PalateMatch

Today I am tasting the 2008 Reserva Carmenere by Viu Manent from the Colchagua Vally in Chile. This wine is made of 100% Camenere varietal and is aged in oak for 11 months.

Color

Good rich dark purple in the glass.

Aroma

Plenty of blackberry and black currant on the nose. There is also some mint and oak too. But the fruit is really good.

Flavor

Sweet black plum on the attack. Followed up by some sweet cherries on the mid-palate. The finish is both interesting and awkward. Most of the fruit disappears and it becomes very dry. The tannins are good but the oak is a bit too much. There is a hint of blackberry on the attack and mid-palate. The alcohol at 14.5% shows through at the finish. A little time in the cellar and decanting will improve this wine. The awkward finish makes this a little tough on its own, but it will pair really well with beef tenderloin.

Rating

If you can find this wine for under $10, I recommend trying it. Above that price and I’d look for a Carmenere with more body and less alcohol. I rate this wine 86 points.

Have you tried it? What notes did you get?

Today I am tasting the 2007 Single Vineyard Carmenere from Vina Anakena in the Rapel Valley of Chile. I’ve previously tasted the regular 2007 Anakena Carmenere. I appreciate Anakena’s commitment to the environment and the culture of Chile. They even feature the Condor Petroglyph on the label. Their Single Vineyard series emphasizes the terroir and this is a 100% Carmenere varietal which has been aged in oak for 6 months. I found this bottle for under $10.

Color

In the glass it is a dark purple, but a bit thin around the edges.

Aroma

A little mint on the nose at first followed by wet soil. There is some dark fruit present including black currant and prunes. The earthy, rotten wood component is very strong though. This is definitely not a fake nose.

Flavor

Great dark fruit on the attack. There are delicious black currant and mulberry components. The mid-palate shows black cherry and blackberry. On the finish there is some spice. Black pepper combined with a little heat from the alcohol. The finish is very long and pleasant. Overall this is a wine with tons of fruit. But unlike a lot of lesser wines, it isn’t high in sugar and the oak is not even noticeable. It will pair well with smoked meats, beef, and strong cheese. I believe it will be good with some dark chocolate as well.

Rating

For the price, this is a very good wine. Although the nose might put off some, I recommend you try it just for the flavor in the mouth. I rate it 92 points.

Have you tried any of the Single Vineyard line of wines from Anakena?

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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.