Can Chile's Carmenère Compete With The Best Red Wines of the World? part II

As a variety unique to Chile, it adds a unique touch to many red blends and not just as a stand-alone variety. At Errazuriz, their two icon wines Seña and Don Maximiano both have Carmenère in the blend. Chadwick adds, “Carmenère contributes its intriguing spicy character and gives our wines an extra layer of complexity and silkiness which is very well appreciated by wine lovers around the world.”

Although Carmenère is a distant third in terms of production for red varieties – in the shadows of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – in export markets, Carmenère is gaining a following. Chadwick explains, “The demand in export markets has been strong, today it’s the third most exported grape variety out of Chile, after Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. In Asia it would take second place after Cabernet Sauvignon, as this is mainly a red wine dominated market.”

Maule is the birthplace of Carmenère and according to Julio Alonso Ducci, director of Wines of Chile, Colchagua is currently the largest area and the main producer of Carmenère. He also suggests Cachapoal and Aconcagua as two other regions where high quality Carmenère can be found.

In 2015, wine exports from Chile to China grew by 36% and the vast majority were red varieties with Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère leading the way. One other connection that this variety has to China is that under a different name, Carmenère as Cabernet Gernischt is already popular and being heavily promoted by China’s domestic producers like Changyu and Great Wall. Should Chilean producers consider changing the name when exporting to China to one that is more familiar? It is certainly something for the marketing departments to consider.

My recent tasting in Chile was a revelation about how good Carmenère can be. Below is my top 10 list of Carmenères that can compete with the best red wines of the world (rated out of 100 points):

2012 Concha Y Toro Carmenere Carmín de Peumo, 94 points

2012 Montes Purple Angel, 94 points

2014 Siegel Single Vineyard Carmenere, 94 points

2013 Terranoble Lahuen Rojo Carmenere, 94 points

2008 Casa Silva Microterroir de los Lingues Carmenere, 93 points

2013 Concha Y Toro Carmenere Carmin de Peumo, 93 points

2013 Errázuriz Kai Carmenere, 93 points

2012 Morandé Gran Reserva Carmenere, 93 points

2014 San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Carmenere, 93 points

2014 Siegel Special Reserve Carmenere, 93 points