The weather has started to turn to autumn here and that means it’s time to start drinking some pinot noir! Let’s start the pinot noir exploration with one from Chile.
Five years ago, if you had offered me a Chilean pinot noir I probably would have reluctantly tried it without expecting much. But things are changing when it comes to chilean pinot. They’ve figured out what works for pinot noir in their terroir and they’re producing some nice pinot these days.
Pinot noir is a cool climate grape and Chile’s Casablanca Valley is an exceptional cool climate appellation. And that’s where this Veramonte pinot noir is produced.
The nose on this pinot noir is absolutely fascinating. There’s a really intense cherry aroma, which gives a good base to the nose. Alongside the cherry, you’ll find lots of spice and herb aromas that give this wine a lot of charcter. It does have some mint fragrances, which were a little aggressive at first but once the wine opens up that aroma becomes more integrated and approachable. It also has some black pepper, truffle and cola aromas. The palate has a really nice mouth feel with cherry and raspberry flavors. The acidity is perfect. It finishes with a little bit of nutmeg and cherry.
Wine: Veramonte
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14%
Rating: 88
Price: $13.99
Find Veramonte Pinot Noir with Snooth
Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.