheerful contrast to hollandaise-topped egg dishes, stone- and tree-fruit salads, light fish or the rich and buttery Fromager D’Affinois.

Rudolf Müller “Bunny” Riesling - Floral, fruity and flirtatious with crisp peach, pear and light acidity, this drier-style Riesling is a splendid apéritif and the perfect match with lighter seafood and salads, Asian spiced cuisine or firmer cheeses such as Hirtenkase Aged.

Biokult Grüner Veltliner - Austria’s “Gru-Vee” White is a groovy delight with a light zesty flavor and hints of cracked pepper and prairie grass. Clean acidity and a soft seductive finish make this an enchanting apéritif or versatile sidekick for spicy dishes, grilled seafood, burgers, pizza or Whole Foods Market® organic fresh goat cheese. Made with Organically Grown Grapes.

Vinum Chenin Blanc / Viognier - A marvelous medley of pear, melon and grapefruit, just one glass is like a bouquet of blooming summer citrus. A supple texture and snappy finish make this absolutely yummy with brunch, shellfish, sun-dried tomatoes, or thin-crust pizzettas made with fresh Cana de Cabra or Whole Foods Market® organic fresh goat cheese.

V-solo Verdejo - With its zesty acidity and fruity disposition this vivacious Spanish sipper is a welcome guest to any occasion. Floral aromas and hints of gooseberry, lime and citrus will dazzle the palate. Plays well alone or with others—especially seafood, shellfish or nutty, slightly sharp Robusto cheese.

Manifesto! Sauvignon Blanc - The ideal sip for a sunny picnic, this frisky White coats your palate with ripe lemon, gooseberry, grapefruit and orange peel. A smooth texture and food-friendly acidity makes it a harmonious companion for grilled foods, seafood or oysters.

Bonterra Rosé - This melodious blend of Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Grenache is full of ripe summer berries. Unexpected richness, a touch of spice and juicy acidity makes this a wonderful accompaniment for al fresco anything! A singular chilled sensation or perfect match for grilled foods, salmon or Spanish Cana de Cabra goat cheese. Made with Organically Grown Grapes.

Reds

Escudo Rojo - Enhance warm weather fare with some Chilean flare! This compelling mélange of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère, exudes rich spice, toast and black cherry aromas and is smooth on the palate. Captivating with grilled meats, barbecue or hamburgers.

Pirovano il Rosso di Enzo - For a long, hot and lusty summer, add a juicy Italian to your menu. This evocative Red is highly attracted to grilled food, pizza, burgers and medium-aged cheeses such as Taleggio and Kilaree Irish Cheddar.

Rutherford Hill Merlot - Dark cherries, luscious chocolate and a silky finish make this “king of Merlots” ideal for summer romance. Balanced with hints of vanilla, cinnamon and tobacco, this seductive Red is alluring one-on-one or with hearty meats such as grilled steak, burgers or mature Seaside Cheddar.

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet - An outstanding value, this commemorative release is the life of any patio party, backyard bash or beachfront fête! Succulent ripe blueberry, dark cherry and black currant coupled with chocolate and olive flavors presents a beguiling complexity and sleek finish. Superb with beef, lamb and chicken or rich GranQueso cheese.

Castello di Gabbiano Chianti - This classic Red giant unfolds into a lush bouquet of ripe red fruits. Made in the Tuscan tradition, it is a dry, well-balanced and full-bodied Sangiovese that adores hot and hearty summer cuisine including grilled beef, barbecue or pizza.

In addition to this selection of wines, Whole Foods market has selected several cheeses that are perfect for pairing with these wines while sitting on a porch, deck, patio, or dinner table.

Aged Hirtenkase - This versatile and full-flavored hard cheese is made from the milk of cows that graze on rich Alpine grasses. Aged for one year, it fuses the best of Swiss and Parmesan style cheeses. Grate a hunk into risotto or over salads and soup and surrender your taste buds.

Fromager D’Affinois - Hello creamy goodness! From the French Rhône-Alpes, this soft-ripened cousin to Brie is luscious, buttery and just waiting to be taken advantage of. Savor solo or with ripe berries and other summer fruits.

GranQueso - From farm-fresh cow’s milk, this Wisconsin original is lovingly cured for six to nine months and hand-rubbed with delectable spices. Deep and complex with a balanced sweet finish, it’s the star of any cheeseboard, and coveted companion to salads, soups, pastas and sandwiches.

Robusto - A Dutch cheese with an Italian spirit, Robusto is softer, yet reminiscent of, aged, nutty Parmesan. Friendly and versatile, cube it into salads, melt it on pasta or roasted vegetables, or just savor a slice on its own.

Seaside Cheddar - This rugged mature cheddar’s unusual sweet taste and crunchy texture comes from cows that graze on southern England’s coastal grasses. Crystallized calcium gives it a crunch. Tantalizing by itself or on burgers, grilled chicken pasta or a rambunctious grilled cheese and grilled beef sandwich.

Visit your local Whole Foods Market to check out their summer wine and cheese selection. It’s a great way to enjoy wine the entire summer.

2006 Carmen Reserve Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon

George — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Varietal:  Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon
Region:  Chile
Cost:  $21

Numerous aromas accompany this wine, with berry spice and earthy notes leading the way, but moving into blackberry and coffee after the wine has been allowed to breath for a while. Flavors of blackberry and a smoke compliment the fruits, only to be finished with a tannins that border on a peppery finish. Will pair well with everything from veal to duck and on to hearty red sauces.

Recommendations: I really liked this wine. I mean I REALLY liked this wine. South America has been producing some amazing wines, and this one is no exception. It flirts on the line between medium-bodied and full-bodied, but never crosses over into either. The tannins on the finish gave it an almost peppery finish that almost reminded me of Cabernet Franc, but also a good Bordeaux. The longer I let the bottle sit, the better the wine got, and I would recommend that anybody that tries this at least let the bottle sit for 10 to 15 minutes, though decanting would probably be the best. This wine will compliment any upscale dinner party you’re hosting, but the price won’t make you cringe every time you pour some out. A great blending of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere have created an excellent wine. This is a must buy.

Special thanks to the International Wine of the Month Club for supplying the wine.