This is absolutely one of my favorite wines. I first had this wine at a small restaurant in Santiago. It blew me away and I walked across the street to the El Mundo del Vino and purchased four bottles. Three made it back to the USA. The first was opened almost immediately upon my return and now I'm drinking the second bottle. I can't wait to taste the 3rd this fall when the weather turns a bit cooler and I can pair it with a hearty stew.
The blend is 85% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot.
The color of the wine was a little lighter than I remembered, but it had a beautiful ruby color with tawny edges.
The smell was all berries initially followed by slight "barnyard" that gave it a very French feel. The berries to me were sour cherry and a small amount of raspberry. I also smelled a little bacon with pepper. Over the course of about thirty minutes the wine evolves and picks up more floral notes with a strong menthol component. Don't be scared by the menthol...very interesting and well integrated.
The flavor followed the aroma fairly well except I didn't pick up on the raspberry much. Starts off as cherry flavored bacon and keeps that profile until the flowers and menthol kick in. I can't discern the type of flower, but the menthol is unmistakeable.
This wine is 14.5% alcohol, but you'd never know it. They did a great job. No heat at all. It's like silk on the palate.
US distribution is limited, but I know it's available in Florida and the company website says there is distribution in Rhode Island. If you are lucky enough to find this wine do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle. You will not be dissapointed. Don't hesitate to try any of their other offerings as well. The quality is outstanding.
I'm posting a link to the website. Great story about making your dreams come true and some good background on the wines.
If you've had it I'd love to know what you think.
www.vinavonsiebenthal.com
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Santa Ema Amplus Sauvignon Blanc
This is the second Sauvignon Blanc of the week and the one that I was most excited to try. I have had other products in the Amplus line and have been impressed with the quality. Needless to say this wine did not disappoint.
The color in the glass was golden with a slight green tint. The winery's description of the aroma called for tropical fruits and I agree. I smell kiwi and pineapple (maybe it's the Leyda Valley fruit). This is classic Sauvignon Blanc in a more restrained style than most are used to if you typically drink Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand. The grapefruit is evident, but not over the top.
Crisp acidity is the first thing you notice on the palate along with light grapefruit complementing the tropical fruit. The acidity mellows as ithits the mid-palate and the texture picks up weight. The weight is reminiscent of a light chardonnay, but obviously the flavor profile is different. The finish lasts 20-30 seconds, which I find quite lenghty for this varietal.
As the wine warms in the glass, I start to pick up more of the pineapple. Some may find the wine more fruity than they are used to if they like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but for me this strikes a great balance.
Retail price in Louisville, KY was $14.
The color in the glass was golden with a slight green tint. The winery's description of the aroma called for tropical fruits and I agree. I smell kiwi and pineapple (maybe it's the Leyda Valley fruit). This is classic Sauvignon Blanc in a more restrained style than most are used to if you typically drink Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand. The grapefruit is evident, but not over the top.
Crisp acidity is the first thing you notice on the palate along with light grapefruit complementing the tropical fruit. The acidity mellows as ithits the mid-palate and the texture picks up weight. The weight is reminiscent of a light chardonnay, but obviously the flavor profile is different. The finish lasts 20-30 seconds, which I find quite lenghty for this varietal.
As the wine warms in the glass, I start to pick up more of the pineapple. Some may find the wine more fruity than they are used to if they like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but for me this strikes a great balance.
Retail price in Louisville, KY was $14.
De Martino Alto de Piedra Carmenere
This is the wine I split with my friend Lee Boyd Monday night.
The De Martino Alto de Piedra is a 2006 vintage single vineyard Carmenere from the Maipo Valley. This is a wine that I purchased in Santiago, Chile in November 2008. I can't remember the retail price, but I do not remember purchasing anything very expensive during the trip. If I had to guess a retail price, I would say that it retails for $20-30 if you can find it. I am not sure of the US distribution, but I have not seen it in Louisville, KY.
The color in the glass is a deep opaque purple. The aroma that I detect is black plum and dark cherry. I also smell some vanilla and a small amount of coconut. The initial taste is all cherries with slight oak. The plum is evident in the mid-palate and the coconut comes through on the end. The finish lasts for 30 seconds and is great.
This wine has extremely soft tannins and is very easy to drink. A well marbled piece of beef would be a perfect compliment. The only downside I see to this wine is that it may be a bit one dimensional since it concentrates heavily on the dark fruits, but overall I would buy this wine again without hesitation.
The De Martino Alto de Piedra is a 2006 vintage single vineyard Carmenere from the Maipo Valley. This is a wine that I purchased in Santiago, Chile in November 2008. I can't remember the retail price, but I do not remember purchasing anything very expensive during the trip. If I had to guess a retail price, I would say that it retails for $20-30 if you can find it. I am not sure of the US distribution, but I have not seen it in Louisville, KY.
The color in the glass is a deep opaque purple. The aroma that I detect is black plum and dark cherry. I also smell some vanilla and a small amount of coconut. The initial taste is all cherries with slight oak. The plum is evident in the mid-palate and the coconut comes through on the end. The finish lasts for 30 seconds and is great.
This wine has extremely soft tannins and is very easy to drink. A well marbled piece of beef would be a perfect compliment. The only downside I see to this wine is that it may be a bit one dimensional since it concentrates heavily on the dark fruits, but overall I would buy this wine again without hesitation.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Montes Sauvignon Blanc Limited Selection
Montes Sauvignon Blanc Limited Selection
This crisp sauvignon blanc was a 2008 vintage from the Leyda Valley. Leyda is part of San Antonio, which is a sub region of the Aconcagua Valley just south west of Santiago. This wine is crisp and typical of the region, but not quite as austere as some of the more mineral whites from the area.
The color of this wine is very pale straw with a hint of green/gold.
On the nose, I smell strong hints of pineapple, lime and lemon zest. The pineapple continues on the taste for me, but not quite as pronounced. I start to pick up more apple with some lime, but the stainless steel fermentation is evident from the crispness on the palate. The finish is clean and would be a perfect match for shellfish; specifically, I'm thinking of grilled langostinos.
The wine has extensive distribution and at $14.99 retail (in Kentucky) I would consider it a great value for summer; either as an aperitif, or as your main wine with shellfish or a light salad.
I think this wine will definitely impress the novice or someone with an experienced palate. Place a couple of bottles on ice, invite a few friends over and enjoy the warm weather.
This crisp sauvignon blanc was a 2008 vintage from the Leyda Valley. Leyda is part of San Antonio, which is a sub region of the Aconcagua Valley just south west of Santiago. This wine is crisp and typical of the region, but not quite as austere as some of the more mineral whites from the area.
The color of this wine is very pale straw with a hint of green/gold.
On the nose, I smell strong hints of pineapple, lime and lemon zest. The pineapple continues on the taste for me, but not quite as pronounced. I start to pick up more apple with some lime, but the stainless steel fermentation is evident from the crispness on the palate. The finish is clean and would be a perfect match for shellfish; specifically, I'm thinking of grilled langostinos.
The wine has extensive distribution and at $14.99 retail (in Kentucky) I would consider it a great value for summer; either as an aperitif, or as your main wine with shellfish or a light salad.
I think this wine will definitely impress the novice or someone with an experienced palate. Place a couple of bottles on ice, invite a few friends over and enjoy the warm weather.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
How this started
Last Sunday, I was sitting with my wonderful fiance, Glynnis, and our friend Michael enjoying a beautiful spring day. We were at Michael's house tasting our way through an afternoon with three bottles of rose and I thought what a fun way to spread the word of how wine can bring people together. As the rose continued to flow, the idea became a little more clear and I decided that I would taste a bottle of wine a day and write about my thoughts on the wine as well as provide some background on the region, the grape, the producer, the vineyard, the price, and general availability.
The plan is to pick a region a week and taste a different bottle each day. Sunday starts my tour of Chile. It's starting to turn warm in Kentucky and crisp Sauvignon Blancs are on my mind...although, I'm sure there will be a big Cabernet or a soft Carmenere thrown in for good measure.
The plan is to pick a region a week and taste a different bottle each day. Sunday starts my tour of Chile. It's starting to turn warm in Kentucky and crisp Sauvignon Blancs are on my mind...although, I'm sure there will be a big Cabernet or a soft Carmenere thrown in for good measure.
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