Wines of Chile - Cool Climate Red Wine Blogger Tasting

For the last few years I've been lucky enough to participate in what I believe is an absolute renaissance in the world of wine. The emergence of "fine wine" in Chile over the last decade or so has been no secret to the wine world, however the production of "small lot" boutique wines that can compete with the best wines from Europe and the premium regions of the U.S. is really something to behold.

As with the previous Wines of Chile "Blogger Tastings" I was able to take part in an online group tasting of eight Chilean wines with a specific focus. This years event was called "RED RED WINE" - (Cool Climate Red Wines From Chile). Below is a picture of the line-up which included four cool climate Pinot Noir's and four cool climate Syrah's.

I must be frank is stating that this was one of the best tastings I've almost ever been through. Every wine was of considerable quality and 7 of 9 I thought deserved a ninety or better on the 100-point scale. What blows me away even more is that 8 of 9 wines are priced under $30. I must have told my wife at least ten times that I was absolutely blown away by the quality of these wines. Wow! I congratulate all 8 wineries on their amazing cool climate reds!

Here are my short tasting notes of each wine. If you want to read the full in-depth review of each, then just click on the linked title of each wine:

2009 Valdivieso Pinot Noir Reserve - Casablanca Valley

Nose: red raspberry, red currant, cranberry, chalky earth, and hints of dried herb

Flavors: red raspberry and black cherry flavors, hints of soil and leather, and a touch of dried herb

Notes: Fresh Acidity, Bold red fruit, hearty

Score: 91 Points

2009 Viña Casablanca Nimbus Estate Pinot Noir - Casablanca Valley

Nose: brambly raspberry jam, vanilla, oak, anise, and hints of sage

Flavors: blackberry, black currant, graphite, licorice, spice, and cedar

Notes: long finish, big dry tannin, cab-drinkers Pinot

Score: 90+ Points

2009 Veramonte Ritual Pinot Noir - Casablanca Valley

Nose: red raspberry, black cherry, red licorice, mineral, smoke, and toast

Flavors: red raspberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, mineral, and subtle hints of oak and spice

Notes: Firm, but very ripe tannin, structured, balanced acidity

Score: 90+ Points

2008 Cono Sur Ocio Pinot Noir - Casablanca Valley

Nose: fresh strawberry preserves, blueberry muffins, and chocolate covered raspberry sticks

Flavors: candied strawberry, blueberry, mineral, red-fruit driven

Notes: Delicious Factor! Sweet tannin, fruit forward

Score: 94 Points

2009 Tamaya Syrah Reserva - Limarí Valley

Nose: luscious black raspberry, blueberry pancake, acacia, potting soil, and barbecued meats

Flavors: black currant, cassis, touch of orange blossom, blueberry

Notes: rich, powerful ,well-made, complex, balanced oak, acid, and fruit

Score: 91 points

2006 Loma Larga Syrah - Casablanca Valley

Nose: black currant, cassis, dried herbs, mineral, soil, scorched earth, and dark chocolate truffle

Flavors: black fruit character, that combines with savory dark chocolate and a touch of rosemary

Notes: bold and aggressive tannin, age worthy, big black fruit, terroir

Score: 90 Points

2009 Undurraga T.H. Syrah - Leyda Valley

Nose: brambleberry, mulberry, vanilla, and hints of "hi-c fruit" almost candied and synthetic punch

Flavors: rich blackberry, creme de cassis, licorice, and graphite flavors.

Notes: slightly spiritous, Aussie-like, chunky tannin

Score: 86 Points

2009 Hacienda Araucano Syrah Reserva - Lolol Valley

Nose: earthy blackberry, eucalyptus, pencil led, and crushed rocks

Flavors: black cherry, rustic blackberry, spice, pepper

Notes: firm and dry tannin, rustic, terroir driven

Score: 89 points

Wines of Chile is an organization committed to promoting the quality and image of Chilean wine throughout the world. It has offices in Santiago, London, and New York, as well as representatives in Canada, Ireland, and Denmark, and also works closely with ProChile to develop and offer promotional and educational programs in Asia, Latin America and Europe. Wines of Chile’s 76 member wineries belong to Vinos de Chile and represent 85% of Chile’s bottled wine exports.