Winemaker Notes
The 2016 vintage of Koyle Royale Carmenere has spicy aromas of blackberry, black plum and black cherry with woodsy notes. Palate of black fruit, slate and black tea, with chocolate, peppercorn and blackberry finsih. Medium body and silky medium tannins.
Blend: 85% Carmenere, 8% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot
Pair with beef tenderloin, duck, Indian curry. Decant 30 minutes prior to serving.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Another fully mature 2016 that’s still got rather good harmony with nice, fresh acidity, but the aromas are edging in the direction of morbid sweetness. In fact, it reminds me of blackcurrant pie that’s been hanging around a bit too long.
Dark, full-bodied and herbaceous with a spicy kick, Carménère found great success with its move to Chile in the mid-19th century. However, the variety went a bit undercover until 1994 when many plantings previously thought to be Merlot, were profiled as Carménère. Somm Secret— Carménère is both a progeny and a great-grandchild of the similarly flavored Cabernet Franc.
Well-regarded for intense and exceptionally high quality red wines, the Colchagua Valley is situated in the southern part of Chile’s Rapel Valley, with many of the best vineyards lying in the foothills of the Coastal Range.
Heavy French investment and cutting-edge technology in both the vineyard and the winery has been a boon to the local viticultural industry, which already laid claim to ancient vines and a textbook Mediterranean climate.
The warm, dry growing season in the Colchagua Valley favors robust reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Syrah—in fact, some of Chile’s very best are made here. A small amount of good white wine is produced from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.