The obscure and nearly forgotten grape number of Bordeaux, Carmenère has been given critical consideration in Chile, with excellent examples to be discovered throughout the nation.
Sharing parentage from Cabernet Franc with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Carmenère tends to show herbaceous notes alongside crimson and black fruits and layers of spice. Like Merlot, Carmenère wines sometimes have silky, supple tannins, and now greater than ever, brisker, fruitier, identifiable types are being produced.
As outcomes from the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards attest, Carmenère is a mainstay in Chile’s Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys, however plantings are spreading with high quality wines to be discovered from Maipó Valley to Curicó. And whereas Carmenère prospers in Chile, the variability is attracting curiosity in different wine producing nations, too.
Scroll all the way down to see the top-scoring Carmenère wines of DWWA 2022
As soon as once more, a glance to DWWA outcomes highlights award-winning Carmenère blends coming from Canada, Italy and South Africa to Hungary and Croatia.
Black Hills Property Vineyard’s varietal Carmenère from the Okanagan Valley, Canada is one to look out for. Awarded a Gold medal for its 2018 classic at DWWA 2021 and a Silver in 2022 for the 2019 classic, the judges describe the wine as ‘divine’ with an understated and chic cool-climate character.
To rejoice Worldwide Carmenère Day this 24 November, see beneath for a choice of top-scoring Carmenère wines from the Decanter World Wine Awards to attempt, with many extra to find on the DWWA outcomes web site right here.
Worldwide Carmenère Day: 15 award-winning wines to find
Chile: Cachapoal
Casas del Toqui, Gran Toqui 2019
Silver, 90 factors | 100% Carménère
Wealthy plum and damson fruits alongside notes of coconut, vanilla, and paprika. Oak dominates the palate. Previous-school however opulent and seductive. Alc 14%
Vik, La Piu Belle 2019
Silver, 90 factors | 44% Carménère, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah
Lavishly wealthy chocolatey darkish fruit with numerous creamy oak. Old skool opulence with a bittersweet end. Blockbuster! Alc 14%
Central Valley
Santa Helena, Alpaca, Central Valley 2021
Silver, 90 factors | 90% Carménère, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Juicy and peppery. Not attempting too laborious. A properly made mix talking of its selection and could be very easygoing. Good! Alc 13%
Casillero del Diablo Reserva, Central Valley 2020
Silver, 90 factors | 85% Carménère, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
A critical wine with smoky crimson peppers, cassis, and blue fruits with a contact of graphite and a dense agency palate. Alc 13.5%
Colchagua
Ventisquero, Vertice, Apalta 2019
Gold, 96 factors | 51% Carmenère, 49% Syrah
Provides shiny darkish fruits, smoky hints, and basic Apalta eucalyptus notes. The palate is crunchy and contemporary with vigorous acidity and advantageous tannins. Younger, however so poised and age-worthy. A significantly spectacular model that may enhance. Alc 14%
Viña Futaleufu, Anun Icon Mix 2017
Silver, 93 factors | 45% Carménère, 30% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Advanced, developed model. Hints of tobacco and roasted pepper with some high-toned floral hints and baked crimson cherry. Lots occurring. Alc 14%
Viña Casa Silva, Gran Terroir, Los Lingues 2021
Silver, 90 factors | 100% Carménère
Deep inky damson fruit with roasted crimson pepper and sandalwood. Juicy and crunchy, with a moreish end. Beautiful stuff. Alc 13.8%
Curicó
Huasu Reserva Especial de Barricas,Teno 2019
Silver, 90 factors | 85% Carménère, 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc
Ripe plum, rusty nail, and balsamic with thyme, rosemary, and violet carry adopted by a creamy textured palate. Alc 13.5%
Maule
J Bouchon, Mingre 2019
Platinum, 97 factors | 40% Carménère, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah
Advanced aromatics of roasted pepper and peas, cassis and crimson berry fruits, with contemporary natural components that work rather well. The palate is juicy and upbeat, with advantageous tannins and a observe of bitter chocolate on the end giving a darkish complexity. Alc 14%
J Bouchon, Canto Sur 2021
Gold, 95 factors | 50% Carmenère, 25% País, 25% Carignan
Vibrant berry fruit aromatics lead by to a contact of resin, mint, wild herbs, and boldo. There’s a very juicy, lifted acidity that carries the upbeat fruit and natural tones completely. A stunning mix, participating and completely different, with a bittersweet end that may work effectively with meals. Alc 13.5%
Oveja Negra, Gran Reserva 2020
Silver, 90 factors | 98% Carménère, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Merlot
Tight nostril with resinous, inexperienced bean aromas. Excellent construction, with agency tannins and a few bretty, meaty components. Alc 13.5%
Terraustral, Pknt Gold Grand Reserve 2020
Silver, 90 factors | 100% Carménère
Roasted crimson pepper, creamy hints, blackberry fruit, and fairly a juicy and vigorous palate. Properly contemporary and rounded. Alc 13.5%
Maipó Valley
Co-op, Irresistible 2021
Worth Gold, 95 factors | 100% Carménère
A deliciously peppery model and lots of wine for the worth! There are engaging varietal aromas: roasted crimson pepper, soy, wealthy cassis, and a touch of mint. The palate is dense, with firm-ish tannins, but rounded and exhibiting a stunning freshness. Spectacular. Alc 14%
Viña Tarapacá, Gran Reserva Biodiversidad 2020
Silver, 93 factors | 58% Carménère, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot
Partaking peppery aromatics, darkish fruit, and a few contemporary leafy notes. Vigorous and alluring. Juicy fruit, a contact bitter-sweet. Alc 13.4%
Canada
Black Hills Property Vineyard, Carmenère, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia 2018
Gold, 95 factors | 100% Carménère
An intriguing, leafy Carménère; layered with daring blackberry, capsicum, smoky tobacco, pepper and spice. Understated and chic with a cool-climate character. Divine. Alc 12.6%
