2010 Caliterra Tributo Carmenere

The Caliterra label has become one of Chile’s more famous wine brands since its inception in 1996. It started as a partnership between the fifth generation family of Eduardo Chadwick of Vina Errazuriz and Californian wine legend, Robert Mondavi.

A Great Value introduction to Chile’s Signature varietal.
Carmenere is ideally matched to Chile's terroir, so long as viticulturalists can manage the vines appropriately. Like others from the Cabernets family, the variety possesses high concentrations of methoxypyrazines - compounds which can produce overpowering herbaceous or 'green' flavours. Humans are particularly sensitive to this compound, detectable at levels as low as 3 parts per trillion. Too much makes for a flawed wine. Fruit ripeness is key whereby hints of methoxypyrazine actually add a complexing dried leaf / tobacco characteristic to Carmenere's spicy fruit notes. It's an unmistakable and unique combination of flavours that's prompted critics internationally to conclude of Chilean Carmenère: "When they're good, there's really nothing else quite like it".

Matured for 14 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels. Opaque black crimson colour with very deep dark crimson red hue. Lifted tobacco notes are followed are followed by some blackcurrant and mulberry with some cedar and spice end notes. Medium to full bodied the palate possesses plenty of richness with flavours of ripe blackcurrant and black cherry followed by some cigar box like characters, cedar and spice. Very fine grained beautifully integrated tannins. Long black cherry, blackcurrant, cigar box and spicy cedar aftertaste.
Cellar 4-5 years (2017-2018).
Alc 14.5%