La Playa Carmenere 2001

La Playa Carmenere 2001 Reserve
Chile, Colchagua Valley ($9)

I know some day I'm gonna find a Carmenere under $10 that will make for a good sipping wine as well as a good dinner wine. Out of all them at the store I was in the other day, this one had the most respectable label. Revealing itself to be from the Colchagua Valley this Chilean wine also is listed as an estate reserve. Grown on 10 year old vines, this blend of 90% Carmenere and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in 8 to 12 months in oak and another 2 years in the bottle.

Dark purple color. Aromas of blackberry jam and bitter chocolate. Lush texture and killer legs make this an attractive wine in the glass. Concentrated ripe dark fruits with a little spice on the palate. Sweet gentle tannins add to the experience. The only negative is the short and somewhat bitter finish. I might have felt some heat too. Good food wine and I'll use it in my meat ragu again soon as it is the best Carmenere I've tasted. My grade: B