QOTD: In Situ Reserva Carmenere. Nice price point at around 15 US bones.

And I’d always been pronouncing it “Carmen-air”, not “Carmen-yair”, so I stand corrected.

Paul in VA
noazdad

Strong show big guy! QOTD: I know I’ve had one but can’t remember the names of any- I’l going to try to find the Errazuriz though

Odfjell “Aliara” Carmenere. Also very Cab-like, but still maintains some of the distinctive rustic Carmenere character. You should check out Concha’s high end Carm, “Terrunyo”

Two months ago I went to my local wineshop and they had their “Managers Favorite” on the first rack at the top with a huge sign and arrows. It was Casa Silva 2005 Los Lingues Gran Reserva Carmenere. I decided that since it was friendly enough at $18 to try it. The first time I uncorked it and poured it I fell instantly head-over-heels in love with it. In context I was coming from an ignorant palate full of embarrassing earlier mistakes. I bought another bottle a week ago and decided to give it another spin, it has lost that “loving feeling” just a tad, but still is quite an excellent wine.

I tired the Casillero del Diablo Reserve 2005. I’ve heard it isn’t the best carmenere, but it wasn’t bad for a first. It was worth the try and it went well with the beef stew I made that night.

A big Chile week.

QOTD – I surprised myself checking the records, I’ve never had a 100% Carmenere. However last week I did have a Cabernet-Sauvignon/Carmenere blend, so since you did Chilean Cabs yesterday I’ll combine the two – Külapëlli Vineyard 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère Reserva Especiale. A delicious wine I rated at 89pts, bought in Jan 2006 and a couple of extra years in the bottle did it no harm whatsoever!

QOTD I actually have had Casillero del Diablo & Concha Y Toro. I was excited to see you do this grape and disappointed that no keepers where identified. I am trying to remembers but I got turned on to Carmenere by the couple from the Wall Street Journal.

We have enjoyed both the Casa Silva – Carmenere Reserva ($8.49 on sale) and the Concha y Toro â??Casillero del Diabloâ? – Carmenere ($6.99 on sale) as well as the Veremonte “Primus” Cab/Merlot/Carmenere Blend(which went up substantially in price this year to $18.99). We have been pronouncing it “Car-men-air-a” but we do we know…

You dragged out our first comment after months of “lurking”.

I bought a 2006 Casillero del Diablo Carmenere sometime within the last six months. Itâ??ll be my first carmenere but I donâ??t expect to start drinking any 2006s until 2009 at the earliest. I have too many 2004s and 2005s to try. Some of them are also varietals Iâ??ve yet to try.

QOTD: never had it.

I am into Carmenere in a big way. As I understand it, the grape has only survived in Chile and was mistakenly marketed as Merlot for the many years. If I am not mistaken, it took DNA analysis to make the distinction. (An idea for a blind taste test for a future episode, mayhaps?) I like the Santa Rita Reserve 2005 as well as the Caselliere Del Diablo and Veramonte. Inexpensive and fits the groove in my palate…

It’s funny. I was catching up on about a weeks worth of episodes with a bottle of Carménère from Valle Colchagua. It’s the 2006 Natura. Gotta say…not a fan. The description that they gave on the back of the bottle and the way it tasted didn’t really match for me. And you know who showed up? “Grrr!” The Oak Monster was very in the forefront.

QOTD: I have never had a Carmenere, but promise to try one.

I love Carmenere. Veramonte Primus is my favorite. I’ve had several vintages. It was so remarkable that we decided to plant some when we did a re-plant. It has delivered with fabulous spice flavors. 100% or a blend it’s been great. The funny thing is is it doesn’t present well at all initially (compared to cab or merlot) but develops very well after a few years. It definitely needs acid adjustment, however.

Responding to Richard Bakker…

That Colores del Sol Carmenere is AMAZING!! Especially for the value! Actually the whole line is great… they have a Chardonnay, Sav. Blanc (My favorite), Merlot, and Cabernet! Great great brand!!!

bro man,
carmenere is named for its hue, which resembles a deep garnet (aka: the color carmine), and comes from the dalmatian coast of croatia (similar to primitivo). Italy is growing some serious carm. these days (esp. imana piu from veneto). Incredible mid pallette structure, obvious dark fruit (leather, tobacco, etc.), great acid…
Come to the southwest.
ian

Love the episode on Carmenere, thought you would like to know:
The winemaker that is called the “King of Carmenere” in Chile is named Mario Gueiss, he is making wines for Vina Casa Silva and does an excellent job.
He use to work at Vina La Joya and his wife Joanna still works as the head wine maker.
Two Chilean wineries that are making incredible Carmenre, a grape that not all wineries know what to do with.

Hi Gary, Thank you for the Carmenere episode. Although from Concha y Toro I’ve would have gone for the Casillero del Diablo Carmenere. The last Carmenere I had was a Santa Ema Carmenere 2003. Pretty well balanced, although a bit tannic. And I can’t remember what the Frontera tastes like. So, I’m gonna have to try it again.

i promise

Show did not bring the thunder, probably the wines.
QOTD – Unfortunately I can’t remember the last Carmenere that I had, but I try everything. I find all Chilean wines loaded with vegetables and almost a minty component.

QOTD. I can’t remember the producer of the last Carmenere I’ve had, but I do remember that it was pretty green, too. Too green for me.

QOTD: 2005 Perez Cruz Reserva Carmenere, three days ago. Too bad it was way off though.

Gotta get out and try another one, I’ve had the Frontera and Errazuriz before.

i have tried pretty much all of the concha y toro Frontera lineup and there are all really, really bad, on my taste, i am Chilean and frontera is one of the two wines that make feel embarrassed, the other one is Araucano. Pazzz

1st time Carmenere drinkerr… Wow! you hit the nail on the head! Flemmings bone in rib steak with this 2006 Errazuriz single vineyard Carmenere.. killer with the meal! Not a drink alone wine, must be shared with hearty food and good friends… thks James

My last Carmenere were:
2004 De Martino Legada Maipo Valley

2005 Ventisquero GREY Maipo Valley

I love Carmenere.