Have you overspent for the Holidays? You can still enjoy a glass of wine with cheese as you watch the World Junior Hockey game, a Hallmark movie, or whatever you like, but maybe a bit more frugally. I have two value-priced wines ($12.99 each) from Chile to close out 2022 and both are available through BC Liquor stores. The Cono Sur Bicicleta Reserva Merlot 2020 has 15% other red grapes in the blend and has no oak ageing. The 8 Rios Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is made by the Vina Undurraga winery. 8 Rios stands for the 8 major rivers (rios) that cross Chile.
Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery and Vina Undurraga will be at the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2023. Give these wines a try and see the wineries at the Festival.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Cono Sur Bicicleta Reserva Merlot 2020 (BC $12.99)
Appearance: A deep, clear garnet colour.
Nose: Light aromas of black fruit and plums, and touches of toast, oak, and smokiness. A bit stronger aromas with decanting, showing sweet dark berries, light toast and smokiness.
Palate: Dry, fuller body, round with a velvety smooth mouthfeel. Medium-plus flavour intensity. A mix of cassis, red cherries, and plum fruit flavours plus a touch of oak. Soft tannins. A bit off-dry with decanting. Still fuller bodied and velvety smooth. Add juicy berries, floral and cinnamon flavours.
Finish: Medium length finishing with juicy berries and red cherries, plus a touch of oak. Medium-intensity drying tannins on the finish. A touch peppery with decanting, and lightly off-dry finish.
This wine has a lovely thicker silky mouthfeel. The wine has a bit nicer flavours with decanting.
Rating: 
A deeper garnet colour. Light aromas of black fruit, plums, and touches of toast, oak and smokiness. Sweet dark berries with decanting. Dry, fuller body, round and velvety smooth. Cassis, plums and red cherry flavours, plus a touch of oak. Soft tannins. Medium length.
8 Rios Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (BC $12.99)
Appearance: A medium-intensity dull ruby colour.
Nose: Medium-intensity aromas of cassis, black fruit, smokiness and oak. Berry fruit flavours, plus toast added with decanting.
Palate: Slightly off-dry, medium body, very smooth and soft with a round mouthfeel. Juicy blackberries, black fruit, black pepper and some smokiness. Medium acidity and light fine tannins. No change to the flavours with decanting.
Finish: Medium length finishing with black fruit and a touch of black pepper. More acidity than tannins on the finish. Juicy blackberries are noticeable with decanting.
A straightforward wine to enjoy. No need to decant. This wine’s off-dry flavour and soft tannins went well with bbq ribs I had for dinner. The sweetness of the bbq sauce matched up with the wine.
Rating: 
A medium ruby colour. Medium-intensity aromas of cassis and black fruits, plus smokiness and toasty oak. Slightly off-dry. A very smooth and soft with a round mouthfeel. Light tannins. Juicy blackberries and dark fruit flavours, along with touches of smoke and black pepper. Medium length.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
BC Liquor Stores sells both of these wines. The 8 Rios wines are BCL Select, meaning you can only buy this wine at BC Liquor stores.
The Cono Sur Merlot is also available at select Everything Wine stores.
