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South Of The Border - Chilean Wines
Concha Y Toro
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Tuesday, October 21, 2003
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Speaker: Sebastian Lopez, fine wine specialist for Concha Y Toro Winery
Sebastian Lopez led us through a tasting of 12 of his wines. Chile is over 4,000 miles long and only 65 miles wide, with the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the Andes Mountains on the east. Owning over 9,000 acres and 19 different vineyards, the company, founded in 1883, is now the largest selling imported wine in the US. They plant according to the weather and terroir.
Special thanks to Ranald Hay who assisted Ron Kapon with the tasting, voting and review since the Tramontana's were away on vacation.
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| Flight I: White Wines |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Terrunyo Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Comes from a valley close to the ocean in an area called Casablanca whose influence leads to slow ripening. Only 900 cases produced in gravelly soil. Green apples, passion fruit, mandarin and citrus. |
0 |
$15.00 |
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Casilliero Del Diablo Chardonnay 2001
Also from Casablanca; 100% Chardonnay with fresh tropical fruit, pineapple, balanced acidity and full bodied. 15% of this wine is aged in oak. |
4 |
$8.99 |
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Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2002
From the foothills of the Andes Mountains in the Maipo Valley. 100% barrel fermented and aged in oak for 7 ½ months. Creamy crisp acidity, with hints of papaya and vanilla and a light sparkle on the tongue. |
3 |
$13.00 |
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Terrunyo Chardonnay 2000
From the Casablanca region; only 900 cases produced. Intense nose with citrus, tropical fruit. 60% is aged in oak. The favorite in this flight.
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12 |
$18.00 |
| Flight II: Merlot/Malbec |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Casillero Del Diablo Merlot 2002
100% Merlot with 75% aged in American oak for 6 to 8 months. This wine is from the Rapel Valley which is at sea level and surrounded by mountains. The nose was ripe with cherry, spiced meat, currant and plum flavors. |
0 |
$8.99 |
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Marques de Casa Concha Merlot 2001
The only under $15 Merlot to receive a 90 point rating from The Wine Spectator. Spends 1 year in French oak and reminded the speaker of a St. Emilion. Plums, black pepper, cassis and spice were some of the characteristics in this elegant wine. The slight favorite in this flight. |
10 |
$13.00 |
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Xplorador Malbec 2000
100% Malbec from this rich, spicy wine that is bottled in Argentina in a winery owned by Concha Y Toro. Mint, raspberry, strawberry, ripe plums and chocolate were found.
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9 |
$5.00 |
| Flight III: Cabernet Sauvignon |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Casillero Del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Spends 7 months in American oak. Sold in 101 countries with Mexico the #1 market, followed by Finland. 75% aged in American oak for 6 to 8 months. Not complex with red cherries, black plums and spice. |
0 |
$8.99 |
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Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere 2002
This is a grape once used in Bordeaux and a part of the Cabernet Sauvignon family. The wine is 90% Carmenere and 10% Cabernet. It has the spice of a Syrah; it is soft like a Merlot; and has the body of a Cabernet. From the Rapel Valley and grown on clay soil. 70% aged in American oak for 6 months. Plums, chocolate, black pepper and spice on the nose; elegant wine. |
10 |
$8.99 |
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Marques De Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
From the Maipo Valley and is 100% Cabernet and aged in French oak. The area gets almost no rain and produces a heavy, rich wine with spicy overtones. |
4 |
$13.00 |
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Terrunyo Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Also from the Maipo Valley this wine is 85% Cabernet, 10% Carmenere and 5% Merlot. Soft and Bordeaux like with hints of tobacco, red berries and cedar; well balanced. The slight winner in this flight where people each got to vote for 2 favorites. |
11 |
$28.00 |
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Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Another Maipo Valley wine that is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. The soil in the region is poor and there is no rain; it is 95 during the day and 45 at night. Named after the founder of the winery this wine is big and rich with ripe fruit and berries, tobacco, coffee and chocolate and a long finish.
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10 |
$38.00 |
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