A few buddies and I settled into some Chilcas Cabernet yesterday and found the need to send a runner to get more vino. ‘Coolio’ was duly dispatched while my Russian friend ‘Edvard’ and I held the fort. He returned with the 2012 version of Chilcas Carmenere. I panned the 2011 badly and only gave it 1 star so I was skeptical about this wine. I was in for a surprise.
Bargain basement pricing of $9 for a liter would make most people nervous about the quality, but this wine is very well made for what it is. The nose showed bright red fruits and a touch of oak. On the palate, very fruity with a forward expression of red currants, raspberries and cranberry. The wine is made in a very easy style with very little tannic framework but with juicy acidity. This is a pop-n-pour wine that would pair nicely with charcuterie and olives or perhaps a BBQ of burgers, dogs, slaw and some baked beans. 87 points but 5 stars for over delivering on the quality/price ratio. Think party and you will be buying this by the case. Salut….