75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère, 10% Syrah and 5% Malbec from Colchagua, Chile.
SRP of $20 and available for as low as $12. Sample received courtesy Pasternak Wine Imports for review purposes.
From the bottle:
"Los Vascos, one of Chile's oldest wine estates, is managed by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), who began a comprehensive modernization and investment program in 1988. The 560 - hectare vineyard is located in the Cañeten valley of the Colchagua province which offers a healthy microclimate for its ungrafted pre-phylioxera Bordeaux rootstock. Under the direct technical supervision of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), Los Vascos is committed to producing the finest consistent and balanced wines whose elegance and harmony are to be shared with connaisseurs around the world. A very well balanced wine with intense aromas of red fruit. Wonderfully concentrated, velvety and luscious in the mouth.
14.0% Alcohol"
Today's wine, while technically a Cabernet, is really more of a blend. (Remember a wine just needs to contain at least 75% of one variety to be labeled a single varietal.) That's certainly not a criticism though, as this is one finely tuned Cabernet-based blend. A little Carmemere, Syrah and a dollop of Malbec give this wine a really nice character.
The 2009 Domaines Barons De Rothschild (Lafite) Los Vascos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon begins with really nice aromas of blackberry, cedar, some herbal notes, lots of cinnamon and other spice and a little vanilla. The wine tastes rich and smooth with tangy fruit flavors of sour black cherry and other red berries. It also has some light herbal notes, a little cedar just like the bouquet and a bit of licorice shows up as well. The finish pulls it all together with slowly developing spice and good length. Overall this is a very good wine. Give it a little time to breathe to get the best experience. Also check out our review of the Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc.
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
Overall Rating: 7.8
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