The Bordeaux variety Carmenère is rarely seen in Australia. However, in Chile, where it was once mistaken for Merlot, it proliferates. There are many satisfactory if not particularly captivating examples of Carmenère in bottle. Many come over as Merlot look-a-likes; soft, plush and accessible with generous plum fruit and a herbal twist.
This particular wine, high-grown in the Elqui Valley, Chile’s northernmost wine-producing region, is a Carmenère with a twist, a Venetian one. The fruit was allowed to partially raisin prior to fermentation, increasing the wine’s potential alcohol.
The result of this Amarone-inspired wine is a deeply pigmented, intensely flavoured, somewhat alcoholic (but well balanced and in context) Carmenère. As such, it bears little comparison to most conventional examples of the variety. That, however, is not a negative, for this is a very sound wine that stands on its own two feet and delivers very good drinking for the money.
2010 VIÑA FALERNIA CARMENÈRE RESERVA
Producer: Viña Falernia
Variety: Carmenère
Vintage: 2010
Region: Elqui Valley, Chile
Alcohol: 15.0%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $25.00
Date tasted: 14 June 2015
Tasting Note:
Impenetrable crimson verging on black in appearance. Intense nose of charcoal, liqueur cherries and plums, sweet vanilla pods. Initially a bit tight and reticent. Opens up with time. Full bodied, full flavoured and powerful. Rich and creamy, with lots of powerful dark berry fruit interwoven with toasty oak. Not particularly subtle, but largely achieves what it is trying to.
Score: 16/20
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