Today I am tasting the 2007 Barrel Select Carmenere Reserve from Santa Ema in Chile. I found this 100% Carmenere for under $11. It is aged for 8 months in oak. The Barrel Select line from Santa Ema is supposed to represent their best from Peumo in the Cachapoal Valley.
Color
The color is almost black with dark purple at the edges of the glass. Beautiful and promising.
Aroma
There is some black currant and oak on the nose. Too much oak overall.
Flavor
Sweet fruit on the attack including black currant and black cherry. The dark fruit is present throughout. There is a hint of mint in the mid-palate and some black pepper on the finish. I also get some sour cherry on the finish. Overall this is a big wine that coats the palate and will pair well with strong flavored foods. I wonder if this mint is from Eucalyptus, but don’t know the local conditions around the vineyard. Anyone ever visited it?
Rating
I like this wine. The one flaw is it is quite simple. I rate it 89 points.
