Billed as a Chilean 'Cult' candidate, and the only wine in Chile that is produced biodynamically.
Wine is produced by Alvaro Espinoza Duran in the Maipo Valley. Only 348 cases made, my bottle is individually numbered...#3,245/4,182 13.5% alcohol 40% Carmenere / 30% Cab Sauvignon / 30% Syrah Decanted for 2 hours.
Dark Ruby Red Nose: Currants and black cherries with hints of eucalyptus, mint, bell peppers, and asparagus.
Taste: Tannic black currant and black cherry slap you in the mouth, the mid-palate is busy with bell peppers, black pepper, cedar, vanilla, black olive, and cassis. The finish is all about the fruit!
WS89 pts., I don't disagree.
An interesting experience. Camenere is a Merlot cousin of French (Bordeaux) origin. It is rarely seen and was, for years, mistaken for Merlot in Chile. Key to Biodynamics is considering the farm in its entirety as a living system. They are suppose to be closed, self-sustained systems. The method combines a pattern of lunar and cosmic rhythms and special organic proceedures.
The WS rating claims that the wine should be consumed through 2003...the tannins present, and lack of any sediment to speak of, suggest this wine could use at least another year...probably more.
Researching for this tasting has polarized two things I never heard of...1) the Carmenere grape... and 2) Biodynamics. I may post a thread on Biodynamics on its own, its' interesting info...and you may be suprised who uses the method.
My mother said, "You won't amount to anything because you procrastinate." I said, "Just wait."
Posts: 2182 | Location: Vanc. Island, B.C. Canada | Registered: Dec 28, 2001