Maule


…in two rather different styles Villalobos Viñedo Silvestre Carignan 2012, Colchagua, Chile (~£18 Les Caves de Pyrene) I like the floral daintiness here, with a whiff of hops alongside the slightly smoky blackcurrant flavours, but there’s also something a little confected – do they still make Cola Spangles? – plus […]

Two Chilean Carignans





Alain Grignon Carignan Vieilles Vignes IGP Pays d’Hérault 2011, Languedoc, France (£7.49 Majestic) Starts off well with a fresh spicy edge, fruit is OK but veering towards the jammy dodger/baked spectrum, and there’s also a muddy vanilla softness. Can we have more spikes please Mr G? B- Miguel Torres Cordillera […]

Wine Tasting Video: Carignan, Carmenere & Malbec


Yali National Reserva Cabernet Franc 2009, Colchagua (£8.19 Morrisons) Has the typical Chilean blackcurrant pastille character, along with quite rich, earthy, chocolatey richness, but ultimately misses out on the Cab Franc fragrance, and feels just too warm and rich. B- Torres Cordillera Carmenère/Merlot/Petit Verdot 2007, Central Valley (£11.99 Partridges, Gales […]

Wine Tasting Video: Seven reds from Chile