Tertulia Cellars, Horse Heaven Hills (Washington) Carmenere 2013

This is a very serious Carmenere that shows all the variety’s best attributes (very dark, intense blackberry fruit) without any shortcomings (such as green notes, deficiency of acidity, or harshness) that sometimes mark even expensive renditions of this wine from Chile.  It avoids austerity or harshness without resorting to residual sugar, which shows excellent work in the vineyard and admirable restraint and tasted in the cellar.  This will surely benefit from both food and time in bottle, but robust food now will obviate the need for additional aging.  A Double Gold award winner at the 2017 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition.