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With all the national and international wine celebrations that seem to occur almost daily, it can be a bit overwhelming. I have missed one too many “wine holidays” to mention. For instance, I just found out that August 31st was International Cabernet Sauvignon Day! Although I’m more than a few days behind on the latest celebration, let’s raise our glasses anyway and celebrate Cabernet Sauvignon with a few gems from Chile  Chilean Vineyard Photo credit: Jorge Fernandez-Salas Here are a few fun facts. Chile is a long and narrow country bordering the Pacific Ocean to the west and to the east lie the Andes Mountains, which is among the world’s highest mountain range in the Western Hemisphere. Chile spans 2700 miles, from north to south, and is only 100 miles wide. Its numerous wine regions are then divided into sub-regions. map Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted red grape variety in Chile. According to Wines of Chile, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape is credited with putting Chile on the world stage. Approximately 40,200 hectares ( 99,336 acres) of Cabernet Sauvignon are planted to vine, with vineyards extending from the country’s far north in Atacama to the Araucania region midway down the coast. The core of production takes place in the Central Valley wine region, where Maipo Valley and Rapel Valley sub-regions and the zones of Colchagua Valley and Cachapoal Valley account for approximately 97% of the planted surface area.  For a more in-depth look at Chilean wine, regions, and wine producers, please refer to the “Categories” menu on the right  Photo credit: Penny Wiess Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 The grapes for this wine were harvested from the Palo Santo Vineyard D.O. Marchigüe, Colchagua Valley. It is 94.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Carmenere, and 2.5% Syrah. The wine is aged for ten months in French oak barrels and 5000 lts. foudres. (21% new, 79% second use) Foudres are large wooden vats.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Dark berries, sour cherry, pepper, and baking spice. Palate: It is juicy and round with silky tannins. Flavors of dark cherry, plum, baking spice, and toasted oak lead to a long finish with cocoa, vanilla, and spice lingering. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $17 Pairing suggestions: Grilled meat, fowl, game, roasted veggies, stews, and seared spicy tuna. TerraNoble Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from two different terroirs in Colchagua Valley. 70% of the grapes are selected from Los Lingues, and 30% from Marchigüe. The wine is aged in 70% new and used French oak barrels and 30% in untoasted foudres for 12 months. It is then bottle-aged for at least six months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: A touch of floral with dark fruit, earthy, baking spice, herbal notes, and anise. Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with dark plum, pepper, baking spice, and dark chocolate. It is a lovely dance between sweet and savory and a nice balance between acidity and tannins. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $20 Pairing suggestions: Roasted meats, aged cheese, grilled tuna and veggies, mushroom risotto, or sautéed polenta.. Miguel Torres Reserva Especial Cordillera Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2018 The grapes for this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced from vineyards in the Maipo Valley. The wine is aged 12 months in 20% new French oak and 80% second-use French oak.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Dark berries, sour cherry, plum, pepper, and a touch of mint.
Palate: Aromas spill onto the palate with dark, juicy berries, dried herbs, toasted oak, and spice. Nice acidity and smooth tannins. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $20 Pairing suggestions: Grilled or roasted meats, game or fowl, hearty stews, or charcuterie board. These wines offer a lot of bang for the buck and are very impressive! Happy Belated International Cabernet Sauvignon Day! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Okay, I am not patiently waiting for spring to arrive and I am quite tired of having to endure bone-chilling temperatures. So, I thought I would cheer myself up with a taste of some heartwarming wines from Marques de Casa Concha.  For those of you who are new to my blog, I have written many stories and reviews of the iconic wines of Concha y Toro located in Chile. For an in-depth look at their history, brands, vineyards, wines and winemakers, please click on the menu at right. Today, I’m keeping it short and sweet. Marques de Casa Concha is a renowned brand of Concha y Toro and is known for its fine collection of single vineyard varietals produced by noted winemaker Marcelo Papa. All Marques de Casa Concha grapes are hand harvested from single vineyards except for the Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a blend from the Puente Alto Vineyard and Pirque Vineyard located close to the foothills of the Andes Mountains in the Maipo Valley of Chile. The grapes for the Carmenere are sourced from the celebrated Peumo vineyard, located in the Cachapoal zone of Chile’s Rapel Valley.  The climate is semi-arid Mediterranean with a strong impact from the Andes Mountains creating extreme temperatures between night and day. The grapes experience a longer ripening period allowing for aromas that are more intense and concentrated. Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere 2016 is 100% Carmenere. Aging takes place in new and used French oak barrels for 18 months prior to release. The color is deep red, bordering on purple with aromas of dark cherry, cranberry, black raspberry and spice. Fresh acidity and round tannins add to the dark berries, plum, spice, pepper and vanilla on the palate. The wine is elegant and I am happy to sip it as an aperitif, but it will pair nicely with roasted meat, game, pasta and cheese. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $25  Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is aged for 18 months in new and used French oak barrels and then aged for an additional month after bottling. The color is dark ruby with abundant aromas of cherry, plum, spice and dark berries that segue onto the palate. Lingering flavors of smoke, pepper and hints of vanilla give way to a lengthy finish. Silky tannins and concentrated flavors add to this expressive wine. Serve with hearty stews, meat, fish and hard cheese. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $25  As always, Marques de Casa Concha wines never disappoint my palate!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Every holiday season Don Melchor arrives at my doorstep for our annual get together. We have had a standing date for the last few years and I always look forward to it.  Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is Chile’s first and most renowned wine and Concha y Toro’s signature red. Winemaker Enrique Tirado has been at the helm of this project for the past 20 years and each vintage of Don Melchor he has produced is expressive and elegant. However, the 2015 vintage is the crème de la crème. To quote Enrique, “ the 2015 vintage of Don Melchor is one of the best vintages of my life”.  Enrique Tirado, Winemaker Photo credit: Don Melchor Every year Tirado chooses grapes from 50 to 60 parcels, out of the 142 located in the Puente Alto vineyard on the north bank of the Maipo River in the sub-region of Maipo Valley. It is a 313-acre vineyard planted on the Maipo River’s oldest terraces.   Photo credit: Don Melchor Tirado says, “each parcel not only offers a unique expression, but that expression varies from year to year”. Enrique also adds, “Don Melchor is not a single Cabernet Sauvignon but multiple expressions and that making this multi-Cabernet blend is a challenge.” The 2015 vintage began in the vineyard with ideal conditions that were extraordinary. The perfect soil and climate conditions throughout the growing season led to an intense expression of aromas and flavors in this vintage. According to Enrique, “every block of the vineyard exuded a particular strength of character and contributed even greater complexity to the finished wine”.  Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The wine was aged for 15 months in French oak barrels (69% new and 31% second-use). The color is ruby red with heady aromas of cherry, plum, spice, vanilla and a touch of earth. The palate is sumptuously layered with cherry, red currant, toast, fennel, spice, chocolate and hints of minerality. The balance of acidity and tannins leads to a smooth and luxurious mouth-feel. The wine is very drinkable now but has the aging potential of 20 to 25 years. Of course, I am revisiting this bottle much sooner! Pair with stews, meat, aged and creamy cheese.
Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $120 This vintage is the ultimate expression of the terroir and Enrique Tirado’s master winemaking. It is an elegant and impressive wine. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It’s that time of year again when children and adults are busy carving pumpkins, searching for the perfect Halloween costume to wear, planning parties and making lots of treats. Halloween is a great time to let one’s imagination run wild and tap into that creative spirit!  In addition to adorning my house with “spooky” décor and making a variety of delicious Halloween themed treats, I always look forward to my seasonal delivery of Casillero del Diablo Reserva wines from Chile which add a special touch to the festivities. Don Melchor Concha y Toro founded Concha y Toro in 1883. He began his winery with grape varieties that he brought back to Chile from the Bordeaux region of France. However, the “legend” is a much more fitting story for Halloween. Legend has it that more than 130 years ago a ship set sail from Bordeaux carrying a cargo of precious vines. The ship landed in Chile where the grapes were turned into a mysterious wine. Although the wines were locked up for safekeeping, they continually disappeared from the cellar. So in order to stop the theft of the wine, Don Melchor spread a rumor that the devil lived in the cellar. Everyone became terrified and some people claimed to have seen the devil. The rumor worked, the thefts stopped and Don Melchor continued to enjoy his wines. To this day, it is known as the “devil's cellar”. Casillero del Diablo means “devil's locker” in Spanish. The cellar is located in Pirque, close to Santiago. The “devil” logo is on every bottle.  The Devil's Cellar Photo credit: Richard F. Ebert My “treats” from Casillero del Diablo this year are Casillero del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 and Casillero del Diablo Reserva Red Blend 2017. The vineyards for these wines are located in Central Valley.  Casillero del Diablo Reserva Red Blend 2017 is 70% Syrah and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is dark purple with sweet aromas of dark cherries, dark berries, spice and a touch of vanilla. The palate offers juicy dark plum and dark cherry, spice, hints of cocoa and hints of sour cherry and pepper on the finish. This is a smooth and balanced wine with soft tannins. Try serving with grilled meats, seared tuna and hearty stews. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $12  Casillero del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is 89.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Petit Syrah. The color is dark purple with aromas of dark cherries, berries, plum and spice. This is a rich and full-bodied wine layered with dark plum, blackcurrant, dark cherries, licorice and spice. Hints of coffee beans and dark chocolate linger on the finish. This is a well-structured wine with firm tannins and a smooth mouth-feel. This wine will stand up to a multitude of spicy and hearty dishes. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $12  However you choose to celebrate Halloween this year, be a little daring and try adding a “devilish” wine to warm things up!  Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It is oppressively hot and the added thunderstorms and relentless humidity have “dampened” many spirits of late. So, I invited a few friends over for some chilled wine and appetizers to lighten the mood.  My refrigerator is stocked with whites and rosés, but everyone was leaning towards the Chardonnays from South America.  Argentina and Chile are in the Southern Hemisphere, so their seasons are at opposite times of the year from the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, they are in full winter mode right now! Perhaps my guests were hoping to imbibe a touch of winter whilst sipping the wine. These wines are oaked and un-oaked Chardonnays offering different flavors and regional characteristics. Marques Casa Concha Chardonnay 2016 is 100% Chardonnay made from grapes harvested in the Quebrada Seca Vineyard, D.O. Limari, Limari Valley in Chile. Fermentation took place in oak vats and then the wine was aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. The color is golden yellow with rich aromas of pear, baked apple, hints of flint and a touch of lemon. The palate offers a creamy texture with layers of pear, pineapple, minerality and flavors of vanilla and toast from the oak aging. This is a full-bodied, crisp wine with a long finish. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $22  For more information about Concha y Toro and their wines, please select and click from the menu at right. Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay 2018 is 100% certified Organic Chardonnay. The grapes are harvested in Tupungato, Alto Gualtallary at the foothills of the Andes in Argentina. This is an un-oaked Chardonnay that was fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged for 4 months in the bottle. The color is golden yellow with aromas of white flowers, melon, pineapple and hints of citrus. The palate offers pear, melon, tart green apple and a hint of vanilla and zest on the finish. This is a refreshing wine with lively acidity. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $13  For more information about Domaine Bousquet and their wines, please select and click from the menu at right. Both Chardonnays are great to serve as aperitifs or pair with light salads, seafood, light pasta, or fruit and cheese.
It is hard to believe that summer is more than halfway over. Let’s make the most of it before winter is upon us! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It was a Sauvignon Blanc kind of weekend. The weather was warm, company was on hand and I had a few bottles of wine chilling from different parts of the world.  Having tasted and enjoyed Casillero del Diablo Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2016 over a year ago, I was looking forward to opening the 2017 vintage. I am a big fan of Chilean wines as you may have guessed by now. And, the brands of Concha y Toro keep producing very drinkable wines. Since I have told the story many times of Don Melchor de Concha y Toro and the mysterious Devil’s Cellar, I will skip the tale this time. If curious, select Casillero del Diablo on the menu at right and read the story!  Casillero del Diablo Reserva 2017 Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown in the Casablanca Valley region of Chile. The region experiences a cooler climate and a longer ripening period for the grapes. The vines grow in sandy clay soil.   The Casillero del Diablo Reserva is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The color is pale straw with green hues. Aromas of floral, citrus and tropical fruit segue onto the palate along with pear and tart apples. This wine is refreshing and accompanied by lively acidity and a zesty finish. It drinks beautifully as an aperitif or served with seafood, salad and light pasta dishes. It’s a great wine to pack in a picnic basket! Alcohol: 13% SRP: $12 The other Sauvignon Blanc that we opened this weekend hails from New Zealand. Mount Riley winery is in Marlborough, an established winemaking region located at the northeastern tip of the South Island.  Mount Riley winery, established in 1992, is family owned with John Buchanan at the helm. His daughter Amy (general manager) and her husband Matt (chief winemaker) are the 6th generation of family in Marlborough.  John Buchanan and his daughter, Amy. Photo courtesy of Mount Riley winery. Marlborough is a dry and sunny region with cool temperatures and a long growing season. Mount Riley winery has seven vineyard sites throughout Marlborough with varying soils such as clay based, silt deposits, Rapaura, and loam. The region’s specialty is Sauvignon Blanc.  Photo courtesy of Mount Riley winery.  Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2017 is 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes that are a blend from multiple vineyard sites, including Awatere Valley and Wairau Valley. The color is pale straw and it is very aromatic with notes of tropical fruit, citrus, peach and floral. The palate offers white flowers, fresh stone fruit, lime and a dash of minerality. The finish is crisp and ends with lemon zest. This is another refreshing wine to drink as an aperitif but is also easy to pair with seafood, light pasta salads and cheese. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $12.95  With very hot weather predicted for the next few days, it’s important to stay hydrated with plenty of water…in between sipping your favorite wine!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Around this time last year, I reviewed two 2016 vintage wines from South America. Remembering how impressed I was with the price to value ratio of these wines, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to taste the 2017 vintages.  Reserva Casillero del Diablo Rosé 2017 is produced by winemaker Marcelo Papa. The grapes come from Chile’s Central Valley and are grown in riverbench and benchland associated soils.  The wine is a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Cinsault and 10% Carmenere. The color of the wine is light pink-salmon with aromas of juicy berries, citrus, floral and spice. The palate is layered with red berries and a touch of spice that lingers on the finish. This is a crisp rosé with just the right balance of dryness. I love the design of the bottle as well as the wine inside it! Alcohol: 13% SRP: $12  Trivento White Orchid Reserve 2017 is produced by winemaker Maximiliano Ortíz The grapes are harvested from the Uco Valley, Mendoza where the vines grow in alluvial soil.  The wine is a blend of 85% Torrontés and 15% Pinot Gris. The color is pale yellow with intoxicating floral aromas mingled with tropical fruit, pineapple and honeysuckle. A burst of floral floods the palate followed by tropical fruit, apricots, honeydew and hints of citrus. Refreshing acidity and lingering notes of floral and citrus on the finish add to the perfect balance of this delicious wine. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $11  Both of these wines can be enjoyed with a wide range of summer fare or as an aperitif.  To read more in-depth stories about Chile, Argentina, Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo and Trivento, please visit the menu on the right and click on the categories you’d like to learn about.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com If you have been following my blog for the past few years, then you know that I’m a fan of Chilean wine. And, I enjoy drinking the many noteworthy brands that Concha y Toro produces such as Don Melchor, Casillero del Diablo, Gran Reserva Serie Riberas and Marques de Casa Concha. Since Concha y Toro was founded in 1883, it has become Latin America’s leading wine producer, exporting to 147 countries worldwide. The company owns approximately 10,800 hectares of prime vineyards in Chile, Argentina and the United States.  In 1718, King Felipe V of Spain bestowed upon the Concha y Toro family the title of “Marques”. It was later on that the family moved to Chile and Don Melchor Concha y Toro founded the winery in 1883. As a tribute to the “Marques” title, the Marques de Casa Concha wines were created and launched in 1976.  The Marques Casa Concha grapes are handpicked from single vineyards, except for the Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a blend from the Puente Alto Vineyard and Pirque Vineyard located close to the foothills of the Andes Mountains in the Maipo Valley of Chile. The climate is semi-arid Mediterranean with a strong impact from the Andes Mountains creating extreme temperatures between night and day. The grapes experience a longer ripening period allowing for aromas that are more intense and concentrated. Marcelo Papa, who is one of five lead winemakers at Concha y Toro, makes the Marques de Casa Concha wines.  The Marques de Casa Concha 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Syrah. It is a dark and inky red with lush aromas of dark fruit, plum, wood and spice. The palate offers layers of blackberry, dark plum, pomegranate and spices. The finish is long and peppery with black cherry lingering on the palate. The wine has a smooth texture and medium tannins and it will pair well with meat, game and hearty fish. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $25  While I’m on the subject of Concha y Toro, I had quite the treat the other evening. A friend, who is also a wine writer, opened a bottle of Concha y Toro 1985 Cabernet Blanc that had been hibernating in his cellar for many years. Although the back label stated that it was a “blush” color, it had clearly turned to a rich cognac tone due to oxidation. The cork was removed easily and intact. I was sure that the wine would be a “pour down the drain” bottle. However, we were both pleasantly surprised. Subtle aromas of perfume segued onto the palate. It had hints of vanilla and caramel with a port like quality to it. This 33-year-old vintage was quite drinkable!     Until next time!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com A few weeks ago I opened a bottle of Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Malbec 2014 from Chile. I intended to give a “shout out” to this expressive wine, but days got away from me and I never got around to writing about it. And then, yesterday I received several bottles of Malbec from Chile and Argentina. One of the bottles was a Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Malbec 2016. So, I thought it would be interesting to compare the 2014 and 2016 vintages.  The Gran Reserva Serie Riberas is also known as “Riverbank Series”. These are single-vineyard wines grown close to one of Chile’s major rivers, the Rapel, Cachapoal and Tinguirica. The Malbec vineyards are planted on the south bank of the Tinguirica River. The Palo Santo Vineyard is located 180 meters above sea level. The climate is Mediterranean with an extended dry season and the river and coastal breezes influence the temperature. Marcio Ramírez is the chief winemaker for the Gran Reserva Serie Riberas. Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Malbec 2014 is made with 90% Malbec and 10% Syrah. The color is deep purple with tantalizing aromas of dark fruit, dark plum, blueberries, blackberries and spice. The palate is layered with dark berries, dark plum, hints of blueberries, nutmeg, pepper and dark chocolate. This wine has a beautiful concentration of flavors and is full-bodied with soft tannins. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $17  Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Malbec 2016 is made with 85% Malbec and 15% Merlot. The color is dark purple with concentrated aromas of blueberries, plum, spice, pepper and hints of floral. The palate offers lush dark fruit, black cherries, plum and spice with a long finish of pepper and sour cherry. It is medium-bodied with soft tannins. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $17  The 2016 vintage has a tad more spice and has earthiness, but both vintages are easy to drink and they will pair well with many foods.
Until next time! Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Since my last post landed us in Argentina, I thought it would be fun to hop over to Chile, which is on the other side of the Andes. The Andes is among the world’s highest mountain range in the Western Hemisphere, running from north to south on the western side of South America separating Chile from Argentina. The Andes also borders on Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.  Our stop is in Central Valley, one of the largest wine regions in Chile, encompassing about 250 miles with varying climates and soil. A variety of grapes are grown here including Chile’s icon grape, Carmenere.  To refresh your memory or if you are reading my blog for the first time, here is an excerpt from a story I wrote a few months ago about Carmenere. “The Carmenere grape is a member of the Cabernet family and was originally planted in the Medoc region of Bordeaux, France. It is considered part of the original six grapes of Bordeaux. Carmenere was thought to be extinct after the European phylloxera outbreaks in the 19th century. However, the grape was rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s after having been imported there in the 19th century. Chile now has the largest area of planted Carmenere in the world. Today, Carmenere grows chiefly in the Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, and Maipo Province of Chile and produces the majority of Carmenere wines. The name Carmenere comes from the French word crimson. The grape is known for its deep red color, soft tannins and flavors of blackberry, cherry and spice.” Within Central Valley is a sub-region called Rapel Valley, a warm and dry region, producing about a quarter of all Chilean wine. It is sheltered from the cold by two mountain ranges, the Andes and the Coastal Range. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Carmenere are the most important grapes grown here. And this is where Concha y Toro harvests the Carmenere for their Casillero del Diablo Reserva. The soil in this area is riverbench and benchland associated. The summers are hot with mild winters and sweeping differences in day and night temperatures, all typical of the Mediterranean climate here. The growing season is long allowing the grapes to ripen slowly.  Casillero del Diablo Reserva Carmenere 2016 is 100% Carmenere. The color is red violet with aromas of pulpy dark fruit, cherry, sweet spice and vanilla. The palate offers a lovely blend of dark berries, plum, cherry and dark chocolate with vanilla and pepper on a long finish. This is an expressive wine with soft tannins and just the right amount of fruit intensity. It is a great wine to serve with cheese, hearty stews and game during the winter months, but it will drink beautifully with summer fare as well! Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $12  In fact, it was the perfect choice to pair with the vegetarian spicy Sweet Potato Chili that I made for dinner!   For more information on Chile and Concha y Toro, please peruse my past stories I have written by choosing from the right-hand menu on this page.
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com |
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