Vina Ventisquero, ‘Grey’ Carmenere 2010, Chile
Chile’s signature grape Carmenere features on wine-pages fairly regularly, but this bottle comes from an interesting project being run by the large Ventisquero winery, where they are trying to match grape varieties to very specific plots to give absolutely optimum conditions that suit each variety. This comes from such a small plot in Maipo, and has a lovely nose, filled with rich black fruit. Eighteen months in French oak adds creaminess and spice, and there’s a peppery, juicy freshness too. On the palate it’s a big wine (with 14% alcohol) and a background of mocha-like spice and richness sits beneath all that glossy black fruit, though the tannin and acid axis, as well as more of that peppery freshness, balances the picture very nicely. Stylish, delicious and no doubt will cellar well for a few years too. More details and food matching ideas in the video. Around £12.99, Wholefoods and see all stockists on wine-searcher.
