tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183876482237172773.post5173611062292706928..comments2023-12-25T05:12:15.020-05:00Comments on On the Road with the Grape Guy: Report from ... Exclusive Concha Y Toro Tasting at Select - May 12, 2011Michael Pinkushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15968983157077688761noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183876482237172773.post-13084068454200514212011-06-06T11:04:24.708-04:002011-06-06T11:04:24.708-04:00My take (wasn't that Hector at the tasting?) ....My take (wasn't that Hector at the tasting?) ....<br /><br /><br />**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):<br /><br />-Concha y Toro Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2010 Ribera del Rapel, Ucuquer Vyd, Colchagua: barrel-fermented, aged nine months in French oak, no malo-lactic, mild and fruity, sweet-oak ripeness and slight tropicality, some Burgundian elements (e.g., hazelnuts). 14% ABV.<br /><br />-Concha y Toro Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Merlot 2009 Ribera del Maule, Mariposa Vyd, San Clemente: 5% syrah added, extractive, plums and US oak, a big wine, mouth-coating palate, very American with currently tight tones, chocolate. 12 months in half French and half US oak. 14.5% ABV. Vineyard planted in 1990s. Definitely lay down at this point. <br /><br />-Concha y Toro Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Ribera del Tinguiririca, Palo Santo Vyd, Marchigue (Colchagua): red clay helps make this a big wine (but drinking well now), with some herbaceous quality (10% carmenere added), lovely wine, good detail, red fruit, sweetish finish, not hot despite 14.5% ABV. 13 months in 80% French oak, balance US oak.<br /><br /> <br /><br />***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):<br /><br />-Concha y Toro Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Ribera del Rapel, Ucuquer Vyd Colchagua: three clones used, sur lie, vivid nose, lemons, minerals, long finish. 13.5% ABV.<br /><br />-Concha y Toro Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Carmenere 2006 Ribera del Cachapoal, Peumo Vyd, Peumo: 10% cabernet sauvignon added. 13 months in half French and half US oak. Bright, lively nose, woodsy flavour, some fennel, mocha too, black fruit. Food wine. 14% ABV.<br /><br /> <br /><br />*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):<br /><br />-Concha y Toro Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Malbec 2009 Ribera del Tinguiririca, Palo Santo Vyd, Marchigue (Colchagua): reticent nose needs time to open, good structure and body, close concentration, blueberries and black fruit, food wine, hot finish, 13 months in 80% French oak and 20% US oak. 14.5% ABV. <br /><br />-Concha y Toro Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Syrah 2009 Ribera del Loncomilla Villa Alegre Vyd, Maule: lacks syrah nose initially, not a full bodied syrah, dry, with a higher acids finish, plums, chocolate, jammy but maturing early? Restrained? 14.5% ABV.Dean Tudorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027150351344396656noreply@blogger.com