Interesting Chilean blend of Syrah, Carmenere, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec. However, very tight out of the bottle, it got better every hour it was opened, even kicking some serious butt the second day. Inky black purple color. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, black cherry, plum, leather, spice, bell pepper, tar, wet tobacco, and damp earth, with modest oak. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, plummy, leathery, spice laden red blend that got better every sip. With medium tannins, medium acidity, this wine was still kind of wound up and might take some time to reveal all that it has to offer.
Category Archives: Colchagua Valley
2005 Maquis Lien Colchagua Chile
2006 Montes Purple Angel Carmenere Colchagua Valley
Black purple color. On the nose, youthful, medium+ maybe even high intensity, black currant, black cherry, cedar, spice, loaded with bell pepper, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, some oak, and some earth. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, medium tannin, medium+ body, nice acidity, very interesting array of flavors that are harmonious and intriguing, on a long spice driven finish.
2003 Montes Folly Chile
An amazing tasting at work the other day. Three vintages of this 100% Syrah from the Apalta Vineyard. Garnet in color. On the nose, evolving, muted nose, medium- intensity, leather, dust, black raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, black pepper, slight earth, and definite oak. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, medium tannin, medium acidity, beautiful luscious palate, some meat stick emerged, very nicely balanced, very pretty finish. Hard to say which one I like the most, if I was put on the spot I would say the 04 because of the interesting characteristics that came out.
2004 Montes Folly Chile
100% Syrah from the Apalta Vineyard, with purple to garnet color. On the nose, youthful but starting to evolve, medium+ intensity, very creamy red and black fruit, licorice, bees wax, crayola crayon, lots of dust, tobacco leaf, cracked pepper, some oak, and slight earth. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium tannin, medium acidity, seamless, awesome balance, awesome finish, with lots of character not usual to our American palates.
2006 Montes Folly Chile
100% Syrah from the Apalta Vineyard, with very purple color. On the nose, youthful, medium+ intensity, plum, red currants, black pepper, leather, tobacco, lots of fruit, moderate amounts of oak, and no earth to speak of. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, medium tannin, medium+ body, medium acidity, candied red fruit, leather, loaded with spices, very beautiful balance, through a long spicy finish.
2006 Root 1 Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Chile
Nice garnet color. On the nose, youthful, medium+ intensity, plum, raspberry, cranberry, pomegranate, compost, herbs, ash, pencil shavings, menthol, slate earthiness, and subtle use of oak. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, medium tannin, medium acidity, black currants, cherry, minerality, with a moderate finish. I called this Cab Franc from Loire from a ripe vintage. Close, I guess, enjoyable wine that I will revisit.
2006 Cono Sur Carmenere
The Winery is named for the conical shape of the southern tip of this continent.
Shit, this grape is a bit of a mystery. Grown mainly in Bordeaux. It wasn’t till a few years ago and DNA testing got involved, that everyone realized that most of what the French exported to Chile was not Merlot but Carmenere.
Most of what everyone thought was Merlot in the entire country of Chile, as infact Carmenere, a badass grape from This wine has some serious inkiness, dark berry fruit, graphite, and herbal grassy element, and pretty well integrate oak. Overall not that complex.
On the palate, this wine really made me understand why some wine just costs more than others.
Scott Jobe asked to see a wider variety at a lower cost piont. We’ll see what he thinks.
My problem is as the price goes down so does the quality.