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Chile's best kept secrets tasting - February 3, 2015

Posted on February 22, 2015

There are still so many misconceptions about the wines from Chile.  Most don’t even think about Chile when considering their wine purchases, and even when they do, it’s simply for the cheap stuff.  But what if I told you Chile’s starting to hit its stride?  What if I told you that you should forget about your association with Chile and Cabernet Sauvignon (or Merlot), and that grapes like Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Syrah are producing the country’s most exciting wines.  And what if I told you it’s getting easier to find organic, or biodynamic producers in the market.  And what if all those things were true, and that the value we all associate with Chile was still present.  Would you then consider a bottle of Chilean for your next bottle?

We had a great night here at the shop exploring what’s exciting in Chile - biodynamic wines under $20, new varieties aged in clay amphorae, and single vineyard wines from new appellations.  The wines showed well, and when the votes were counted, here were the winners: Gold - 2011 Montes Syrah “Folly;” Silver - 2012 Mayu Malbec Reserva; Bronze - 2011 Concha Y Toro Carmenere Peumo Vineyard Block 27 “Entre Cordilleras.”  My favourite?  The Ventolera Pinot - amazing for $30.  They grow 180 hectares of Pinot, and bottle on 20 hectares of their best stuff.  Awesome.  Thanks for all who came out, and made it a great night.

1.    2011 Matetic Sauvignon Blanc “Corralillo” (San Antonio) - $18.99
The 2011 Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc comes from biodynamically grown fruit, and from the 242, Davis 1 and 107 clones of Sauvignon Blanc. It has a fresh gooseberry and nettle bouquet with attractive lift and vigor. The palate is fresh and crisp with a spicy core of passion fruit, lime and grapefruit. It displays good length and composure. Drink now.

2.    2011 Ventolera Pinot Noir (Leyda Valley) - $31.99
The 2011 Ventolera Pinot Noir, their premier cru from red granite soils, displays lots of raspberries, earthy hints of truffles, a sinewy palate, velvety tannins, and great length. Drink now-2019.

3.    De Martino Cinsault “Viejas Tinajas” (Secano Interior/Coelemu) - $30.99
The 2011 Cinsault Viejas Tinajas (whole berries with no punching down or sulfur) has a lovely fresh nose of red currant jam, iodine and violets that is well defined, imbued with a sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp red currant and dark cherry entry with touches of fig and marmalade. Drink now.

4.    2012 Mayu Malbec Reserva (Elqui Valley) - $17.99
Stunning rose petal, violet, loganberry and white pepper aromas. Bright and savoury palate with succulent blackberries and an appetizing spiced game finish. Lush but not jammy, with exquisite purity. Delicious.

5.    2011 Concha Y Toro Carmenere Peumo Vineyard Block 27 “Entre Cordilleras” (Peumo) - $38.99
The 2011 Terrunyo Carmenere is from the Peumo appellation within the Cachapoal Valley.  It’s an ultra-dark, almost black-colored wine with a very showy nose of mint, raspberry leaves, creme de cassis, dark chocolate and a mineral, graphite, crushed rock feeling. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with glossy, saturated, grassy tannins with low-ish acidity. 9,000 cases of 12 bottles produced. A powerful, ripe Carmenere that should age well in bottle at a very good price for the quality. Drink now-2020.

6.    2011 Montes Syrah “Folly” (Apalta Valley) - $92.99
The 2011 Folly Syrah is pure Syrah from the upper slopes of the Montes vineyard in the Apalta Valley. It has a serious, somehow closed, backward nose, and it takes time to show the aromas of ripe plums, olives and raspberries as they are also covered by the notes of the wood, but the palate seems to have the stuffing to balance the wood tannins and improve in bottle. It’s quite full-bodied, with good freshness and focused varietal flavors. Give it some more time; this is a very good Syrah that requires some patience. Drink now-2020.

 

 

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