We received the product for review and all opinions are our own.
South America is a spectacular place on earth where you will find own rooted vitis vinifera grapevines, and a rich history of French grapes that seemed to have been lost. Malbec found itself as a true leader in Argentina, while Carménère seemed to be gone forever… That was, until it was discovered there were parcels of this long lost grape growing in Chile for decades. The growers originally thought it was Merlot for some time! Fast forward to present day and Carménère is a very well-known and respected grape in Chile. Although similar to Merlot in structure, the opaque extracted color and “green” notes make for a very distinct wine.
Up for review happens to be a gorgeous Carménère from Natura Wines made by Emiliana, which is a line of wines produced utilizing 100% organically grown grapes. We were very excited to taste and review one of their wines so we could evaluate a high quality Chilean red wine made with organic grapes. Natura prides itself in bringing to the consumer the highest quality wines possible, made from the best organic fruit available in Chile. Once the cork was wrestled away from the bottle neck, the wine pours into the glass a very opaque-deep ruby with a magenta rim. This wine is seriously near black in color, as a fully ripe Carménère should be in my opinion. When you swirl the glass, deep concentrated aromas of blackberry, black cherry, peppercorn, and saddle leather leap into the air. The palate confirms the nose with the addition of the telltale bell pepper notes for which this grape is famous. The balance is near perfect in the mouth and the finish is smooth.
Specifications:
- Natura/Emiliana Carménère, 2014 vintage
- Winemaker: Emilio Contreras
- Appellation: Chile, Valle De Colchagua
- Grape Varieties: Carménère
- Clarity/brightness: Clear/bright with no detectable flaws and no evidence of gas or sediment
- Tannins: Medium
- Acidity: Medium plus
- Alcohol: Medium
- Finish: Medium
- Alcohol by volume: 13.5%
- Wine glass: Louigi Bormioli symphony
I must confess, I really dig this organic red wine. I expected a tightly wound and uneventful wine after seeing the 2014 vintage on the label, but this wine was surprisingly drinkable right from the get go. The mouthfeel is well rounded and there was no need to decant at all. If you are looking for an organically grown, gluten-free wine from Chile, Natura is an excellent choice. This wine is super drinkable right now, or you can cellar it for a while to let it continue to evolve in the bottle for another year or two.
Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.
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