I previously posted about the environment friendly Cono Sur Vineyard and Winery that produces this wine. Their top wines are Premium Pinot Noirs. I’ve heard positive things about the Pinot Noirs from Chile and with this maker having a big emphasis on green, I was eager to explore their offerings. At less than $10, the Cono Sur 2007 Pinot Noir is a value when compared to their Premium offerings and seemed like a good place for me to start tasting. Kudos to Cono Sur for using a colorful screw cap as well.
Aroma
The nose of this wine definitely has the smell of the earth. It has a damp soil aspect to it. I also can detect a little of that barnyard odor, but not too strong. There is also a tiny bit of cracked pepper in it. What it doesn’t have is a lot of fruit or floral components on the nose. There is probably some dark fruit in there, but I am having a hard time detecting it. Overall it is an interesting smelling wine but subtle with limited fruit.
Flavor
On my palate, the first thing I notice is it is medium bodied. It has some tannins, but not a lot and thus is not that bitter. The tannins are balanced by some sweet fruit. On the finish, I can taste a little of the spices. The black pepper is there a little. It is really a nice transition. This wine is well balanced and very smooth. The acid level is not that high. The flavors of fruit that I detect are dark fruits. Flavors such as blackcurrant and cherries are present. There is a very slight sour component too.
Rating
Overall I believe this wine is very easy to drink and will work well on it’s own. I’d pair it with mild flavored dishes such as chicken and pork. It is ready to drink now. Although, I don’t think this is going to be my favorite wine, it is a very solid wine for the price and one of the better pinot noirs I’ve tried. I recommend it and rate it at 89 points.
Have you tried it? Leave a comment with your impressions below. I’d love to hear them.
