Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Carménère - Tour of Chile Wine #7

100% Carménère from Peumo Vineyard, Rapel Valley, Chile.

Sample submitted for review. SRP of $20 but available for as low as $15.99.

From the bottle:

"D.O. Peumo - Chile

This Carmenere is from our historic Peumo vineyards situated above the north bank of the Rapel Vallet's Cachopoal River. Strikingly elegant aromas of ripe dark fruits, spices and black pepper abound while the sixteen months in French oak lend further delicious chocolate and vanilla notes. Sweet, round tannins draw out the voluptuous finish.

14.0% Alcohol"

Since we have young children we end up drinking most of our wine on its own after they have gone to bed. As such, we're not big on getting the absolute right food pairing -- we like a wine that tastes good on its own. And we're not alone on that, recent surveys have shown that more Americans than not tend to drink wine apart from food, a fact that certainly throws the French into a tizzy. However, this is the second Carménère from Concha y Toro we have tried, and much like the first, it is a wine that makes you crave a steak. A match made in heaven, really.

The 2009 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Carménère begins with a subdued but good nose featuring aromas of plum, black cherry, blackberry, spice and vanilla. The wine tastes of dark fruit flavors, licorice and a little vanilla. This is big wine with a smooth, silky, rich texture that opens up nicely with a little air. The long finish features lots of oaky spice but it doesn't get out of balance. A very satisfying wine on its own, and I'm guessing it would be fabulous with a steak.

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.