South America

Red Wines in Purple ~ White Wines in Green

Reviews:

1999 Suter Merlot Argentina $9

A pleasant and simple Merlot with a black cherry-red color of light to medium depth. The bouquet is fruity with cherry and red berry aromas. Medium bodied, dry, and straightforward. Cherry flavors dominate this wine that is 13.7% alcohol. On the palate the high alcohol is integrated, but there is some heat, which, is somewhat, balanced by the smooth mouth-coating feel of this wines fruit. The finish is dry.

Tasted 3/10/02

2001 Torrealba Cabernet Sauvignon Chile $7

Another well valued Cab. from Chile. A brilliant and deep purple/red color. The bouquet is attractive and Bordeaux-like with Blackberry, currant, vanilla, and oak aromas. Dry and clean with good structure and smooth mouth-feel. Medium bodied with flavors that mimic the aromas and a nice acidicness. The finish is smooth and dry, leaving one satisfied. Worth every penny.

Tasted 3/7/03

Humberto Canale is another winery worth checking out. Their wines have been reviewed on WinePhilosopher.com in pass issues of "Wine Reviews". All have received good ratings, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet-Merlot blend.

1996 Humberto Canale Malbec Argentina $12

Located only 1500 miles from Antarctica I feel that Humberto Canale is producing excellent wine for the price. This wine shows a dark burgundy color. Blackberry and black cherry aromas with hints of spice and vanilla oak. Medium to full bodied with firm tannins and deep fruit that is still a bit closed when first opened. Deep and dry with rich black plum, licorice, fig, and some mixed spice flavors. The finish is dry. This wine is built to handle rich and full flavored foods.

Tasted 1/6/03

2001 Humberto Canale Semillon Argentina $9

This wine offers plenty of class and interesting character for the price. We don’t see the Semillon grape used as a single varietal wine too often. In Bordeaux it is blended with Sauvignon Blanc to make very good dry white wines and also the great desert wines of Sauternes and Barsac.

This dry wine shows a brilliant golden color. The bouquet is appealing with golden and green fruit, apples, and mild spice notes. Dry, medium bodied, and smooth on the palate with some of the richness of Chardonnay and some of the grassy citrus flavors of Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate there is pear, golden apples, and citrus flavors that end in a smooth finish.

Tasted 12/06/02

This next two wines are from a Peruvian Winery named Tacama. They are nice wines for the price and definitely worth a try. Their web site is: www.tacama.com

2002 Tacama Blanco de Blanco Ica Valley Peru $9

I’m sure I can safely say that most wine lovers outside of Peru or South America have not tasted many Peruvian wines. I have only tasted a few but I am impressed with the quality/price ratio. This dry and crisp wine is an interesting blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Viognier. I don’t know what the percentage of each grape is but in taste and style the Sauvignon Blanc is the dominant grape. In is most akin to a white Bordeaux. A bright straw color with grassy aromas of flower petals and citrus. This light bodied wine is dry, clean, and refreshing on the palate. Delicate in structure with a crisp acidity. The mineral, grapefruit, lime, and tangy fruit flavors work well together. The finish is again bone dry, clean, and crisp.

Tasted 1/26/02

2002 Tacama ‘Seleccion Especial’ Ica Valley Peru $9

Made from the Petit Verdot and Tannat grapes this wine is a solid, deep fruit driven wine. Dark burgundy red in color. The bouquet is slightly gamy with raspberry, black plum, and musk. Deep fruit flavors of black raspberry, pomegranate, and dark red fruit. Dry, Medium to full bodied, with some hard, mouth puckering tannins that don’t surprise me considering the grapes used. The tannins work well with the bright grapey fruit, like those found in a Cote du Rhone wine. The finish is dry with good fruit and a touch of spice. This wine is most akin to one from the southern Rhone.

Tasted 2/01/03

The following three wines are from the Torrealba Vineyard, located in the Curico Valley of Chile. These wines offer very good value and plenty of quality for the dollar.

The Curico Valley is in the Maule region of Chile. It’s one of the most promising viticulture regions of South America. Many of Chile’s finer wines are coming from this area.

1999 Torrealba Cabernet Sauvignon “Reserve” Curico Valley Chile $10

This is a well made Cab. with refinement and some complexity, especially for the price. A dark and brilliant purple-red color. A luring bouquet of blackberry, cassis, and vanilla oak that reminds one of a good Bordeaux. Dry with rich layered fruit and balanced oak notes. The texture is rich and creamy on the palate with refined tannins and flavors that reflex the aromas. The finish lingers on the palate with this wines attractive flavors. A must try…

Tasted 12/4/02

2001 Torrealba Merlot Curico Valley Chile $7

A beautifully darkish red colored Merlot. The bouquet offers red plums, wild berries, and vanilla aromas. Medium bodied, soft and dry with some refined tannins. Flavors of blueberry, currants, and red fruit stay on the palate into the dry finish.

Tasted 12/3/02

2001 Torrealba Chardonnay Curico Valley Chile $7

Stainless steal fermentation give this wine a Fresh, and fruity character. Very light gold in color with floral aromas and a touch of spice on the nose. Light in body, dry, and crisp with a clean mouth-feel. Flavors of green apples and pears and a lively finish.

Tasted 11/23/02

2001 Catena Chardonnay “Agrelo Vineyards” Mendoza Argentina $19

This is a big style of Chardonnay with plenty of concentrated fruit. Estate-bottled and golden in color with an oaky bouquet of honeyed white fruit, vanilla, banana, and pineapple aromas. A slight touch of sweetness in the background that is mostly hidden, by the firm fruit and forward oak. A good acidity with more then its share of oak. These components are balanced by deep golden apple, pineapple, and vanilla cream flavors. The oak is also apparent in the full finish. Still young and will soften and become more complex with two or three years in the bottle.

Tasted 10/7/02

2000 Luis Felipe Edwards Chardonnay Colchaqua, Chile $9

A light yellow-straw color with a semi-penetrating bouquet of golden apples, melon, mango, and subtle spice aromas. Dry and balanced with light tropical-fruit, apple, and vanilla bean flavors. A bit of firmness in the structure and a dry finish.

Tasted 8/5/02

2000 La Mision Pinot Noir Chile $9

This is an elegant Pinot Noir that is French-like is style. Light is body and color with wild berry and red plum, mulberry, and allspice aromas. Good texture on the palate with berry, spice, and new oak flavors. The finish is dry. This wine offers some complexity for the price.

Tasted 8/6/02

1999 Cousino-Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Antigas Reservas Chile $13

A balanced Cab that is somewhat California-like in style. Blackish-red and deep in color. A creamy bouquet of blackberry, cassis, licorice, and vanilla oak. Medium bodied and balanced with length and some silky components on the palate. The flavors are a bit light but good with small black fruit, plums, chocolate, and oak. The finish is dry and coats the palate.

Tasted 8/5/02

1996 Humberto Canale Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva Argentina $13

It’s always a treat to find a wine in today’s market that is mature enough to have integrated flavors without having to be decanted and aired. A brilliant dark red color that shows no signs of fading. The bouquet is deep with blackberry, cassis, and oak aromas. Medium bodied, dry, with a lively acidity. A good structure that is showing no flabbiness. Rich and balanced flavors of black raspberry, plum skins, and oak with integrated tannins. The finish is dry with good fruit.

Tasted 9/13/02

2000 La Mision Chardonnay Chile $9

William Fevre of Chablis fame makes this wine. William Fevre produces some of Chablis’ great wines including ones from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards. So there is no doubt that he can make good to great wines from the Chardonnay grape. Like other wineries and winemakers from France, Italy, and California, William Fevre is now making wine in Chile.

A light golden color with a layered and Burgundy-like bouquet of toasty vanilla oak, golden apples, and mineral aromas. Well structured, dry, and showing some complexity. The flavors are like the aromas with roasted nuts, a touch of spice, and a dry finish. French is style, like a Chardonnay from the Maconnais or the Cote Chalonnaise. A great value!

Tasted 7/8/02

1999 Santa Ema Merlot Reserve Chile $12

This estate-bottled wine is purple in color with aromas of mixed berries, and vanilla. After an hour of airing this medium bodied wine becomes smoother and more balanced. Blackberry, plum, oak, and milk chocolate flavors. Some tannins and a dry finish.

Tasted 6/22/02

2000 Tapiz Merlot Mendoza, Argentina $ 8.50

What a good wine for $8.50. One of the best values I’ve come across in a while. Dark purple in color. A deep bouquet of blackcurrants, and vanilla. Dry, medium to full bodied, with a palate coating texture and refined tannins. Plum, blackberry, and oaky vanilla flavors. The finish is dry with notes of oak and refined tannins

Tasted 5/18/02

1999 Concha Y Toro “Marques Casa Concha” Cabernet Sauvignon Chile $13

A limited production wine that has been barrel-aged in French oak for 14 months. A very dark purple color. Blackberry, cassis, vanilla, and dark fruit aromas. Medium to full bodied with refined tannins, a good firm structure, and length. Deep flavors of black plums, currants, coffee, and figs give this wine some complexity. The finish is dry and coats the palate.

Tasted 5/7/02

2001 Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc Chile $8

A light gold color with citrus and mineral aromas on the nose. Crisp and clean with kiwi and grapefruit flavors. A nice lively structure and a finish that is soft and dry. Good Value!!!

Tasted 3/8/02

1995 Humberto Canale Cabernet-Merlot Grand Reserva Argentina $12

This seven-year-old wine is just starting to show its true nature. A dark ruby/purple color with currants, deep berries, and vanilla oak aromas and flavors. Medium to full bodied with a rich and balanced feel. Bordeaux like in style and a finish that is dry with oak and dark fruit flavors.

Tasted 3/8/02

1998 Humberto Canale Merlot Argentina $12

This is not one of those flabby and soft Merlots, but is deeper and more structured in style like a wine from Pomerol, Bordeaux. A bright deep burgundy red color. The bouquet is firm with blackberry and vanilla aromas. Medium bodied and dry with a silky and elegant mouth feel. The flavors show a good balance between the oak and dark fruit. This wine is unfiltered and you will find sediments in the bottle, which is a sign that this wine was made in a natural way retaining all it's subtle flavors. The finish like the rest of this wine is balanced, well structured and European in style.

Tasted 1/23/02

2000 Vina Santa Berta Beau Pays Chile $6.50

This wine is a great value and shows some Bordeaux-like characterizes. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mission grapes. A medium purple/red color with currant and berry aromas that are also displayed in the taste. Good structure and depth for the price. A soft, fruity, and dry finish top off this wine.

Tasted 10/1/01

1999 Miguel Torres “Santa Digna” Cabernet Sauvignon Chile $12 at The Vineyard Wine and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y.

Dark purple in color (In general, Chilean reds have a deep dark color). The bouquet is filled with cassis, berry, oak, and other typical Cab. aromas. These aromas along with some spice and vanilla are also reflected in the taste of this medium to full bodied wine. The finish is dry with some soft tannins.

Tasted 10/13/01

1996 Humberto Canale Malbec Argentina $12 at The Vineyard Wine and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y.

Wines from Argentina are starting to emerge on the U.S. market as very good quality wines. The Malbec grape does very well in Argentina and is being planted more and more. This wine shows a good dark purple/red color. Ripe fruit on the nose. A rich and warm feel to it, but a little flabby in structure. Currant, plum, and blackberry flavors. The finish shows ripe fruit.

Tasted 10/13/01

2000 Summer Breese Chardonnay Chile $9.00 $13 at The Vineyard Wine and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y.

A crisp style of Chardonnay that has seen no oak. A light golden color, with some spice in the bouquet. Light in body with green apple flavors, and a touch of tartness. A dry finish.

Tasted 10/13/01

1997 Carpe Diem Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Chile. $11 at The Vineyard Wine and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y.

Dark purple color with rich currant, blackberry, and vanilla on the nose. Dry, showing good juice, tannins, and some Bordeaux characterizes. The aromas of the bouquet are reflected in the taste. Finishes dry and rich. Let air an hour or two before serving.

Tasted 9/21/01

1999 Trapiche Chardonnay “Oak Cask” Argentine White $7.99 at PJ’s Wine & Spirits in Middletown N.Y.

I have not tasted many wines from Argentina, but the ones I did try offered a pleasant surprise. This Chardonnay is more European then Californian in style. A light golden color with a toasty bouquet. The taste shows crisp apple and pear flavors mixed with roasted nuts, oak, and some butter. The finish is dry with some tartness. Definitely worth the price. Tasted 6/30/01

1999 Terra Noble Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Chilean Red $12.99 at Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y.

Mike Costanzo at Liquor Outlet suggested that I do what I’m calling a “time lapse tasting”. In other words I will open this bottle of wine, taste it, wait a few hours and taste it again, and continue doing this to see how the wine changes with time and airing.

4pm Just opened: A very dark, inky color of purple. The bouquet is full with deep Cabernet fruit and oak. Smooth Silky mouth feel, with layered berry fruit, oak, and vanilla flavors. Showing some tannins and tightness, but still quit elegant. Nice fruit in the finish, which coats the pallet

. 8pm: Bouquet has become fuller with more pronounced fruit. The taste is now dryer with more complexity, and the finish shows more tannins and wood.

Next day at 7:00pm: This wine has really come together. The tannins have mellowed out and are adding complexity to the lush fruit. So smooth and balanced. All components of this wine have open up and improved from yesterday.

This is a great wine for 13 dollars. This wine is of limited production so I would run to get some while you can.

Tasted 5/6/01 and 5/7/01

1999 Dallas-Conte Cabernet Sauvignon Chilean Red. $7.99 at Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y.

This is a simple Cabernet Sauvignon that does not show much, but it is a nice house wine and worth the price. Like many Chilean Cab’s the color is dark. The bouquet lets you know it’s a Cab. Taste is dry with nice fruit. The finish is again dry and calls for food. Tasted 2/28/01

1998 Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay “Casablanca Valley” Chilean White $8.99 at Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y.

This is one of the better Chilean Chardonnay’s that I have tasted, in this price range. It has a nice golden/yellow color. The bouquet exhibits oak and rip fruit. The taste is the best part, and is tightly structured with a round, lush fruit, and toasty oak. The finish is round with an appealing oak. This is a must try for Chardonnay lovers and especially white burgundy lovers. Tasted 3/1/01

1998 Castillo de Molina: Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Chilean Red $9.99 at Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y.

A nice Cab. for 10 bucks. It is not very complex but offers nice balanced fruit, and a silky texture. The color has depth, and a blackberry hue. The bouquet is rich with floral and berry like aromas. Medium bodied with silky fruit and vanilla flavors. It finishes medium dry and coats the pallet with a smooth lushness. Let it air about one hour before servicing it really seems to open up and become more lush. Tasted 2/21/01

1999 Terra Noble Chardonnay Chilean White. $7.99 at Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y.

A nice everyday Chardonnay. A light yellow-slightly green color. It has crisp green apple aromas. The taste is dry, and nutty with a lively ting to it. On the back label they use the word ”banana” to help describe the taste, it sounds funny at first, but I can really see (or taste) what they mean. It finishes dry with a slight vanilla favor. Tasted 2/24/01

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