The primary label for the Via Wine company founded in 1998, Chilensis is a line of moderately priced wines. The winery is based in San Rafael in the Maule Valley, and the company owns 2000 ha. in Maule and three other regions. While Chileans like to tout Carmenere as their answer to Argentinian Malbec, it has not enjoyed the same popularity. But as wineries discover where it grows best and when to harvest, Chilean Carmenere is on an upward course. The styles vary widely, but this one is a big, bold, fruit-forward red. It was aged for four months in new and used barrels. Dark in color with cherry and raspberry aromatics, it is rich and full bodied. The red fruit flavors are lively and the finish is slightly tannic. Overall an excellent pizza wine.
Chilensis, Central Valley (Chile) Carmenere 2019
By Norm Roby