Winemaker Notes
Vina Tarapaca Gran Reserva Carmenère is influenced by cold morning and afternoon breezes and the fresh influence of the Maipo River.
It has an expressive, complex and fresh nose, with aromas of spices such as cloves and pepper. It also exhibits subtle vegetal notes of red pepper due to its proximity to the Maipo River. The soils of the vineyard allow it to achieve a round, delicate, full-bodied wine with ripe and soft tannins. The nose and mouth show notes of blackberries, blueberries and plums. It is a tasty, balanced wine with good depth.
Blend: 95% Carmenère, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
A solid carmenere with solid blackberries, dark olives and freshly roasted spices and herbs. Rich and fleshy with a medium-to full-bodied palate that unleashes some white pepper and green herbs. Long, silky and fruit-expressive with a peppery finish.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The leafy 2021 Gran Reserva Carmenere is medium-bodied with moderate alcohol at 13.8% and bright, fruit-driven flavors. It's not very varietal, but it's fresh, juicy and easy to drink, with moderate oak and some dusty tannins.
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.
The Maipo Valley is Chile’s most famous wine region. Set in the country’s Central Valley, it is warm and quite dry, often necessitating the use of irrigation. Alluvial soils predominate but are supplemented with loam and clay.
The climate in Maipo is best-suited for ripe, full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon (the region’s most widely planted grape), Merlot, Syrah and Carmenère, a Bordeaux variety that has found a successful home in Chile.
White wines are also produced with great prosperity, especially near the cooler coast, include Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.