WOW Montgras 2022 Rare Garnacha (Chile)

 

Have you tasted "pure" grenache? It is something so amazing you'll never forget it. Today, it's the Montgras 2022 Rare Garnacha

IMPRESSIVE - Perez Cruz 2021 Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)

 

Sure you've had Cabernet Sauvignon before, but this is a different kind of Cab. This is not just a single vineyard, it's a designer, and designed, single vineyard; but at a price that's affordable for all. 

Today, it's the Perez Cruz 2021 Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon

SIDEREAL San Pedro 2021 Sideral (Chile)

This wine makes its second appearance (three years apart) 

and it's another beauty from Chile: 

San Pedro 2021 Sideral

TASTY Tarapaca 2020 Etiqueta Azul, Gran Reserva

The numbers 4 and 3 play a part in this wine, 

which is more than the sum of its parts: 

 

Tarapaca 2020 Etiqueta Azul, Gran Reserva

REFRESHING : Concha y Toro 2020 Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is getting all the hype, 

but there is room for others to step in too. Here's one from 

Concha y Toro in Chile: 2020 Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc

ICONIC Montes Wines 2020 Purple Angel (Chile)

Rediscovered in 1994, Carmenere has become the icon grape of Chile (like it or loathe it) - 

here is one of the country's icon producers doing it justice, in a big way

Montes Wines 2020 Purple Angel

 

 

Spicy, earthy and coffee bean notes mix it up with blackberry, cassis and black cherry - there's a whole lot of more-ish-ness about this wine and age ability too.  (****+)

BRILLIANT: Montes Wines 2019 Wings (Chile)

Montes makes some amazing wines, this one was new to me, 

but it still delivered everything I expect from this winery in Chile

Montes Wines 2019 Wings

 

 

A nod to Paul McCartney or Red Bull, either way, this wine flew high to represent another really good offering from Montes. Smoky-black cherry and hints of coffee - the fruit just sores and sings, and it's stays a long time on the palate. Beauty.

NAILED IT Cono Sur 2019 Carmenere La Rinconada (Chile)

Carmenere is a tough grape to get right; but I think Cono Sur nails it in this bottle of 

2019 Carmenere "La Rinconada"

 

Nice to see someone who knows their way around the finicky Carmenere grape. There's some earthy nuances here, plus some smoky and herbal characteristics. The fruit hits in the cassis realm and there's also coffee bean and spice all wrapped in a medium length finish. It's a lovely Carmenere from a grape that doesn’t see enough love and get enough respect.  (****)

SYRAH ON STEROIDS - Montes Wines 2020 Folly (Chile)

Folly is Montes' Ultra Premium Syrah and in 2020 it goes next level

Montes Wines 2020 Folly

 

 

This 100% Syrah has a meatiness about it; layered with mocha, blackberry, cassis, and black cherry with smoky, spicy and peppery nuances backing it all up. 

TASTY : Aresti 2021 Trisquel Vichuquen Costa Chardonnay (Chile)

Chardonnay from Chile? It's a thing, and it's a good thing, especially with this wine

Aresti 2021 Trisquel Vichuquen Costa Chardonnay

 

 

Written Review:  This has some real punch, both of flavour and balance: spiced-tropical fruit and a lovely grilled-pineapple finish, which has some really good length (more details in video).

AMAZING bottle of Montes 2020 Alpha M (Chile)

One of the most consistent wineries in terms of quality Chilean wines does it again

Montes 2020 Alpha M 

 

 WRITTEN REVIEW

An absolute ripper ... Tasty and full of flavoured ... Layered and lovely with all its dark fruit. Drink now or hold. This tickles and tingles the tastebuds, it’s everything I'd want in a Chilean wine.  (**** ½)

 

Cono Sur 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon - No. 18 Suelo de Piedras (Chile)

Cabernet and Chile go hand-in-hand, don't believe me? Then you need to get a taste of this one

Cono Sur 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

Single Vineyard - No. 18 Suelo de Piedras

 

WRITTEN REVIEW

Super cherry-mocha and spiced-red plum start, and it just keeps getting better from there as it opens up in steps: subtle oak, cinnamon, more spiced plum, this time it's of the darker variety and some strawberry – cherry finishes it all off and lingers a long time. This fine bottle of Chilean Cab hits all the right notes, all that's missing is the mint, maybe it just needs time.  (****+)

Montes Alpha 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Chilean Wine)

Once again Montes puts another delicious Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon into the bottle : 

 

Montes Alpha 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

 

--- The Written Review ---

A real beauty with its mint and smoke on the nose; on the palate there’s a real depth with lots of lush dark fruit, this one hits all the right notes: black cherry, blackberry, vanilla and smoke - I reiterate, it’s a beauty.  (****+)   

Escudo Rojo 2018 Origine Cabernet Sauvignon (The Wine Review - #326)

To many Rothschild is synonymous with France, but should we also be equating it to Chile

 

Escudo Rojo 2018 Origine Cabernet Sauvignon

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

 

 

 

Escudo Rojo 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Origine
(The Written Review)

This is a special cuvee of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the most storied part of the vineyard. It spends 12 months in barrel (25% new) with additional resting in bottle for another year. Lovely expression of Chilean Cabernet with plenty of minty notes on the nose along with black cherry - the palate is delicate with that mint, but loads up on blackberry and black cherry along with a lovely note of chocolate on the finish. Fresh, long and elegant.  (****+) 

Vina Tarapaca 2018 Gran Reserva Merlot (The Wine Review - #308)

Merlot is a staple grape in so many countries, Chile is one of those - 

and they know how to do it right : 

 

Vina Tarapaca 2018 Gran Reserva Merlot

 

 available at the winery (and other fine wine stores).

 

Errazuriz 2018 Max VIII (The Wine Review - #305)

Something brand new from this iconic Chilean producer 

 

Vina Errazuriz 2018 Max VIII

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

Montes Alpha 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Cuvee (The Wine Review - #298)

Montes Alpha Cabernet might be a staple on store shelves, but what is "Special Cuvee" : 

 

Montes Alpha 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Cuvee

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

San Pedro 2018 Tayú 1865 Pinot Noir (The Wine Review - #295)

While there is never a bad time to talk Pinot Noir, this one has a special story to tell

 

 San Pedro 2018 Tayú 1865 Pinot Noir 

 

Errazuriz 2018 MAX - Cabernet Sauvignon (The Wine Review - #288)

This redesigned "reserva" is one of the best in this line I have tried : 

 

Errazuriz 2018 MAX - Cabernet Sauvignon

 

San Pedro 2018 Sideral (The Wine Review - #282)

My wine today is a red blend from Chile that over-delivers : 

San Pedro 2018 Sideral