R oger featured four wines from Apaltagua, one of many great wineries in Chile. This winery specializes in one distinguished, but lesser known, grape varietal; Carmenère. Carmenère is the “Lost Bordeaux” variety, as it was originally planted in Bordeaux, was abandoned there after phylloxera decimated the wine regions of Europe in the late 1800’s. It ripens later than other grapes and was out of sync with picking the other more popular grapes so it was not replanted. What wasn’t known was that it had been exported to Chile where it was confused with Merlot. It was rediscovered 21 years ago through genetic testing when someone was curious why some Merlot plants behaved differently. Now the Carmenère is thriving in Chile and is made into some exceptionally good wines in the hands of wineries like Apaltagua.
He also had wines from Talinay and Carmen wineries.
Where: Vineyard Wine Market (map), 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA. (706) 922-9463
When: Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, 4:30-6:30PM. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, 3 to 6 pm.
Cost: Don’t know. He left it out of the newsletter but these average $16.32 so he’ll probably have it at $7 or 8
Here are the wines presented (click to see more):
- Talinay Sauvignon Blanc 2014
- Apaltagua Reserva Unoaked Chardonnay
- Apaltague Reserva Malbec
- Apaltague Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carmen Gran Reserva Petite Sirah
- Apaltagua Envero Gran Resevera Carmenere
Here are the detailed wine notes:
Talinay Sauvignon Blanc 2014 | Coastal California
This wine has a pale yellow colour, and is very clean and brilliant. On the nose it shows an astonishing purity and precision, with the unique mineral character of the Talinay terroir. Balanced by a rich, creamy bouquet it reveals an attractive harmony of freshness, fullness and vibrancy, with in a lingering, elegant finish.
Website
Cost: $18.99
Apaltagua Reserva Unoaked Chardonnay | Casablanca Valley, Chile
A lovely brilliant yellow hue, our Apaltagua Reserva Chardonnay has flecks of green, and is clean and bright. Aromatically, it reveals hints of tropical fruit, such as passion fruit and pineapple. In the mouth it is fresh, with a hint of minerality and a finish that is delicate but elegant, and leaves a persistent note of citrus at the end.
Website
Cost: $14.99
Apaltague Reserva Malbec | Maule Valley
The Huaquen vineyards, with its unique location, produces a Malbec with very distinct characteristics. Bright and ruby red in color, our Apaltagua Reserva Malbec possesses notes of cherry and cassis with a touch of vanilla. The floral notes also give this wine an edge. On the palate it has well-rounded touches of red fruits and plum. It is ideal to drink now.
Website
Cost: $14.99
Apaltague Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | Colchagua Valley,Chile
Our Apaltagua Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon is characterized as being a sophisticated and elegant wine, in which touches of strawberry and cherry are well emphasized. In the mouth, it possesses a delicate, velvet, full-bodied taste, and has a generous lingering finish. 100%Cabernet Sauvignon.
Website
Cost: $14.99
Carmen Gran Reserva Petite Sirah | Maule Valley
Carmen’s style is harmonious and lively, seeking to fully express Chile’s most valuable asset: its fruit. Our wines invite you on a journey through all of Chile’s terroirs, from the Elqui Valley in the North to Cauquenes in the South. Few wineries can offer such a voyage with this singular objective: find the region that allows each variety to find its full expression and essence, and discover the complete range of wines that Chile has to offer.
Carmen Gran Reserva wines are the highest expression of their respective grape varieties and reflect their adaptation to the best chilean terroirs. Multidimensional yet balanced, the wines are packed with character and complexity, yet have subtle notes to engage the nose and palate.
From extremely low yielding single vineyards, Carmen Gran Reserva wines are aged for 10-12 months in French oak barrels, elevating every experience to a special occasion.
Website
Cost: $14.99
Apaltagua Envero Gran Resevera Carmenere | Colchagua Valley,Chile
Red-violet in color, brilliant and vivid, our Apaltagua Gran Reserva Envero shows ripe blackberries, tobacco, and spices. It possesses a remarkable combination of ripe fruit notes and oak mixed with vanilla. Its flavor is juicy, full, and concentrated, highlighting the softness in the mouth and the raspberry and plum tannins with a touch of tobacco. It has a long and lingering finish. 90% Carmenere, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Website
Cost: $18.99
