In conjunction with TED2016, held here in Vancouver, the Wines of Chile participated by bringing some wines for us to try. These wines though represent sustainable initiatives taken by these wineries. In Chile there is a sustainability code that a winery can be certified for through a 3-tier qualification process. While not all Chilean wineries are sustainable, the goal is for Chile to be the number one producer of sustainable and diverse premium wines by 2025. Below are a few wines that I tasted that I quite enjoyed, and I would recommend that you pick up at your local government liquor store, or private wine shop.
Recommended Chilean Wines
-
Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2013 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2013, Chile ($17.49) – Ripe lemon, melon and apple aromas in the glass. This wine is full bodied, dry with a round mouth feel. Flavours of very ripe pears and pineapples to start with apples and spice entering mid palate. Nice integrated oak. Mouth watering acidity on the finish. Rating:
- Montes Outer Limits Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Chile ($24.99) – Lots of green aromas and jalapeno pepper in the glass. Dry with high acidity. Starts with green beans and adds jalapeno pepper mid palate. Also has some spiciness to it. Rating:
- Vina Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Chile ($19.79) – Carmen’s Gran Reserva tier of wines are all from single vineyards. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come from the Alto Maipo Valley. The wine has a ripe cassis together with some smoky meat aromas. Fuller bodied, dry, with ripe cassis, purple fruit and red cherry flavours. Mineral streak. Medium acidity and some pepperiness on the finish. Bright fruit flavours. When you taste this wine you get layers of flavours. Complex. Rating:
-
Wine maker Sebastian Labbe from Vina Carmen holding a bottle of his Cabernet Sauvignon Vina Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenere 2013, Chile ($19.79) – Carmenere is Chile’s signature red grape, and this one really is delicious. Chocolate,capsicum, coffee and dark fruit on the nose. Fuller bodied, dry with medium plus acidity. Semi-round mouth feel. Red and black fruits with some spiciness on the finish. Rating:
- Casa Silva Microterroir de Los Lingues Carmenere 2008, Chile ($55) – This wine had a very interesting nose, which I take is due in part to the microterroir for this wine. I get a mixture of dark fruit, capsicum and lead pencils on the nose. Dry, medium plus body, some roundness on the palate. Mineral. Flavours of red cherries, ripe cassis, capsicum, and spice, with a light touch of vanilla and oak. The wine is already 6 years old, and shows no sign of aging. Probably can keep this wine for another 4-5 years without any problem. Rating:
- Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founders Reserve 2012, Chile ($79.99) – This is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Carmenere, 8% Petit Verdot and the rest Malbec. A top class wine, this one has ripe, dark fruit and chocolate on the nose. Full bodied, dry, and round with medium intensity, fine tannins. Vibrant purple fruit and cassis flavours. Minerality and chocolate as well. This wine was very interesting to me as it had a lot of energy, almost as if it was vibrating with flavour. Rating:
- Vina Ventisquero Pangea 2011, Chile ($58) – Pangea is made from 100% Syrah from the Colchagua Valley. The wine was made in association with John Duval, the wine maker from Penfolds between 1986 and 2002. If anyone knows how to make with from Syrah grapes, it’s John Duval. This wine has a light intensity nose with ripe cassis aromas. It is round and soft in the mouth with very interesting flavours of black pepper, minerality, and chalkiness, together with fruit flavours of cassis and apples. The tannins and pepperiness pick up on the finish. Rating:
Learn More About Chilean Wine
I have always enjoyed Chilean wines, and I try to let everyone know about the great value in their wines. Below are a few other articles I have written before about Chilean wines. Have a peek and discover more about Chilean wine.
