Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Nicely done, the 2011 Primus Carmenere stays in the varietal's sweet spot; shows the true character of the grape, without overdoing it. I would pair this one with a double thick, grilled pork chop. Medium to dark ruby color; pleasing red fruit aroma, lightly savory, fine depth; medium bodied, velvety on the palate; dryish, medium acidity, good balance; attractive ripe, red fruit flavors, with a faint touch of dried fruit and sweet oak; medium finish, slightly rounded in the aftertaste. (Tasted: August 12, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
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.