16 September 2020 TerraNoble Wines of Chile Virtual Tasting

TerraNoble Wines of Chile Virtual Tasting

September 16, 2020 By

Last week I participated at a virtual wine tasting featuring the lovely wines of TerraNoble from Chile. The session was led by TerraNoble winemaker Marcelo Garcia and Tomas Uribe the Regional Director, USA & Europe for TerraNoble who did a great job translating to English for Marcelo.

Marcelo Garcia (left) and Tomas Uribe (right)

About TerraNoble

Founded in 1993, TerraNoble pioneered quality wines in the Maule Valley. According to the winery, the name “TerraNoble” recognizes the unassuming majesty of the soils of the Maule Valley, and its ability to gift excellent wines. When it was first established, TerraNoble was a boutique winery specializing in Merlot but in 1994, when Chilean Merlot was identified as Carmenere, the popular winery’s focus shifted to this rediscovered varietal that is now top of mind when wine drinkers think of Chilean wine.

TerraNoble has furthered its regional presence to the Colchagua and Casablanca valleys where its philosophy continues to be one of minimum intervention, for wines to be true to the land and the distinctiveness of its grape varieties.

The winery believes in sustainable principles and is a Sustainable Wines of Chile Certified winery that adheres to the Wine in Moderation initiative, and is now Vegan certified.

About Winemaker Marcelo Garcia

TerraNoble Winemaker Marcelo Garcia was born in Santiago, Chile and studied agronomy at Universidad Mayor before earning his Diploma in Winemaking from the Universidad de Chile in 2000.   

Marcelo worked his first vintage at Concha Toro in 2000 as a winery operator. In addition to Concha y Toro, Marcelo’s résumé features other important Chilean wineries, such as Valdivieso, Santa Carolina and San Pedro. At San Pedro he was responsible for 1865, Castillo de Molina and Santa Helena, among the winery’s most renowned brands.

Marcelo joined TerraNoble as Chief Winemaker in 2015 where he has formed a team that always delivers the best that Chilean viniculture has to offer.

About the Wines Tasted

2017 Gran Reserva Carmenere

Looks: Purple red in the glass

Smell: Dark fruit/berry with peppery notes on the nose

Taste: Ripe/juicy stone fruit and tart raspberry on the palate with dark chocolate notes

Texture and Finish: Full-bodied, sweet/round tannins with balanced acidity with a medium finish

Pairings: Grilled meats, spicy chili

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Carmenere

Region: Maule Valley, Chile

Price: $18.99

2016 CA1 (Carmenere Andes)

Looks: Cherry red in the glass

Smell: Ripe red fruit with minty notes on the nose

Taste: Cherry and red fruit on the palate with oaky notes

Texture and Finish: Medium/full-bodied, round and balanced tannins with a silky texture and a long finish

Pairings: Mushroom risotto, cassoulet  

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Carmenere

Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile

Price: $24.99

2017 CA1 (Carmenere Andes)

Looks: Red with some blueish hues in the glass

Smell: Big juicy red fruit on the nose

Taste: Ripe red fruit and cherry on the palate with minty notes

Texture and Finish: Medium/full-bodied, round tannins with long, fresh finish

Pairings: Grilled meats, spicy chili

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Carmenere

Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile

Price: $24.99

2017 CA2 (Carmenere Costa)

Looks: Deep red in the glass

Smell: Big red fruit on the nose

Taste: Ripe/juicy red fruit and on the palate with some spiced notes

Texture and Finish: Full-bodied, little jammy, firm tannins with a bit of minerality and with a long, intense finish

Pairings: Grilled meats, stewed meat dishes like beef short ribs

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Carmenere

Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile

Price: $24.99

2018 Gran Reserva Carignan

Looks: Deep red in the glass

Smell: Red fruit with some floral notes on the nose

Taste: Cherry and tart raspberry on the palate

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, nice minerality with a crisp, long finish

Pairings: Cheese plate, red sauced pasta

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Carignan

Region: Melozal, Maule Valley, Chile

Price: $18.99

Very impressed by these wines.

Cheers,

Veronique

Note: Wines were provided by TerraNoble complimentary for this tasting.

Filed Under: Carmenere, Chile, Red Wine, Wine Reviews
23 June 2016 Top Rosé Wines for the Summer

Top Rosé Wines for the Summer

June 23, 2016 By

Rose WinesSummer’s finally here and warm days are among us. While sipping rosé wines during the summer isn’t anything new, what I’m really enjoying is how food-friendly rosés have become. Rosé, French for ‘pink’, describes a genre of refreshing wines, in various hue of pink and that are made using red grapes.

Here are some rosé wines I’ve sampled recently that range in price from value to special occasions.

  • 2015 Los Vascos Rosé ($13.99) – Bright, pale pink color. On the nose, aromas of strawberries, raspberries, cherries and pomegranates underscored by white chocolate and sugar syrup. The palate is fresh, balanced and persistent. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah.
  • Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé Cremant D’Alsace ($22) – Coral/pink in color with fine and small bubbles. Light strawberry intensity with a hint of yeast. Juicy strawberry continues with a hint of sweetness that’s balanced by bright acidity. Creamy yet crisp mouthfeel.
  • 2014 Tavel Rosé, Prieuré de Montézargues ($23.99) – Bright pink in the glass, this Rhone valley rosé offers big strawberry aromas and strawberry/raspberry flavors with just a touch of citrus. 55% Grenaches (red & white), 30% Cinsault, 13% Clairette, 2% others.
  • Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé NV ($15.99) – Bright pink in the glass with strawberry aromas that carry over in the mouth. Laced with citrus and a little clove, Creamy and silky texture with nice level of acidity and a clean, dry finish. 100% Pinot Noir.
  • 2015 Domaine du Gros Noré Bandol Rosé ($26.99) – This rosé is salmon-colored in the glass and offers aromas of ripe peach with floral notes. Lovely delicate flavors of juicy melon and a nice level of acidity on the finish. 40% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 40% Cinsault.
  • 2015 Wilde Farm Rosé North Coast ($29.99) – Dark pink in the glass, this wine has citrus and floral aromas and ripe pear/peach flavors. Bit of sweetness then a perfect pop of acidity on the finish. Very limited quantities, but worth the search. 100% Dolcetto.
  • 2014 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé ($35.99) – Intense floral nose with a bit of strawberry. It has incredible peaches and juicy, ripe cantaloupe flavors with bright acidity and a long pleasantly dry finish. 50% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 2% Carignan.
  • Champagne Drappier Brut Rosé ($54.99) – Bright orangey-pink in the glass, this is some of the best pink champagne I’ve tasted of late. Floral and red berry aromas with raspberry flavors laced with pumpkin pie spice and yeasty notes. Fresh, crisp, delicious. 100% Pinot Noir.

What are some of your favorite rosé wines? Have you tried any of the above? Please let me and other readers know.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Syrah / Shiraz, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
17 April 2015 Virtual Tasting – Montes Winery

Virtual Tasting – Montes Winery

April 17, 2015 By

Montes PantoneSince it was founded in 1988, Montes Winery, the celebrated Chilean winery well-known for 25 years of innovation, has shown a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Montes Winery is certified under the Wines of Chile Sustainable Code, which addresses the wine region’s needs for sustainable practices in three areas – vineyard, winery and community.

In 2009, Montes Winery began studying the impact of differing levels of vine irrigation on the growth of grapes knowing water is a valuable resource that requires responsible usage.

In September 2014, nearly five years after it began studying dry farming, Montes introduced its 2012 line of Alpha wines, comprised of single varietal wines and produced from its Colchagua dry-farmed vineyards.

Through its dry farming techniques, Montes leaves the watering of vines up to Mother Nature. For instances where rainfall is inadequate for proper vine development, Montes supplements with minimal irrigation. Monitoring has shown Montes winemakers that less irrigation results in lower yields of much higher quality grapes.

During the 2013-2014 season, Montes was able to reduce water usage in its vineyards by 65%, an applause-worthy feat.

This week, I was invited to participate in a virtual tasting of three Montes Alpha wines with Montes Chief Winemaker Aurelio Montes. Here are my tasting notes (all three wines are in the $15 range):

Montes WinesMontes 2012 Alpha Carmenère

I sampled the 2012 Montes Alpha Carmenère after decanting for about an hour. Bright red in the glass. Raspberry nose with peppery notes. In the mouth, it’s silky in texture with ripe berry flavors and chocolate undertones.

Montes 2012 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep ruby in the glass, the 2012 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon offers blackberry aromas with notes of mocha and leather. In the mouth, this full-bodied Cab is big on dark fruit and ripe raspberries with a nice touch of oak from having spent 12 months in French oak barrels.

Montes 2012 Alpha Syrah

This Syrah is blended with 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Viognier. Inky red in the glass, the 2012 Montes Alpha Syrah offers big fruity/floral aromas with earthy, chocolate notes. Straight out of the glass, it’s bold and full-bodied but an hour of decanting produced a silky texture with plummy/dark fruit flavors and a long, smooth finish.

Over the decades since it was founded, Montes Winery has played a crucial role in enhancing awareness of quality Chilean wines and for raising the bar with regards to premium wines of the region.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Chile, Syrah / Shiraz, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
21 October 2013 Chilean Red Wine Blends – Virtual Tasting

Chilean Red Wine Blends – Virtual Tasting

October 21, 2013 By

Wines of Chile hosted a #WineChat event on Twitter on Wednesday, October 16. Sort of like a new world wines meets new technology.

I’ve explained the idea of virtual wine tastings in previous posts but for those of you who are new to virtual wine tastings, this is what the story is:

  • Get a bottle of the wine varietal or brand being featured.
  • Invite friends to share the wine and experience with you (or snuggle in your pajamas in front of the computer if you prefer).
  • Sip and share your thoughts about the wine(s) with other tasters around the world using the designated hashtag on Twitter and/or Facebook!

Here are my tasting notes from the three featured wines – 2011 Montes Twins Malbec / Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Santa Rita Triple C Red Blend and 2011 Los Vascos Grand Reserve:

2011 Montes Twins Malbec / Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 Montes TwinsGreat dark fruit, richness and structure from the Cab and silky roundness from the Malbec. Little vanilla on the finish from the oak. Nice Colchagua Valley wine for the price.

Pairings: Roast chicken, mushroom pizza, burger

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 50% Malbec, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon

Price: $18

2011 Los Vascos Grand Reserve

2011 Los Vascos Grand ReserveThis Chilean wine is bright with cherries and stone fruit. It’s intense, has a nice level of acidity and a fruity finish with black licorice notes.

Pairings: Duck, seared salmon, pork

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère, 10% Syrah, 5% Malbec

Price: $15

2007 Santa Rita Triple C Red Blend

2007 Santa Rita Triple C This Maipo Valley, Bordeaux-style blend has a lot going on for it. The 2007 Santa Rita Triple C combines the elegance of the old world grapes with new world winemaking techniques.Definitely not the typical Chilean red wine. Tons of earthy, smoky, leathery aromas with less blackberry than ripe currant that I’d expected. Deep, complex, interesting. Decant!

Pairings: Grilled meat, mushroom dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 55% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carménère

Price: $34

I’ve been a fan of Chilean wines and these three bottles that were sent to me as samples are being added to my repertoire.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: By Country, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Chile, Malbec, Red Wine, Syrah / Shiraz, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
5 June 2013 2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

June 5, 2013 By

2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon BlancThis dessert wine is strikingly golden in the glass and offers ripe, juicy peach aromas. There’s a rich, coating mouthfeel, honey and fig jam flavors and a nice level of acidity on the finish of this little beauty.

The 2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc held up nicely to the caramel panna cotta but it was paired with at a recent dinner I attended.

Pairings: Cheese course, stone fruit or caramel desserts

Style: Sweet / Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Curico Valley, Chile

Price: $19.99 (375ml)

Filed Under: Chile, Dessert Wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
30 June 2012 2009 Tamaya Reserva Carmenere

2009 Tamaya Reserva Carmenere

June 30, 2012 By

Had this Chilean wine at a wine dinner at Morris Tap & Grill and really enjoyed its boldness and food-friendliness.

On the nose, the 2009 Tamaya Reserva Carmenere offers potent aromas of ripe raspberries with spicy and coffee notes.  On the palate, it’s a huge mouthful of rich, concentrated dark berries with a long spicy/peppery finish.

Pairings:  Grilled beef or lamb.  Sharp cheese dishes.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Carmenere

Region: Limari Valley, Chile

Around $10

 

Filed Under: Carmenere, Chile, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,