2018 Viña Maquis Cabernet Franc Gran Reserva, Chile, Cochagua Valley, Wine Review

This is 90% Cabernet Franc, 7% Carménère, and 3% Petit Verdot from Chile. Garnet in color, clear and bright. The nose is dusty with tobacco and black cherries. Medium to full bodied. Firm tannins. On the palate, black cherries, and roasted Rosemary notes. A bit of cherry candy on the finish. Overall a more elegant Cab Franc that is drinking well now and should continue for the next decade. This will work well with lamb stew or other slowly braised meat dishes.

Grade:

B+

Score:

Vintage:

2018

Current Price:

$24.00USD

NV Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Red Blend, Chile, Maipo Valley, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$20.00USD

It is not clear if this is a vintage wine. The back label states "Assemblage 2018". It is a blend of 31% Cabernet Franc, 26% Syrah, 22% Carmenere, 11% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Made from organic grapes. Garnet in color, clear and bright. The nose has black cherries with an interesting minty streak. Also some black pepper and a slight floral not with a bit of air. On the palate, medium tannins. Notes of black cherries and black raspberries. Some peppery notes. Nice finish. This improved with about an hour of air. Somewhat complex and very interesting. This should drink

2010 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor, Chile, Puente Alto, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

Always nice to try this flagship wine of Chile. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cassis, roasted herbs, and slight roasted meat. On the palate, this is black cherries with underlying graphite. The wine had been decanted for a few hours and needed every bit of it. Medium tannins at that point. It is deep and powerful but nicely balanced. Long finish. Went great with roasted eggplant and other veggies. There may still be some upside but even if not, this is terrific now and should be at this level for at least another decade.

2015 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard, Chile, Colchagua Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$20.00USD

This is an excellent value in Cabernet Sauvignon. There is some Cabernet Franc in the blend. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has black cherries, slight coffee and slight cigar box. On the palate, this is medium bodied with good acidity. Black cherries over a bit of char and some dark chocolate. Nice finish. This drinks well right now on its own. It will go well with a steak or burger. It should be good for another five to seven years if well stored.

Primus 2019 The Blend

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$20.99USD

Earthy tannins leads to blackberry, blueberry, plum, and violets. Made from mainly Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon, there are small amounts of Syrah, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc in the mix. This has always been a solid wine for a very reasonable price. It deviates from much oak treatment and instead promotes the raw, earthy flavors of its organic vineyards. The aging consisted of 66% of the wine placed in French oak for 18 months, therefore the oak is supporting and not dominate. Nicely balanced this is a great go-to everyday drinking wine. ORIGIN: Apalta, Chile. ALCOHOL: 13.5%

2018 Viña Maquis Cabernet Franc Gran Reserva, Chile, Cochagua Valley, Wine Review

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NV Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Red Blend, Chile, Maipo Valley, Wine Review

2010 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor, Chile, Puente Alto, Wine Review

2015 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard, Chile, Colchagua Valley, Wine Review

Primus 2019 The Blend