Rio Itata (Chile) Carmenere 2000
Great grog continue to show the kind of wine-nut mentality that sets them apart, by sourcing some cracking bin-end bargains and, instead of knocking 50p off them to make a killing, passing them on at knock- down prices to a clued-in band of grog followers. Here we have a consumately juicy, rich, sweet-fruited example of Chile’s ace-in-the-pack, Carmenere. The nose is filled with creamy black plum, hints of chocolate and a cedary nuance. On the palate that sumptuous ripe fruit floods across the tongue with a little cherry edge of acidity and a background of tannin to keep it sharp. Opulent, sweet and beautifully focused. Was 5.69, now 3.99 from greatgrog.co.uk . Make up a case with the fine Willandra Chardonnay from Australia, with its layers of buttered toast and intense tropical fruit (down 1 to 4.69) or the impossibly fruity Australian powerhouse, the Ironstone Shiraz Grenache 1998, at 5.89
