Carmen, Carmenere Gran Reserva, Colchagua Valley

Initially, a brett bomb, but that blew off in about two hours and showed a reasonably friendly yet structured wine absent a lot of the mean green stuff so often found in Chilean wines. Next day, much better, showing Carmenere's trademark chocolate notes, in this case dark chocolate covered cherries with a little Ethiopian coffee. Nice buy for $15 if you're patient.

Ruby rim with black cherry centre; nose of menthol, black pepper, barnyard, heat and plums; palate follows nose with juicy fruit and slight sourness; fuzzy tannins; easy matching wine

Sat, 09/23/17, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA) : N: Vanilla atop earth & flowers, berries underneath, smoke & pyrazines with addt'l air; More to give? P: Med, poss MF, body; Ripe, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which slowly, fairly seamlessly, SOMEWHAT works itself out by the LONG, dk chocolatey finish with the barest hint of bitterness to the very, VERY fine tannins. DESERVES 12-18 mos, then drinking for 3 yrs more, I'd guess. EXCELLENT …

Dark berries, plums, Indian herbs, and a hint of funk fill the nose. Shows a youthful streak on the palate. Full bodied, warm, and good flavor intensity. A subtle note of white pepper is sprinkled through out. It gets juicier and brighter with air. Tasty. 89+

Visual - deep purple, quite opaque, medium legs Nose - very aromatic, dark rich ripe fruit, plummy, oaky, sweetish Palate- dry, full bodied, black plum, long dry slightly acidic finish Good on its own. I served with pan seared lamb chops. Used an aerator. Paid $14.00