Made by Domus Aurea winemaker Jean Pascal Lamaze. So I expected it to be very different from anything I've had, and very interesting. Which it was.

50% cabernet sauvignon, 15% syrah and carmenere, plus merlot, cab franc and petite verdot.

Not great when first opened, pretty harsh in fact, but way better a half hour later. Smooth and creamy, and fruity but not overly so.

Stewed plums, smoke, cedar on the nose. Medium full-bodied. Organic.

I tasted sour cherry compote, purple plum, cherry Nibs, grilled salmon, stewed prunes, huge cedar (could be the national wine of Lebanon!). A very odd, but very pleasing combination of tastes.

This is the first organic wine I've really liked. Can't decide if I like it more because of the taste or because it's so original. Either way, I like it.

90 pts.

I'm drinking this wine right now and it shows very well. I was worried by the 15.1% alchool, but it is not a problem. The wine is well balanced, very soft, and I agree that it has an original aromatic profile. How to understand why Mr. Molesworth only gave an 81 to this very good wine. I bought that wine attracted by it's Quebrada de Macul relation. Domus Aurea is one of the elite wine of Chile and Stella Aurea is a very good wine with attractive QPR. This Pargua II, 2006, is another great effort.

Unfortunately, my experience wasn't as good.

• 2006 Vina Pargua Pargua II - Chile, Central Valley, Maipo Valley (10/19/2009)
  Overripe plum with woodsmoke and green herb offer some promise but the finishing tannins turn bitter and disjointed. A few years in the cellar should help. I didn't hate this wine, but it's hard to think of when one might use it right now. At almost $20 retail at a LWS, it's possibly a bit pricey to serve passed at a party or host bar. Right now, I'd put it with a rustic, hearty meal. (79 pts.)

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