Yet again a Chilean Cabernet found its way home with me. I’m tempted to do an overview of all the Chilean Cabs I tried… and I may yet do that.
This one is from Veramonte. You may recall that Veramonte Chardonnay was one of my top picks when I did a review of several Chardonnays last summer.
The Cabernet didn’t fair quite as well as the Chardonnay, but it still was OK. This Cabernet is from the Cholchagua Valley, an area from which I’ve already found a couple nice Cabernets. Root 1 and Los Vascos both were quite tasty, but interestingly both also were very intense—if not somewhat peculiar—on the nose. I didn’t find quite that same intensity—nor intrigue—on the nose of the Veramonte. It was basically just a simple, and rather typical bouquet with tobacco and hints of fruit. Call it cherry tobacco if you will. When you smell this wine, you can almost imagine the sweet smell from an old man puffing his pipe of cherry tobacco.
I will say that this is a very earthy Cabernet. The palate has enough oak to drive a nail into. I like oak, but I felt like I was drinking it right out of the barrel. Black cherries, currant and plum also make up the palate. It may have a little bit more fruit than you would expect from a Cabernet Sauvignon. The finish is long and dry.
It ended up scoring an 84 and at $9.99 I think you can do better than this one. But if you’re really into Chilean Cabernet you might give this one a shot.
Wine: Veramonte Reserva
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 84
Price Paid: $9.99
I recently tasted the latest Veramonte sauvignon blanc. What a delightful surprsie. Lots of zingy acidity w/ lemon and lime flavors. It reminded me of any very, very good new zealand SB. I’d rate it a 90+ and I think the price is around, and possibly under, $10.
Another delightful and surprising white I’ve recently discovered is the 2007 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier (80%/20%) with bright acidity again and a very, very agreeable flavor of red grapefruit. I’m down to 2 bottles from my first case and have already grabbed another. It’s young, alluring and full of brightness. I hope you get a chance to try this one from Napa Valley AVA and available here locally in Southern California at a price of $9.99. I don’t see how any other white under $10 can beat this one for wine of the year in my book.
Best,
Dan
Thanks for the comments, Dan. I haven’t had the Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc, I’ll have to try it. I did try the Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier with a seafood soup I had for my Christmas dinner. It recall it was quite good, but I didn’t take formal tasting notes… it was at Christmas dinner afterall.
Tim,
It looks like Wine & Spirits recently awarded the 07 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 91 pts
I spotted this tidbit when reading on the web about a tasting event named “Top Wines Under $10” on Sat 2/23/08. It’s being conducted storewide by a large chain of alcoholic beverages stores here in California and Arizona called BEVMO.The Veramonte SB is one of the featured wines, as well as the the WS 90PTS 2004 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz. The tasting cost is low, pretty much way south of $5. However,if you go, I recommend you bring your own glass because they usually pour into plastic cups, at least that’s what they do at the local store near me. They often serve cheese and crackers, too, but no guarantees. And hopefully we’ll be lucky, and they’ll pour the vintages that won the high scores. 12 noon to 3:00 pm locally.
OK. You’ve convinced me. The 07 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc is on my “to be tasted” list.
I’ve checked the label for this SB and wish to clarify that I should Have been referring to this refreshing wine as the 2007 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc “Reserva”. I haven’t seen nor tasted a non reserva Veramonte SB. Same great price $7.99 to $8.99 locally.
Thanks for the clarification. I’ve also noticed that I never see any wines from Veramonte that aren’t “Reserva”.
OK. I have many pans and one previously unmentioned pick from a tasting on 2/23/08.
The only good news is my pick regarding the ’06 Altos Hormigas Malbec @ $7.99. I concur with the 90 already awarded to this wine from Wine Advocate. Many well-integrated flavors and aromas.
Here are my pans. In the interst of saving others $$$$$, I recommend staying away from these–they tasted like losers to me:
a) ’06 Edna Valley Vineyard Chardonnay @ $9.99
b) ’06 Beringer Third Century Pinot Noir @ $9.99
c) ’04 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz @ $9.99 [WS 90}
d) ’06 Pomelo Sauvigno Blanc @ $9.99
e) ’06 Montevino Pinot Grigio @ $7.99
f) ’05 Nine North 10 Mile Red Table $7.99
Awesome input, Dan. Thanks again for all the good comments.