Casa Lapostolle 'Cuvee Alexandre' Carmenere 2007 Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua, Chile - outstanding example of the varietal

Tasting Notes

5/30/09
Carmenere has come a long ways since our first introduction to the varietal well over a decade ago. The better versions have now worked away from the greener tones while still shading the fruit with some unique savory, dried herbal nuances. Casa Lapostolle’s single vineyard version is a real turn on with its exotic combo of ripe fruit, cocoa powder and tobacco leaf components on the nose. Fuller bodied and layered this shows a fleshy texture with a core of dark current fruit that will only get better with a little bottle age. Not much of this beauty is available but it’s impressive for its unique flavor profile. Think of something with the suppleness of a Merlot with the spicy tones of Shiraz.

Food Accompaniments

Beef, lamb

Awards, Reviews and other Notes

90 pts Wine Spectator 6/15/09
Quite toasty, with cocoa powder and espresso notes up front, followed by muscular macerated currant and fig fruit flavors mingling with a maduro tobacco hint. The long, fleshy finish has a nice graphite edge lurking underneath. Needs to settle in, but should age nicely. Drink now through 2010.

Price

SKU

Varietal

$24.99

8313

Other Red