Revisiting the latest vintage of a nice evening wind down wine from Aldi, the tasty but uncomplicated Dancing Flame Ojos del Salado Red Blend.
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Carmenere and 10% Syrah from Central Valley, Chile.
This wine is available exclusively at Aldi and sells for just $5.99. It is imported by Prestige Wine & Spirits Group and produced by Vina Luis Felip Edwards who also make the Dancing Flame Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (at Aldi) and the Loma Negra Rosé from Trader Joe's.
From the bottle:
Origin: Valle Central, Chile
Taste: Dry
Style: Full-Bodied
Notes: Bursting with blackberry and cherry flavors with a hint of spice and mocha on the finish.
Food: Pairs well with grilled meats and vegetables, pasta with red sauce, hard cheeses, or simply on its own.
Temp: Best when served at room temperatureBottled by Vina Luis Felipe Edwards LTDA
13% Alcohol
In our experience Cabernet from Chile can be a bit of mixed bag, especially at this low of a price point. It's often loaded with pyrazine notes from the less ripe fruit common in cooler climates. When; however, it has just a touch of green pepper like today's wine, it can be quite enjoyable.
The 2022 Dancing Flame Ojos del Salado Red Blend begins with an attractive aroma of ripe blackberry and spice with touches of vanilla and a bit more green pepper in this vintage.
Taking a sip reveals a simple and tasty wine that is juicy and smooth. The primary flavors are dark fruit and spice but it does continue to show a touch of green pepper (pyrazine) when tasting.
It ends dry with good length and lingering cola, dark fruit, spice and a bit of a herbal note. It was probably at its best on day 2.
Overall, this is a nice, easy to drink middle of the week evening wind down wine - it doesn't take much thought, just sit back and enjoy. We didn't think it was quite as good as the last vintage we reviewed, the 2020, but it was still good enough to be recommended thanks to the very low price.
Check out our Guide to Aldi Wine! Includes information about the business model, how it compares to Trader Joe's and of course all of our recommended wine at Aldi USA!
You can also find more of our favorite red blends here.
