The long lost 6th grape of Bordeaux. It made its was to Chile in the 19th century, having been planted alongside other grapes. This presumably led to a ‘confusion’ between it and merlot, although a distinction is said to have been generally known, carmenere having typically being referred to as “merlot Chileno”.

But it was in 1994 that ampelographist Jean Michel Bousiquot from Montpelielier University discovered that it was indeed carmenere that Chile had been cultivating. The existence of carmenere was discovered in Carmen Vineyards on…you guessed it: November 24. Since the 90s, it has taken off and is seen as a now uniquely Chilean grape.

While it can be a tricky varietal to produce, since it can teeter between being too green if underripe and too flat if overripe, at its sweet spot, carmenere in Chile offers the lovely, spicy blackcurrant notes of cabernet sauvignon while maintaining the more smooth and rich texture of merlot. Keep an eye out for offerings from the regions of Peumo and Apalta and go find yourself a bottle or two and celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chilean carmenere!

Cheers!

Cencibel, Tinto Fino, Ull de Llebre, Tinta de Toro…  This lovely and sexy red varietal hails from the traditional lands of Spain, main- staying in the Rioja region.  Known by a variety of names all fitting appropriately to it’s characteristics, Tempranillo, for the most part, is a grape that perhaps deserves more recognition than what it currently has.  Tempranillo reds are sexy, lean, colorful and delicate at the same time.  Think about a ballerina.  Underneath that demure and delicate exterior, lies pounds of lean, mean muscle.  Ready to jump at you at a moments notice.  Hovering and twirling over the air with the skill of an acrobat yet the delicateness of a mime.  Unlike your big and bold flavor profile, classic varietals, Tempranillo takes its sensitive time to introduce itself.  Traditionally speaking, a glass will give you hints of brett which develop into more complex overtures of fruit and wood, a stable of aromas blend seemingly in unison.  Like an equestrian race, Tempranillo carries all the intensity, excitement yet refinement of its much more famous competitors yet its followers are a graceful few.  Perhaps with more exposure and time, this lovely export will be a regular at tables and wine lists all over.

Recently, efforts have been made to develop this red in the New World.  Be on the lookout for such producers from Oregon State, California, Australia, Argentina, Chile, even Mexico and Texas.  I’m sure it would be quite interesting to taste the difference between a traditional Rioja Tempranillo and Tempranillo 2.0 produced in the New World.

And remember, you don’t have to slay a bull to drink it’s blood, just open up a bottle of Tinta de Toro and enjoy with company over cheese and ham.

Modest Recommendations :  Ideally go for at least a Reserva or Gran Reserva

Dehesa La Granja 2004    100% Tempranillo

Viña Cubillo 2005    65% Tempranillo

Most wine aficionados have become well-acquainted with the famous Judgment of Paris. In 1976, Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant, organized a wine competition intended to pit top-notch Bordeaux reds and Burgundian whites against select California Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. Despite being hosted in Paris and having been scored by French wine judges, it turned out to be that California ended up with the top spot in both red (Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 1973) and white (Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 1973) categories. The French were snubbed by their own scoring, the underdog Americans came out on top and, as the movie Bottle Shock showed, Chris Pine rides off into the sunset (or perhaps just onto the set of the next Star Trek movie).

However…a less well-known get together happened 28 years later, and is effectively the Chilean equivalent. A similar event coordinated by Eduardo Chadwick, president of Viña Errázuriz, was created in 2004 (with Steven Spurrier in attendance, to boot), hosting 36 international wine experts and critics, involving not just classic Bordeaux reds, but an Italian Super Tuscan as well. When all was said and done, the top 10 ranked as follows:

1- Viñedo Chadwick 2000
2- Seña 2001
3- Château Lafite-Rothschild 2000
4- Château Margaux 2001
4- Seña 2000
6- Viñedo Chadwick 2001
6- Château Margaux 2000
6- Château Latour 2000
9- Don Maximiano 2001
10- Château Latour 2001
10- Solaia 2000

Chile had won both 1st and 2nd place. Even more impressive is the fact that a number of the French wines were 2000 vintage, one of the best in Bordeaux in recent history. This is still considered a defining moment for catapulting Chile onto an international stage of top-tier quality.

At one of our recent tastings, we opened up a bottle of 1997 Seña (pictured; this began as a collaborative effort between Chadwick and Robert Mondavi to produce a Chilean icon wine) and it appeared to be the favorite of the night; fruit and spices still amazingly ripe and mixed with this beautiful rustic Saint Julien character. Also tasted were a 2000 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Cornas Les Grandes Terrasses and a 2005 Château Gloria, both showing nicely as well.

Also pictured is a 2001 Seña which, as the list above shows, was the vintage that outshone the Bordeauxs back in 2004. That one, however, might sleep quietly for a while longer…

Cheers!