Tag Archives: Chile

The Vine Trip

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The Vine Trip

In the mid-19th century, Chilean wine producers brought vines from Bordeaux to improve the quality of the original vineyard at Los Vascos. The estate came full circle, when infamous Bordeaux wine family Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) purchased Los Vascos in 1988. “Le Dix” (10 in French) was introduced to commemorate the first ten years of wine production. Sourced from 70 year old vines, oldest on the estate, made from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) blended with Carmenère, Cab Franc and Syrah.

Ripe, oaked berry aroma, fresh, bright, and richly layered.  A lovely long textured finish. 

Le Dix de Los Vascos 2013

Chile

A red doing a white’s job

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From the cool, coastal Leyda Valley in Chile. The winter was very dry. There was some minor rainfall in spring but this did not impact flowering. The temperatures were medium to high in summer.  It was an early harvest which gave us a medium, smooth, dry, and soft wine; with a nicely balanced acidity.

Our initial impression was of being quite light in structure, but very quickly realized that it is extremely food friendly.  It would go very nicely with white meats like duck, chicken or pork.  We had it with pasta as part of a medley stir fry (grilled sausage, peppers, onions and mushrooms).

PINOT NOIR – MONTGRAS RESERVA 2020

$18.99

14% Alcohol

UPC: 07804407002642

Tough Decision – drink or hold?

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Rocky, sandy soil – 550 m above sea level big contrasts between night and day temps to give us plummy, peppery, velvet smooth flavours and a long and spicy finish.

The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and undergoes a full malolactic fermentation prior to ageing in small American oak barrels for six months. A portion of the grapes are dried in appassimento style.

Forget the two night rule.  Bring out the BIG glass.  This is a wine for a long evening at the dinner table.  Don’t hold back any for another night.  We decided on a mezes evening of Middle Eastern finger food.  Tree House pizza on thin pita, Lamb/pork/beef mix for the kefta (meat balls), lots of garlic in the tzatziki, hummus, spinach pies.

Just what is needed for relaxed conversation and a hearty wine to go with it all.

For the decision – Easiest solution is to go back and buy another bottle (or two) and hold them for another year or so.

Falernia Carmenere Gran Reserva 2017

$16.99 regularly $19.99

14.5% Alcohol

UPC: 07809623200322

All good things come to an end

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But, fortunately, they are repeatable!


Another Mystery Case from the Goddess came to a close over the weekend as an Up Island Friend was stopping over on his way home from a 5 week sojourn. Of course, there was wine with dinner.  Pasta, not traditional Lamb.


As it turned out, we enjoyed two reds (Spain and Chile) and they were from two ends of the spectrum.


Spain First – 33 year old vines in the La Montesa vineyard – 95% Granacha and a 5% assortment of traditional varieties including Tempranillo and Mazuelo..  Ecological vinticulture produces a very juicy, balanced, bright and lively to go-with-the pasta-and-conversation.


The second was a lovely medium to light bodied red blend,  soft tannins.  75% Cinsault, 25% Pais brought out a lovely freshness. Old vines both, and from different parts of the Valley.  


Maule is one of Chile’s most extensive valleys and has the largest production of wine grapes, but the Secano Interior sector merits special note for the large number of old País and Carignan vineyards still managed using the same techniques inherited from the Spanish Conquistadors—head-trained, low density, and dry farmed to adapt to this area with hot, dry summers and granitic, red clay soils.


País is a variety introduced in Chile by the Spanish conquerors during the 16th century. Cinsault was introduced in Chile during the 1940s to compensate the lack of color and structure of País. When both varieties are blended together, they give life to fresh and light wines.

Both had a gentleness to them that we really enjoyed.

Don’t worry. We have more reviews to catch up on, and we will soon be seeing the Goddess for another Mystery Case!


Finca La Montesa Monte Verga

$33.95

14% Alcohol


CINSAULT PAIS- MORANDE VALLE DEL MAULE 2019

$16.99 regularly $19.99

13% alcohol

UPC: 07804449013125

Cause for a pause in the proceedings

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In North America, Verdejo is hard to come by, but this Spanish grape is well suited for the Mediterranean climate in the Dunnigan Hills (East of Napa and left of Centre).


The grapes were handpicked in the early morning. A portion of the grapes were whole cluster pressed, then the wine was fermented in neutral oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks. Barrel fermented lots were aged 5 months in neutral oak to increase complexity and mouth feel, resulting in a wine that is crisp and refreshing.  

A blend of 89% Verdejo and 11% Chardonnay.


Perfect as an aperitif, this white pairs well with creamy cheeses, spicy shrimp or a salmon salad.  Our vein was similar – Cornish game he with a maple syrup orange glaze. You’ll stop in the middle of something (a mouthful of food or a sip) or mid sentence in a conversation) and realize how engaging this glass of wine is.


The finish is crisp and refreshing with a little pop of minerality. 


Well priced.  and enjoyed well.  I’m going to look for some of their other 19 different varietals. 


VERDEJO – MATCHBOOK TINTO REY DUNNIGAN HILLS 2018

$15.97 regularly $16.97

13% alcohol

UPC: 00859551001444

Chilled but not cold

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This is a nice and simple Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. Showing lots of lemon and citrus notes. Fruit forward and easy drinking. 

A nice pool wine and good for parties too. 

Good right out of the bottle, and good by itself or with food (seafood the first night, and lasagna the next)
Don’t serve it too cold – like it was outside at the moment.

SAUVIGNON BLANC – SINGERSTONE

$13.99 regularly $17.99

13% Alcohol

UPC: 07804426008137

In the valley below

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Not a description I would have originally thought of,  but I agree with one reviewer who called it ‘hefty’


Full.  Fresh.  Earthy.  Oh Yeah!


90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot


At the feet of the majestic Andes Mountains, lies the Intriga Estate,  planted with vines that average of 30 years and give us world-class grapes and wine with excellent structure.      

Pairs very well with mature cheeses and red meats, as well as game  birds and more fatty meats such as duck, lamb or goat.


CABERNET SAUVIGNON – MONTGRAS INTRIGA MAIPO 2017

$24.99 regularly $27.99

14% Alcohol

UPC: 07804407002895

Decidedly Chilean

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Not quite Aussie ‘medium bodied”, but certainly more so than many BC and California Savignons. Stone fruit aromas open up to spicy tones and then a lush oaky finish.  It’s nicely structured.


The wine hails from the Coastal area of Maipo Valley, near the Maipo River – Chile’s prime wine region.  Warm days, cool nights and a dry-ish climate.  Texture and rounded tannins come from French/American oak barrel aging.


Grilled pork chops, peas, and yummy scalloped potatoes were a great accompaniment.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON – CHOCALAN RESERVA MAIPO 2018

$15.49 regularly $17.99

13.9% alcohol

UPC: 07804603660400

We like your attitude

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We’re from the North, but only 30 degrees south of the equator – in the Elqui Valley of Chile.


A couple of thousand feet up with relatively young (2-15 year old) vines. The grapes thrive in the daytime heat and cool nights.

Carmenere is actually an historic Bordeaux varietal and is often mistaken for Merlot.  

The vintner  originally hails from Veneto Italy.


It is a real gem. This Chilean Carmenere has a silky, concentrated palate, and  a dry finish that goes on and on.  It’s best served in a big glass. And continually refilled!

CARMENERE – FALERNIA GRAN RESERVA ELQUI VALLEY 2017

$16.49, regularly $19.99

14.5% alcohol

UPC: 07809623200322

I failed the blind taste test

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My thoughts were that it was from the sun soaked Mediterranean, not South America.


Chicken Pot Pie.  A worthy attempt by someone else doing the baking as we took a night off cooking.  It would have worked well with Pork Chops too.  


The Critics liked this one and there are multiple awards under their belt for it.  Deep in colour, well structured, and it carries right on through with a nice long finish.


The higher up the mountain, the greener grows the grass. And the grapes hang on to their flavour with this easy to drink vino. Touches of Syrah (4%), Carmenere (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%) round out very nicely the Cabernet Sauvignon.  Then a bit of time is spent in French and American Oak.


This is superb value from the Maipo Andes.  Definitely goes on the repeat list.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON – PEREZ CRUZ RESERVA 2017

$16.99

13.5 % Alcohol

UPC: 00858130000014