The Viña Anakena is another Chilean vineyard and winery that I’ve discovered recently. The vineyard’s name comes from the Chilean legend of the birdman which explains that the Easter Island seagull, or Manu Tara, hid its precious egg in a secret hideaway, or Anakena. Similar to Cono Sur, Anakena has a strong commitment to the environment. Anakena has a large selection of varietals and today I am tasting their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. It is labeled with the Condor Petroglyph and comes with a artificial cork (a good thing). This wine is 100% cabernet sauvignon and is not aged in oak barrels.
Aroma
Surprisingly the first thing I smelled was barnyard, but it isn’t overpowering. It is purely the terroir coming through with the damp soil smells. The nose also exhibits the aromas of dark fruits. But what is really the highlight and excites me the most about this wine is the presence of spices. I can detect pepper and a hint of burnt rubber.
Flavor
This is a full bodied wine with wonderful spices. It starts off with some sweet ripe fruit flavors at the start and finishes with black pepper flavors that linger. It is smooth, but not silky or velvety. It lasts a long time and doesn’t strike me as having much tannin. For my palate the fruit is a little muted, but I detect some blackberries, black currant, and perhaps even a hint of blueberry. The finish of this wine is one of the best I have had in a long time. I love the spicy finish and it even has a bit of sour cherry in it. Wonderful!
I’d pair this wine with grilled red meats, very strong cheese, or dark chocolate. It is screaming for a nice steak.
Rating
This is a good cabernet sauvignon. I have had some better ones with more texture (velvet, silky) and more complexity. However, I haven’t come across one under $10. And this Anakena is definitely a strong value. I am going to score this wine at 90 points and recommend it.
Have you tried it? I’d love to hear your thoughts, please leave a comment with your impressions below.
