Cyndi Stampf, Pat and Donn Wilson brought the winning wines.
Pat Wilson
August Winetasting for the Tuesday Tasters was hosted by Joyce and Bill Marshall. As a twist, because many members travel at this time of the year, everyone attending was invited to bring a guest along as we went on a trip to Chile. The Carménère grape accounts for the vast majority of wine produced there and is the variety that is synonymous with Chile. We tasted Carménère from three different vineyards, Emiliana, Calina and Concha Y Toro. The Carménère grape originated in Bordeaux, France but is rarely found there today due to a pest infestation that destroyed the vines in 1867. Thought extinct, it was found years later to be thriving in Chile and has a very small showing in Italy, California and the Walla Walla area of Washington.
Natura Carménère, produced by the Emiliana Vineyards, is made with organically grown grapes and is sustainably farmed in the Colchagua Valley. A blend of 86% Carménère, 8% Syrah and 6% merlot, it is deep ruby red in color and robust on the palate with flavors of cherries, spice and black pepper.
Grapes for the 2012 Calina Carménère were sourced from the Calina vineyards in the Talca and Cauquenes areas in the Maule Valley, which is one of the oldest wine regions in Chile. The 2012 Calina is 100% Carménère and has a dark, inky color with intense aromas of ripe black cherries, fresh berries, spice and fresh herbs.
Voted the winner was a Cassillero del Diablo 2013 Reserve from Concha Y Toro vineyards. It was grown in Chile’s Rapel Valley, which is also a producer of other red varietals such as Merlot, Malbec and Syrah. Tasting notes of chocolate, coffee and spice combine with raspberries and blackberries, making it perfect for winter stews or summer BBQ. The story goes that more than 100 years ago, Don Melchor reserved for himself an exclusive batch of his best wines. To keep strangers away from his private reserve, he spread the rumor that the devil lived in his cellars. Hence the name: Casillero Del Diablo, The Devil’s Cellar. Intense and deep purple red in color, it has an aroma of expressive fruit joined with delicate hints of coffee and toast coming from the barrels. The Concha Y Toro website is a fun one with movies, music and stories about the vineyard.
The blind tasting became more interesting when it was revealed that there were duplicate wines, five tastings but only three wines. The winning wine was brought by a guest, Cyndi Stampf, and also by members Pat and Donn Wilson. Cyndi’s wine took first, the Wilsons came in third.
The evening was topped off with cheesecake and coffee.
Until next month, happy tastings.