Chilean Wines
Chilean Wines, Bet Shalom Wine Club, November 4, 2023
All of these were purchased at Liquor Boy or at Costco in St. Louis Park.
Mahu Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Maule Valley, $10: France 44: Mahu was born because of Pablo Morandé’s efforts to achieve recognition for each appellation in Chile. These are value driven wines from one of the most talented winemakers in South America. The Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the Casablanca Valley, where the soils allow for the distinct minerality and structure in this wine. Wine Bazaar: Medium-bodied, dry. Crisp and quaff-able with notes of tropical fruit, citrus, and mineral on the nose and palate. White grapefruit and pineapple on the finish.
Viña Leyda 2021 Coastal Vineyards—Garuma Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley), $16: Wine Enthusiast: Delicate aromas of herbs and white peach are subtle on the nose of this wine. It has a mineral character and mouth-watering acidity. The palate offers flavors of stone fruit and lime finishing with light notes of grass. Winemaker Notes: Pale yellow with greenish hues. An elegant, mineral profile with herbaceous and green pepper notes alongside citrus and floral aromas. Long, sharp, and creamy on the mid-palate, this wine finishes with firm, juicy acidity and herbaceous aftertaste.
Talinay Pinot Noir 2020 by Tabali, D.O. Valle de Limarí, $25: Winemaker notes: A unique wine, very different to most Chilean Pinots. More subtle, fragrant and with a serious palate. With structure and at the same time electric freshness. The result is a delicious and fresh wine with complex mineral notes, abundant red fruit, and a distinctive earthy character.
Pacha Reserva Carmenere 2019 by Vina Marty, D.O. Maule Valley in Valle Central, $15: James Suckling: Plenty of blackberries and light stemmy undertones follow through to a medium body, light tannins and a slightly chewy aftertaste. Winemaker Notes: Nose: Sweet fruity flavors of black fruits such as cherries, blackberries, and dried prunes are predominant at the beginning. A subtle hint of vanilla, cloves, and mocha are perfectly combined in the palate, enhancing the complexity of this beautiful and pleasant Carmenere. Palate: A full-bodied wine, with a great structure, balanced acidity, and round, silky tannins. Long finish, full of black fruit flavors and a peppery hint at the finish.
Los Vascos “Cromas” Carmenere Gran Reserva 2020, Valle de Colchagua, $20: Winemaker Notes: Aromas of blackberry, plum and black cherry that gradually give way to white pepper and herbal notes, the signature of this varietal. Extremely smooth on the palate with velvety tannins, this wine offers a good structure and admirable balance.
Unrated Xtra Cab Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, by Concha y Toro, $16: Winemaker Notes: This racy, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon offers intense aromas and flavors of Dark red berries, black fruits and sweet tannins. This wine culminates in a bold, long and enjoyable finish.
Marketing: Ready to rock ‘n roll? This is a sexy take on Cabernet from a master of the varietal. At this price, it’s a bit like stumbling into an underground club and discovering your favorite band playing a secret set the night before that sold-out arena concert. Premium winemaker Isabel Mitarakis swaps the button down for a leather jacket and rocks out with some fruit from the best cab estates in Chile, pulling together a racy, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon with intense, dark red fruit flavors and sweet tannins. This is definitely aiming to be the black sheep in the Concha y Toro lineup, but Isabel isn’t afraid to take risks and stand out.