Vina Ventisquero, Queulat Carmenere 2009, Chile
One of Bordeaux’s almost forgotten grapes, Carmenere, was suddenly discovered alive and well – and thriving – in Chile where for decades it had been mis-identified as Merlot. This has 5% of Syrah in the blend and is a single-vineyard wine from the Maipo Valley just south of the capital Santiago, but it comes from a relatively new sub-region called Trinidad, which is said to be cooler with a coastal influence. On the nose there’s masses of pepper and spice, but really good black fruit and a touch of chocolaty richness. There’s a tiny green edge, which only adds complexity. On the palate it is fleshy and full of black fruit, with again plenty of spice from the fruit and from ageing in American and French oak. It has chocolate richness and power, but there’s a defined edge to this, in the quality of acidity and tannin from those cooler vineyards. Big and juicy, there are more details and food-matching suggestions in the video. 10.40, Slurp.co.uk, see all stockists on .
