Carmenère…The Con Artist

Originally widely grown in Bordeaux, and considered nearly the equal of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere was long considered to be nonexistent in the modern day wine world. As a grape it is phinicky and can be tricky to cultivate. The vinterners of Bordeaux used it to add complexity and gerth to their wines. In the late 1800s a fun little pest called phylloxera ate it’s way through the vineyards of Bordeaux. Due to Carmenere’s picky persona it was never resurrected in France after the replanting post phylloxera. Alas…we thought all was lost.

Chilean Carmenere

The underground world of wine has saved Carmenere. Clippings, most likely taken illegally, escaped to Chile prior to the phylloxera outbreak. The vines were mistakenly planted, cultivated and bottles labeled as Merlot until 1996. It was then that vintners began to distinguisht he difference between the two and bottles bearing the grape name Carmenere began to show up on shelves. Not only does Chile make an excellent single varietal Carmenere, but we now have evidence that it is a pre-phylloxera French vine, a gem stone to wine lovers all over the world.

Carmenere

Carmenere is a complex and devious grape, with a unique personality in the bottle. Other areas are quickly picking up on Chile’s golden nugget and attempting to cultivate cuttings of this epic find. Given it’s newness and economy of the region it hails from, Carmenere is a beautiful and complex glass that is easy on the pocket book.

Beware that not all bottle from Chile are made equal!!! Check out atleast one or two of these recommendations (by yours truly) before you judge…
Clos Apalta” wine from Casa Lapostolle Rapal Valley
Concha y Toro Carmenere Casillero del Diablo Rapel Valley (Wine Spectator 85 & Parker 85 for 2007)
Concha y Toro Carmenere Terrunyo Peumo Vineyard Block 27 Rapel Valley
Arboleda Carmenere Colchagua Valley (Wine Spectator 87 Parker 82 for 2007)
Inama Oratorio di San Lorenzo Veneto Rosso (Wine Spectator 93 & Parker 91 for 2004)