Variety:Â 92% Cabernet Sauvignon; 6% Cabernet Franc; 1% Merlot; 1% Syrah
Region: Â Maipo Valley, Chile
Cost: Â $26 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Â Deep red with lush cherry, black currant, and blackberry aromas with a touch of tar and smoke. The highly concentrated flavors are framed by firm tannins. The texture is smooth – almost silky – and masks the firm tannic structure that lies below and only appears on the lingering finish. Pair with grilled, roasted, or stewed red meats and game with intense and slightly acidic sauces (tomato or wine) or with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Perfect with most cheeses.
My Review: Â My wife was out of town last week visiting family, so you know that that means – STEAK! Sure, I can have it when she’s around too, but there’s something about buying the largest steak at the store, a potato as big as my head, and enjoying them with a bottle of red wine. Fortunately, I happened to have a wine that specifically said to pair it with grilled meats – the 2014 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon.
In the glass the wine was a deep red, while on the nose I picked up cherry and blackberry with a touch smoke – no tar for me. In the mouth the wine was surprisingly smooth, while still managing to have the advertising firm tannic finish. Flavors of cherry and blackberry were joined by a bit of the black currant that I didn’t pick up on the nose by itself into a wine that was enjoyable to sip, but that I’m definitely glad I paired with food.
Paired with my steak the wine was good, holding up to the steak, which I had lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, and rosemary, and complimenting the wine with dark notes while still being ever so slightly light in the mouth – not thin mind you, but this wasn’t a big, full-bodied wine that felt heavy.
All in all I enjoyed the wine, though I think some of that may have been because of the pairing – don’t think I’d have enjoyed it as much without food or with the wrong pairing, so definitely keep that in mind if picking this wine up. It’s right on the line of being a great value for me, and while I don’t think I’d pay much more for the bottle, I also wouldn’t have felt ripped off had I paid $26 for this bottle, so don’t shy away from it on your store shelves.
Editor’s Note: I received this wine as a free sample for review.
