Carménère may be an acquired taste for some, but the often overlooked grape is worth getting to know. The wines typically show red and dark berry flavors along with herb and green pepper accents and a bit of spice that suggests ground white pepper. Carménère is somewhat softer than Cabernet Sauvignon but more structured and a bit more tannic than many Merlots, all of which is to say that it’s an intriguing alternative to its better-known Bordeaux cousins.
They are among the best values in the wine world, offering incredible complexity for the price. Many of them surprised me with their under-$20 price tags. From the Apalta denomination in the Colchagua Valley, Montes ‘Wings’ Carménère 2020 is an exceptional blend of 85 percent Carménère and 15 percent Cabernet Franc. There’s an intriguing braised meat aroma along with the dark fruit, mainly blackberry, which extends to the palate. Hints of coffee bean and vanilla round things out. Ripe tannins make it accessible now, but the wine will continue to evolve for some years. A great alternative to California Cabernets.
Excerpt Taken From: VinePair
Author: Edward Deitch
