First notice this grape from a blend of Casa Lapostelle, Clos Apalta 1999 Which was very good. Yesterday was having dinner and saw the above by the glass as I was alone. Ordered it and found it to be very good with licorice, plums and cherries not overtly dry and good sweetish finish which is characteristic of some of the Chilean wine I had been tasting. IMO, went very well with the tenderloin I was having topped with foie grais.

Can anyone share more information on this grape variety perhaps TNs ? Did a search on the wine rating and the forum but did not get alot of info.

Thanks and Cheers
LRnW

LRNW,

I had the following wines: Calina Carmenere (made by Kendall Jackson), both 1999 and 2000 and Santa Laura Carmenere 2000. I think I posted TNs on the Calina 1999.
However, both Calinas are very good wines, much better than their WS scores of 84 and 85, respectively. I would give them a 88 to 90, with the 2000 being a touch better. The flavor profile was very Cabernet like, with a very deep and concentrated currant and black berry palate. These wines are good QPR at €15.
The Santa Laura which got 87 pts from JM on the other hand was a tannic beast with hardly any fruit.

Hope this helps.

Phyloxerra

Hi, did see your notes on the Calina which is part of the reason I opted to try it. So far from what I have gathered it is tasty but inconsistent variety but when you do find a good year or winery(like everything else) it is good QPR. But due to the paucity of info on this variety it begs questions like which is a good year and who are the more consistent wineries/names ?

Thanks for your reply anyways.

Cheers,
LRnW

LRNW,

both 1999 and 2000 should be two outstanding vintages in Chile generally speaking (Try to avoid 1998). Most consistent producers would be Concha y Toro, Casa Lapostolle, Errazuriz (sp?), and Montes. Unfortunately I don't know any single varietal Carmeneres of these producers. But if you find some, they would be sure bets.

Phylloxera

You are right on the labels, I have tasted all of them except the Montes both Blends, Merlots and Cab Sav. They are good and good QPR to booth. But unable to find decent Carmenere only wine but for last night.

Will let you know when I find some and hope you do like wise.

Cheers
LRnW

LRNW: Had the 2000 Calina Carmenere, and raved about it in a posting a little ways back. Haven't had the 1999 Calina, nor the Santa Ema 2000, but I will keep my eyes out for both. The 2000 Calina is well worth the price and certainly in the 88-89 range. If there is bottle variation, I suspect the taste will still be pleasing anyway.

Later,
Mark, N.H.

I took the 2000 Calina to a gathering this weekend where I knew there would not be many wine drinkers, but got such a good price and recommendation from the wine shop owner, I thought it would do... This is the first carmenere I have tried and I WILL buy more. With the case discount (mixed case) it was $6. Can't beat that!

LRNW,

Veramonte makes a Carmenere/Merlot called Primus. I have tasted this twice. Initialy I was unsure what to make of it as the wine revealed aromas of smoky tobacco and herbs, with some fruit(perhaps plums) surfacing after a while. Definitely long on the finish with good strenght. Worth trying IMHO. Go to bcliquorstores.com for more info on availability.

Cheers,

Francois