Winery - Apaltagua
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Composed and structured, with its fair share of richness manifested as raisin and molasses. Interestingly, the palate rings with acidity, resulting in a feel that’s borderline sharp. But there’s enough fruit and heft to balance things out, and the flavors of cherry, blackberry and cola are nice. A good example of elevated Carmenère (with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Sweet on the nose, with marshmallow, Nestle’s Quick and generic dark fruit aromas. The palate is more snappy and alert, with good but regular berry flavors mixing with chocolate and herbal notes. Juicy and lively across the palate but herbal on the finish.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Simple, with mild vegetal aromas, hints of tobacco and lean red fruit. Typical beet and bramble define the palate, with is textured if not overly flavorful. Finishes dark and smoky, with a shock of green.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Disappointing considering how much I’ve liked this wine in the past. But the ’08 is funky and very much from the old school of Carmenère, meaning it’s dull-edged, thick, herbal and overly earthy on the nose and palate. Just too heavy, roasted and peppery for my liking. With 7% Cabernet Sauvignon.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The bouquet is classic Carmenère, meaning it’s spicy and peppery, with balsam wood, chocolate and wet leaves in the blend. The palate is a bit green, but not so much so that it doesn’t taste good. Finishes a bit raw and hot, with lasting red-fruit flavors that help keep it afloat.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A lot of 2006 basic reds from Chile are on the heavy and flat side. This has heat, horseradish and other baked, hard aromas and flavors to contend with. It’s just a rough wine that’s candied, medicinal and generic.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The aromas of baked apple and light spice are good, but after a bit of spritz greets you the palate does a fast fade. Along the way there’s banana and mango flavors and then a soft but rather hollow finish.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Straight-ahead in style, with red cherry on the nose along with some saucy, marinated aromas. Runs a bit lemony and lean on the palate, but at the surface level it’s solid. Peppery and upright on the finish, with a little bitterness. For the most part, it’s spicy and right. Imported by Global Vineyard Importers.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A bit rubbery and green, but still more solid than problematic. The red fruit on the palate is spunky, as it’s driven by firm, grabby tannins and a lot of acid. Finishes with some buttery wood notes, but it weighs in more racy than heavy. Imported by Global Vineyard Importers.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
For the second straight year, Envero is a more elevated wine than Apaltagua’s basic Carmenère, and it shows all that’s good in the variety. The bouquet blends ripe black fruit with pepper and spice, while the palate is full of plum, blackberry and molasses. It’s big but lively, with ripe tannins and pure flavors. Drink now through 2009.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
