The trio of Concha y Toro Chilean reds – Carmenere, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon — from the ‘Devil’s Cellar’ represent good value and pleasant drinking. Carmenere, an erstwhile Bordeaux variety that has found a home in Chile, is similar to Merlot, deeply colored with soft fruit, traces of dark chocolate and vanilla and a finished alcohol of 14%. Aging in both oak and stainless steel retains the wine’s bright fruitiness while adding the texture and structure of oak maturation. Extra points for value!
Concha y Toro, Chile (South America) Carmenere 2008
By Gerald D. Boyd