Oops Carmenere 2010 750ml

Manufacturer's Notes: Early in the eighteenth century there were six noble grapes of Bordeaux: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. These grapes helped build the reputations of some of France's grandest and most famous wine Chateaux. Then in the 1860's, a devastating root-feeding aphid, phylloxera, abruptly wipes out the vineyards throughout Europe. Later, when the replanting began, only the finicky late-ripening Carmenere proved too difficult to resurrect. There's a good reason the Merlot of Chile doesn't taste like other Merlot. Many are not entirely Merlot, but instead a blend of Merlot and a far more exotic grape: Carmenere, a.k.a. "the lost grape of Bordeaux." Carmenere had been transplanted from France over a century ago before the particularly nasty root louse threatened its very existence. Soon forgotten, the Carmenere grapes grew freely with Merlot grapes and were assumed to be Merlot until, suddenly in 1994, viticulturist Jean-Michel Boursiquit revealed the mistake. Oops!

Although Merlot and Carmenere grapes look alike, Carmenere is something between a Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Carmenere has great depth of deep-purple color, a jammy-fruit aroma, and soft tannins, just like Merlot, but it also has more complexity and earthiness, like Cabernet. Today, these same Carmenere grapes have enhanced the Merlot of Chile for over 100 years add a distinctive style and character to all out (oops) wines.

A spicy splendor with vivid red tones, aromas of red ripe fruit and chocolate, this beauty is well-structured for a smooth finish. Fabulous with gamey meats and lamb.